The family of Sgt. Joshua Ashley & Sirius have requested the presence of the Patriot Guard to welcome a Hero home. It will be our honor to do so.
This mission is both a sad, as well as a happy occasion. Sirius was the K9 that was assigned to Sgt. Joshua Ryan Ashley.
Sirius was first deployed with Sgt. Joshua Ryan Ashley to Afghanistan on May 27th, 2012. This was Joshua's 23rd birthday. They went out on a 12 day mission.
There team was assigned to the 2nd MEF, 2nd Law Enforcement Battalion. They went to work with MARSOC a Marine Special Ops Team.
On July 19th, 2012 Josh and Sirius were crossing a small river when Sirius jumped across to the other bank. Sgt. Joshua Ashley stepped on a hidden IED in the mud, and unfortunately that is where Sgt. Ashleys life ended. Sirius knew something was wrong right away, and had some trouble adjusting to any other handler.
After the passing of Josh, Sirius had some adjustments to make.
A little while later Sirius met another handler, Cpl. Eric Roethler. They became a team for 2 more deployments to Afghanistan. Once back in the United States, Sirius started showing signs of PTSD.
One day while playing with his stress ball Sirius developed an attack of lock jaw from stress of everything that he had seen and been involved in. The jaws locked on the stress ball and had to be surgically removed.
Cpl Roethler told the Marine Corp that if the dog was going to be retired, he wanted to adopt him. After investigating, the Marine Corp found out that Josh had already filed papers before they had ever been deployed for adopting his partner.
Joshua had told his Mom "No matter what I want Sirius coming home with me"
Joshua and Sirius were awarded the top K9 team award of the year for excellence.
Joshua's mom asked for us to be there for her and her 2 sons arrival, along with Sirius.
Tammy felt it was only fitting as we brought her son home, now its time to bring his partner Sirius home to live with the family.
"This will be our Honor. "No one gets left behind".
NOTE: This mission posting is to facilitate your voluntary participation in honoring this Military Veteran. For those interested, and all are welcome. Bring your flags and smiles to welcome this hero to his new home. Please see the timetable if you would like to participate.
NOTE: This mission involves the arrival of an aircraft so times could change. Keep checking posting before you leave to go on mission.
Time Table for Saturday 27 Feb. 2016:1045 - Stage: Bakers Drive In, 2695 Inland Empire Blvd., Ontario, Ca., 91764
https://goo.gl/maps/SFVnY2Yvsnm1100 - Mission Briefing
1130 - KSU to Ontario Airport Terminal 2 Delta Airlines. 2500 E Airport Dr, Ontario, CA 91761
https://goo.gl/maps/CspC8U1BQX121200 - Flagline for our Hero
1230 - KSU to bring Hero home
R/C Mike "Joker" Courtright
SoCal PGR - Ride Captain
mokynanapo@sbcglobal.net714-321-3356
"They have stood for me since the day I was born,
I will stand for them until the day that I die"
Link about Sirius:
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/afghanistan-tale-american-war-dog-marine-handler-torn-apart-death/You do not have to be a Veteran or a motorcycle rider to attend this mission. Everyone is welcome. We encourage those who do not ride to attend in your car. If this will be your first mission go to the initial staging area and you will be briefed there by the R/C (Ride Captain). Dress for motorcycle riding or dress casually if you are driving a cage (car). Please feel free to attend any portion of this mission you can. Please ride/drive safely.
