The Patriot Guard Riders are honored that the family of Walter D. Ehlers requests our participation in his funeral and military honors.
Walter was born 7 MAY 21 in Junction City, KS and grew up on a farm. On 4 OCT 40, Walter and his brother, Roland joined the Army. In 1942 Walter and Roland fought together through 3 major campaigns from North Africa to Sicily. Roland was wounded and sent to recover and Walter was sent to England to train for D-Day.
Please follow this link to the story of this amazing hero.
http://www.homeofheroes.com/brotherhood/ehlers.html On 14 DEC 44, Lieutenant General John C. H. Lee presented SSG Walter D. Ehlers the Medal of Honor for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty on 9-10 JUN 1944, near Goville, France. But all the honors could not bring back his greatest loss during the war. His older brother, Roland, who was assigned to a different Army company, was killed on D-day. In an interview in 2003 Walter said his brother, Roland, was the bravest man he ever knew, his hero. Not a day goes by he doesn’t think about him.
After the war Ehlers worked as a benefits counselor for the Veterans Administration. But for the first 16 years on the job he didn't tell coworkers that he had been awarded the Medal of Honor. They found out when the White House called him at work with an invitation to an event then-President Lyndon Johnson was hosting. Ehlers then accepted speaking engagements to tell his story and promote patriotism. In 1994 at the 50th anniversary of D-day in France, he spoke before a group that included President Clinton and Queen Elizabeth II of England. Walter was invited to every presidential inauguration since Eisenhower. He spoke all over the world to student, military and other groups.
In addition to the Medal of Honor, Ehlers received several other awards while in the service, including a Silver Star, Bronze Stars and three Purple Hearts for injuries suffered.
Walter is survived by his wife, Dorothy; daughters Cathy Metcalf and Tracy Kilpatrick; son Walter Jr.; sisters Leona Porter, Marjorie Justin and Gloria Salberg; 11 grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
Note: This notice is to facilitate your voluntary participation in honoring this military veteran. For those interested all are welcome. We will accompany the hero and his family from Preston Simons Mortuary to Riverside National Cemetery. Please see time table if you would like to participate. For those that would rather go directly the cemetery, we will meet you there.
Time Table for Saturday, 08 MAR 141115 hrs Stage at Preston & Simons Mortuary, 3358 Mission Inn Ave, Riverside, CA 92501.
http://goo.gl/CvKSMe 1130 hrs Mission Briefing.
1145 hrs Flag line for dignified transfer to coach.
1200 hrs KSU to Riverside National Cemetery, 22495 Van Buren Blvd, Riverside, CA 92518. (PGR staging #8)
http://goo.gl/maps/yG71P1300 hrs KSU to Medal of Honor Memorial for flag line and military honors.
R/C: Paul (PeaceKeeper) Anderson
SoCal Ride Captain
Downey, CA
310.717.3656
panderson15680@aol.com
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.
Please remember to post your condolences for the family at this link:
https://www.patriotguard.org/showthread.php?387354[attachment deleted by admin]
