The Patriot Guard have been invited by the family of George R Keene to participate at his committal and honors. We are honored and privileged to do so .
George was born April 21st, 1923 in Highland Park, CA. He passed recently on September 12th after nearly a century of good and honorable living on this earth.
At the age of seventeen he enlisted in the United States Navy, March 14th, 1941. After basic training he was assigned to the USS Hopkins as a Water Tender in the boiler room. While serving on temporary duty on a Navy Gig ferrying officers between ships in Pearl Harbor he and his crewmates sought shelter on Ford Island during the Japanese sneak attack. He was wounded by friendly fire consisting of falling flak and therefore didn’t receive a Purple Heart. When he rejoined the crew of the USS Hopkins, that ship was hit by Japanese artillery near Guadalcanal and its blast caused a bolt to fly out of the ship's boiler. New injury, still no Purple Heart. He was also temporarily assigned to USS Reluctant, a cargo ship, nicknamed "Mr. Roberts Ship" It was the inspiration for the movie as the crew was notorious for the hi-jinx of crewmembers while on shore leave.
Our hero was honorably discharged shortly after the Japanese surrender on October 4th, 1945. At that time his rating was WT2C, Water Tender 2nd Class.
Following the war George was hired by The Los Angeles Times in the maintenance and engineering department and eventually became an electrician and remained there until his retirement in 1985. It was while he was wiring up a young lady's work station in the typing pool he met typist, Gwen Smart. They were married in 1955. As there family grew they bought 2 lots in Newhall. One lot was his garden adjacent to the house lot. He enjoyed tending his garden and orchard on the extra lot.
He and his wife of 66 years, Gwen, enjoyed raising a family consisting of daughters Susan and Elizabeth and their 6 children and 9 grandchildren. George was a 34 year member of American Legion Post 507, Newhall California. He was also a proud member of the "Masons". The couple enjoyed travelling the world including England, Australia, and many trips to Hawaii, notably for Pearl Harbor Reunions. George was preceded by his sister, Elizabeth Yarnell, in 2015.
We are honored to join the United States Navy and the "Masons" on the occasion of the committal of this WWII, Pearl Harbor survivor.
NOTE: This mission posting is to facilitate your voluntary participation in honoring this Military Veteran. For those interested, and all PGR members are welcome, we will be staging near the lower chapel inside the gate.
Timeline for Monday, September 27th, 20211015 - Stage at Eternal Valley Memorial Park and Mortuary 23287 Sierra Hwy, Newhall, CA 91321
https://goo.gl/maps/LiUpRMtyz7KinU7z7(Meet near lower chapel inside the gate.)
1030 - Mission Briefing
1045 - Move to Veterans' monument on hillside.
1100 - Flag line for dignified transfer of hero to committal site for military and Masonic honors and PGR Presentation
R/C:Steve Blumenfeld SoCal PGR R/C
USAF veteran SSgt 1970-1974
661-212-2284
You do not have to be a Veteran or a motorcycle rider to attend this mission. All PGR members are 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 Ride Captain (RC). Dress for motorcycle riding or dress casually if you are driving a cage (car).
