Part 1 of 2 PartsThe family of SF2 Claude Ralph Garcia, age 25, and the US Navy, have invited the PGR to honor their Hero with an accompany from the airport as he is transported home to his family for burial, we are honored to do so.
Claude was born on April 27, 1916.
On Dec. 7, 1941, Garcia was assigned to the battleship USS West Virginia (BB-48), which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, when the ship was attacked by Japanese aircraft. The USS West Virginia sustained multiple torpedo hits, but timely counter-flooding measures taken by the crew prevented it from capsizing, and it came to rest on the shallow harbor floor. The attack on the ship resulted in the deaths of 106 crewmen, including SF2 Garcia.
SF2 Garcia is honored with a Purple Heart, Good Combat Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, Expeditionary Medal, American Campaign Medal, Navy & Marine Presidential Unit Citation, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, WW II Victory Medal.
SF2 Garcia was initially MIA and presumed dead but his remains were interred as "unknown" at the Punchbowl cemetery in Hawaii until he was finally identified 80 yrs later on May 12, 2022 and can now be buried in his home state of California and receive his proper military honors.
The Patriot Guard Riders are honored to be a part of bringing this Hero home.
NOTE: This mission posting is to facilitate your voluntary participation in honoring this American Hero. For those interested, and all PGR members are welcome, we will be accompanying the hero and his family from the airport to hand off to the mortuary, approx 63 miles. Please see the time table if you would like to participate.
NOTE: PART 2 THE FUNERAL will be posted when details are available.Time Table for Tuesday, 06 DEC 22:0630 - Stage at Carl's Jr., 5625 W Century Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90045
https://goo.gl/maps/yRBZ5Mi2WFUuEDSw80645 - Mission briefing
0715 - Move to arrival location
0745 - Est KSU to Ivy Lawn Memorial Park & Funeral Home, 5400 Valentine Rd., Ventura, CA 93003
https://goo.gl/maps/aWxRy9w3heHs2LYC60900 - Est arrival at Ivy Lawn
0905 - Flag Line for transfer of Hero from coach to building
RC: Tom Barry
SoCalPGR Ride Captainadmin@armobility.com
714-206-1227
This mission involves an aircraft arrival. Arrival times can change at the last minute so please check this thread for any last minute changes
before leaving.
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 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.
