The family of Steven Matthew Craig has invited the PGR to honor an Iraq War veteran who served in the US Navy. It will be our honor to do so.
Navy Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Steven Craig and his brother, Army Staff Sergeant Ryan Craig, are part of the fifth generation of their family to serve our Nation. Both were critically injured while on deployment. Steven was deployed to Fallujah, Iraq. In 2008, Steven suffered a severe traumatic brain injury from an IED explosion. He underwent a lengthy recovery and was beset with lifelong effects of the attack. Upon returning home October 2008, he began teaching CTM (Combat Trauma Management) to corpsmen preparing to deploy. After serving as an instructor, Steven was assigned to Naval Medical Center San Diego where he quickly became Section Leader of the Emergency Department.
In 2011, he served aboard the USS Cleveland (LPD-7) on the Pacific Partnership, a Humanitarian Mission, an interagency, international mission, aimed at providing a fast, coordinated response should disaster strike the Pacific Ocean region. Steven's PTSD became too severe and he was placed on medical leave. Unfortunately, after undergoing surgery to repair injuries received as a result of the IED blast, he succumbed to sepsis.
Steven loved to fish and be in nature. He enjoyed off grid camping, smoking meat, cooking, woodworking, and making/launching rockets with his children.
Steven is survived by his wife Sara; children, Summer, Cooper, Maci, and Bentley; parents, Ronald and Jennifer Miller, and brother SSgt. Ryan Craig (Army Ret). He is preceded in death by his little sister, Katie “Big Head” Christensen.
NOTE: This mission posting is to facilitate your voluntary participation in honoring this military hero. For those interested, and all PGR members are welcome, this is a flag line only (FLO) mission at Miramar National Cemetery. For those who would like to participate, please see the timetable and we will meet you there.
TIME TABLE FOR MONDAY, 16 SEPTEMBER 2024:1300 - Stage at Miramar National Cemetery, 5795 Nobel Dr, San Diego, CA 92122
https://maps.app.goo.gl/TjhGauErYGvF6rNL71310 – Mission briefing
1320 – Move to cortege lane; post Flag Line for arrival of Hero, family, friends
1330 – (Est.) Flag Line for arrival of Hero and family
1355 – Move to committal shelter (location at briefing); missing warrior formation to accompany cortege to shelter
1400 – Flag Line for dignified transfer of hero to; followed by Full Military Honors
Ted Tomaszewicz [Mr. T.]
Ride Captain – Patriot Guard Riders – SoCal201.970.5546
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 driving a cage (car). Please feel free to attend any portion of this mission you can. Please ride/drive safely.
Please remember our mission is to stand tall and silent, and with honor and respect for our Heroes. No talking, smoking, or cell phone use during the flag line or service. Please keep radios off and engine noise to a minimum. Observe the 15 MPH speed limit. Remember, cemeteries are hallowed ground. Show respect to all who are there, not just those we are
