Part 1 of 2 Parts
The family of Christopher Louis Roybal, 28, has invited the PGR to be there to receive their Hero as he returns to California, and to attend his funeral and military honors. We would be honored to do so.
Christopher is one of the 58 victims who perished in the shooting at the Route 91 Festival in Las Vegas. He was there celebrating his birthday, and would have been 29 on Monday, October 9th, the day he is returning home. He immediately sprang into action when the shots rang out and helped a woman over a barrier so she could run. The woman was screaming "MY FRIENDS!!", he told her he would help them, turned around to run back to them, helped several more over the barrier and then was shot.
Christopher served in the US Navy as a K9 handler from 2007 to 2012 when he was honorably discharged at the rating of MA3 (Master at Arms/Petty Officer 3rd class). During his Navy career he was assigned to an Army Special Forces unit and served in Afghanistan with his beloved partner Bella, who saved his life many times. Christopher was awarded the National Defense Service medal, Global War on Terror service medal, Good Conduct medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation medal, Navy/Marine Corps Overseas service ribbon, Combat Action medal, Afghanistan Campaign medal, NATO medal, and Army Commendation medal.
After serving together, Christopher was able to make arrangements for Bella to come to the States and he adopted her. Due to her war injuries and age, she lived just 1 year in retirement, but that was a beautiful year of love and play and just a normal life for a K-9 Hero, and most important she spent that year with her partner Christopher.
Christopher grew up in the Corona, CA area and recently relocated to Colorado, but he will be coming home to Corona for burial. After the military, Chris, as he was known to family and friends, worked for Crunch (fitness) as a trainer and eventually a manager. He had gone to Colorado in the spring to manage their location in Colorado Springs, CO. He loved the work, and loved staying in shape himself.
Chris also loved music and would sing all the time, and especially loved singing Karaoke whenever he could. He is described by everyone as just a really good guy who was always upbeat and making others smile, even though he still suffered from the effects of combat. That combat training is what made him immediately take action when bullets began raining down on the crowd he was in at the music festival, and helped others before himself. That was the kind of man Chris was.
Christopher is survived by his father Sam, step-mother Missy, his mother Debby, and siblings Jillian, Nicholas, Nina, Jacob and Jayson.
NOTE: This mission posting is to facilitate your voluntary participation in honoring this Military Veteran. For those interested, and all are welcome, we will be accompanying the hero and his family from the airport to the mortuary, approximately 19.5 miles. Please see the time table if you would like to participate. For those who would rather go directly to the mortuary, we will meet you there.
Time table for Monday, 09 OCT 17:1430 - Stage at Jack in the Box, 1840 E. Holt Blvd., Ontario, CA
https://goo.gl/maps/m8SeLScoziF21445 - Mission briefing
1515 - KSU to arrival area
1545 - Est KSU to Thomas-Miller Mortuary, 1118 E. Sixth St., Corona, CA 92879
https://goo.gl/maps/8ogw4BBuXam1630 - Est arrival at Mortuary
1645 - Est Flag Line for dignified transfer of Hero from coach to building
R/C Mike "Joker" Courtright
So Cal PGR Ride CaptainVietnam Vet - K9 Handler
mokynanapo@sbcglobal.net
714-321-3356
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. 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.
