The family and friends of Technical Sergeant Mark A. "Smitty" Smith, 30, have asked the Patriot Guard Riders to Honor their loved one and we are honored to do so.
Mark was born and raised in Bakersfield, CA, and graduated high school there. After graduating high school
Mark enlisted in the Air Force in July 2000. In 2008 he crossed trained to become a Flight Engineer on a
HH-60G Pave Hawk Helicopter. He was assigned to Beale AFB, Moody AFB both in the US and Kadena
AB, Japan. He was a Veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom, New Dawn and Southern Watch. He was also awarded Air Medal w/Five Oak Leaf Clusters and Air Force Commendation Medal.
Mark is survived by his wife Jessica, and two daughters, Victoria & Gabrielle.
This will be a mission of several parts, at the Hero's arrival back in California he will be transported to Bakersfield, there will also be a part for the Mass, and transporting back to the airport to travel to Arlington, VA for interment at Arlington National Cemetery.
NOTE: This mission posting is to facilitate your voluntary participation in honoring this American Hero. For those interested, and all are welcome, we will be accompanying the hero and his family from the airport to the funeral home. Please see the time table if you would like to participate. For those who would rather go directly to the funeral home, we will meet you there.
Part 1 Part 1 Time table for Wednesday, 28 AUG 13: Los Angeles portion: 1430 - Stage Bob Hope USO, 203 World Way, #200, Los Angeles, CA 90045
http://tinyurl.com/23p4mq5 1445 - Mission brief
1500 - Move to arrival area
1600 - Est KSU to Flying J, 42810 Frazier Mountain Park Rd., Frazier Park, CA
http://goo.gl/maps/2153f 1745 - Est arrival at Flying J for transfer to Bakersfield Riders
Los Angeles RC:
Craig H DonorGySgt USMC (ret)
Cell 909 208 7703
pgrgunny-001@yahoo.com
PGR SoCal State Captain
Dream like you will live forever.
Live like there is no tomorrow.
Bakersfield portion: 1500 - Staging: Chevron Station, 1999 Taft Hwy (Hwy 99 & Taft Hwy), Bakersfield, CA
http://goo.gl/maps/bbaej 1530 - Mission briefing
1600 - KSU to Flying J, 42810 Frazier Mountain Park Rd., Frazier Park, CA
http://goo.gl/maps/2153f 1700 - Est arrival at Flying J
1800 - est KSU to Bashams Funeral Care, 3312 Niles St., Bakersfield, CA
http://goo.gl/maps/yzfmZ 1915 - Est arrival at Bashams
Bakersfield RC:
Larry GillettePGR Assistant State Captain,
Southern San Joaquin Valley
SoCal PGR Regional R/C
AFSR Foundation
Bakersfield National Cemetery Committee
larry@bakersfieldpgr.com
(661) 978-1559
Remember "It's About the Veterans"
Not about Personalities. Clubs or Bike Models
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.
Please remember to share your condolences with the family at this link:
http://www.patriotguard.org/ALLForums/tabid/61/forumid/11/postid/2126765/view/topic/Default.aspx
