Sue Morse, PGR member and daughter of World War Two Navy Veteran Chief Petty Officer William Duane Sherman, has invited the Patriot Guard Riders to accompany him on his final voyage. It is our honor to do so, as America has lost another hero and a piece of history in his passing.
Duane, as he prefers to be called, was born on 30 Dec 1922 in Newton Kansas. He was the only child and spent his childhood going back and forth between LA and Kansas. Duane joined the Navy shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor at the age of 19. He was assigned to the USS Lamson DD-367 immediately after boot camp and served from 1942 to 1945 as a Sonar Technician. While on the USS Lamson Duane saw battle at Guadalcanal, New Britain, New Guinea, the Battle of Ormoc Bay, and the Leyte Gulf. The battle of Leyte was the first time Kamikaze’s were used and was the largest naval battle of the war. During the Battle of Ormoc Bay the Lamson was struck by a kamikaze killing 21 and wounding 82. Duane was awarded a Purple Heart for injuries he received 7 Dec 1944.
After his discharge in 1945 went to Pepperdine University and graduated in 1951 only to be recalled by the Naval Reserve during the Korean War to be a sonar instructor. In 1952 he returned to civilian life where he met and married Lois who was performing as a singer at a jazz club. It was love at first sight. They had two children, Sue and Tim. They were married 57 years till her passing in 2009. Duane worked for Hughes Aircraft for 30 years. His hobbies were golfing and traveling. He was also an Angels fan.
As his 96th birthday approached he was asked by Sue what he wanted for his birthday. His reply was it would be nice to receive a birthday card. Sue got the word out which resulted in 100,000 birthday cards and letters.
Duane was preceded in death by his beloved wife Lois. He is survived by daughter Sue Morse a PGR member, son Tim Sherman, and two Step Grandkids, Doug Morse and Bob Morse.
Thank you for your service to our country Duane. We can never repay you and others of the “Greatest Generation” and shall forever be indebted to you.
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 Fullerton to Riverside National Cemetery, approx 41 miles. Please see the time table if you would like to participate. For those who would rather go directly to the cemetery, we will meet you there.
TIMETABLE FOR MONDAY, 14 JUN 2021:Special Request by family that everyone wear blue, if you are able, in honor of our Hero1100 - Stage at Cal State, Parking Lot G, W Campus Dr Fullerton, CA. 92835 (Yorba Linda Blvd just west of 57 on the south side of Yorba Linda Blvd)
https://goo.gl/maps/sJhk24QaBdFQjxRV61120 - Mission briefing
1130 - Flag Line as Hero arrives in private vehicle
1145 - KSU to Riverside National Cemetery, 22495 Van Buren Blvd., Riverside, CA. 92518
https://goo.gl/maps/jsFHdCUwPSKjxkNx8 (approx 41 miles)
1300 - ETA RNC, Missing Man, Hero and Immediate family to assigned Cortege. PGR to Staging Area 9.
1330-KSU to assigned shelter for Flag Line, Service and Military Honors.
It will be warm so please dress accordingly and hydrate, hydrate.R/C CRAIG LANE AKA JIP-C, USMC
SOCAL PGR RIDE CAPTAINbigredroadglide@yahoo.com
760-900-0388
R/C RICK LUNA AKA MOONMAN
SOCAL PGR RIDE CAPTAINlunardad@msn.com
626-378-2304
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). Please feel free to attend any portion of this mission you can. Please ride/drive safely.
Please remember that 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 the ones we are honoring.
