Part 2 of 2 PartsThe family of STM2 Jesus Francisco Garcia, age 21, and the US Navy, have invited the Patriot Guard Riders to attend the funeral of this Hero finally in his home state after being Missing In Action (MIA) for nearly 80 years. We are honored to be there.
Steward's Mate Second Class Garcia entered the U.S. Navy from Guam and served aboard the USS Oklahoma (BB-37) during the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. He was killed in the attack, and although his remains were initially recovered, they could not be individually identified at that time. He was initially buried as an "unknown" at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, Hawaii. In 2015, DPAA used advances in forensic techniques that prompted the reexamination and individual identification of one set of remains as those of STM2 Garcia.
STM2 Garcia was finally identified in 2018 and is now being returned to California for burial. He has only 1 known survivor, a great nephew Alfred Garcia. We, the PGR, will be there to honor and remember this Hero forever.
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 church to the cemetery, approx 23 miles. Please see the time table if you would like to participate. If you prefer to meet the procession at the cemetery please feel free to do so.
Time Table for Wednesday, 06 OCT 2021:1015 - Stage at Santa Sophia Church, 9890 San Juan St, Spring Valley 91977
https://goo.gl/maps/sM2bQwrANBpc8aVG71030 - Mission briefing
1115 - Est KSU to Ft Rosecrans National Cemetery, 1700 Cabrillo Memorial Dr., San Diego, CA 92106
https://goo.gl/maps/dKvz6T4B9cAfs9KL6 (approx 23 miles)
1300 - Est arrival at Ft Rosecrans after drive-by Hero's memory sites
1330 - Flag Line, Service and Military Honors
R/C Stacey McCarthy “Lil Bit”
So Cal PGR Ride Captain(619)277-5176
smoerschell@yahoo.com
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.
