The family of Dennis Michael Joyce has invited the Patriot Guard Riders (PGR) to attend the Military Honors of their loved one as he makes his final journey. It will be our honor to do so.
Denny was born on 11 May 1949 and entered into Eternal Rest on 1 December 2021.
Denny joined the U.S. Navy in 1969 and was Honorably Discharged as a Petty Officer 1st Class (E-6) on 30 June 1978. He is a Vietnam Veteran and worked in the Seabees. He was stationed in the Pacific on Ifalik, Lamotrec and Yap in Micronesia, and on Midway Island, and was in Sicily; Rota, Spain; and Iwakuni, Japan.
Denny was married to his wife, Mary, for 52 years. He loved to dive, surf, hunt, fish, trap, and hike, play the guitar, and sing. He helped repair the ITT cable in the waters around Midway Island. He was an active member of the Lion's Club, and their local parish. Denny did Search and Rescue Operations for many years and taught Search and Rescue classes with The Civil Air Patrol, where he helped scour the desert for pieces of the Space Shuttle Columbia and helped find small plane crash survivors and victims all over the state. He was known for not giving up until he "brought them home”.
Denny worked as an Operations Manager at Anza Electric Co-op. Sixteen and a half years ago, he was injured in a car accident that left him a quadriplegic. Thanks to the care of his family, his indomitable and unconquerable spirit, and an amazing team of doctors, nurses, and therapists, he had sixteen and a half years of "one more day". His grandson Tristan has said for the longest time, "Grandpa is the best listener, because he never gets up and walks away!", a small insight into the humor, love, and esteem we all held him in.
Denny is survived by his spouse, Mary Ann; Children: Michelle (James), Maureen (Jeff), Kristofer (Julie), Jeremy (Nikki), and Gabriel; Siblings: Butch, Carol, and Paula; 10 grandchildren, and 3 great-grandchildren (and one more on the way).
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 26 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.
Time Table for Wednesday, 12 January 2022:1115 – Stage at St. Martha’s Catholic Church, 37200 Whitewood Rd, Murrieta, CA 92563
https://goo.gl/maps/XJjJeevvuNBNXvuj81130 - Mission Briefing
1200 – KSU to Riverside National Cemetery, 22495 Van Buren Boulevard, Riverside, CA 92518
https://goo.gl/maps/7URDbGNovhtFDAbf61230 - Estimated arrival at Cemetery
1245 - KSU to assigned Shelter for Flag line, Service and Military Honors
R/C Mike "Joker" Courtright
So Cal Patriot Guard, Ride Captainmokynanapo@sbcglobal.net
714-321-3356
"Standing for those who stood for us"
Only 2 defining forces offered to die for you:
Jesus Christ, and the American Soldier:
One died for your soul, the other one died for your freedom.
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.
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.
