The Patriot Guard Riders have been invited by the family of Mark Joseph Hepp Sr. to participate at his final military honors at Los Angeles National Cemetery. We are honored to respect this request.
Mark began his military career at Fort Ord his MOS was Photo Interpreter Specialist. Our hero served his country, from April 1961 - March 1962. He was assigned to the G2 section of Headquarters, 5th Infantry Division, (F Company, 10th Infantry Regiment). In Augsburg, West Germany. Duties included handling classified charts, graphs, and photos. At the time of his Honorable Discharge from active military duty he was an SP3 Specialist and had been awarded an Army of Occupation Medal and NDSM.
Mark was a graduate of Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo with a degree in Architecture. Early in his career he worked for some large architectural firms. He later started his own architectural firm, Mark J. Hepp, Architects. He was an architect for sixty-two years and served on the Planning Commission of the City of Placentia, and the State of California's Architectural Review Board of Examiners.
Our hero was a man of faith and a devoted family man. he was active in his local parish community, St. Anne's in Seal Beach. Mark was an honored member of the Knights of Columbus achieving a level of 4th Degree Knight. He loved sports, especially football, and was a diehard supporter of Servite High School, Saint Anthony's High School (his alma mater) and Notre Dame University.
Our hero is pre-deceased by his wife of nearly 50 years, Nora Martin, with whom he raised their 7 children. Mark is survived by those seven children; Mark Joseph Hepp Jr., Michelle Grimsley, Melissa McCallick, Martin Hepp, Mathew Hepp, Maylynn Johnson, and Minette Crippen. He was later to be blessed to meet and marry his second wife, Virginia Freeman, who pre-deceased our hero. Mark is also survived and will be missed by his 25 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren.
NOTE: This mission posting is to facilitate your voluntary participation in honoring this Military Veteran. For those interested, and all PGR members are welcome, we will be standing a flag line at the cemetery. Please see the time table if you would like to participate.
Time Table for Monday 21 March 20221215 - Stage at Los Angeles National Cemetery - Parking lot by main gate. 950 S Sepulveda Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90049
https://goo.gl/maps/ADNEcn9U2Y3jS8zR91230 - Mission Briefing
1245 - Join family in assigned staging line.
1300 - KSU to Shelter for Flag line, service and Military Honors
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R/C Steve Blumenfeld aka Captain Chaos
Socal PGR R/C, Santa Clarita
SSGT, USAF, 1970-74
661-212-2284
steveb507alrpgr@gmail.comYou 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 and phones 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.
