The family of Gregory Valero has invited the Patriot Guard Riders to be present to honor their hero for his service to his country. It will be our privilege to do so.
Greg passed away at the age of 80. Cause of death was service-related. He was considered 60% disabled for most of his life. Greg recently increased to 100% disabled several months before his passing. Agent Orange was a part of his passing.
Greg was a Lance Corporal in the Marine Corps. He served from 1962 until 1967. He served in Vietnam in 1964 and 1965. He was awarded the Purple Heart.
Greg loved working on old Porsches, cooking, and listening to music (jazz). He played tennis in his younger years. He loved the beach and surfed a lot in his younger years. He loved helping children. He was a Speech and Language Therapist for elementary age children for the majority of his career, and worked with disabled children for many years. He ended his career in education as Principal of Mueller Elementary.
Greg never met a house project that he didn't tackle himself, and had a tool for everything.
He is survived by his wife of the last 10 years, Norma Castilla; his stepson Alan Rojas; his three daughters, Shea Okeefe, Lauren Balben, and Lindsey Sadenwasser. He is also survived by seven grandchildren: Kian, Ella, Alene, Elijah, Aidan, Jack, and Tristan. Greg had six siblings but is survived only by two remaining siblings, Judy Tisdale and Sister Felicia Sarati.
The family is requesting the PGR to accompany them from the church to Miramar. His church service will be at St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church at 6628 Santa Isabel St, Carlsbad, CA and will be interred at Miramar National Cemetery at 5795 Nobel Dr., San Diego, CA.
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 accompanying the hero and his family from the mortuary to the cemetery, approximately 22 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 FRIDAY, 23 SEP 20221245 - Stage at St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church, 6628 Santa Isabel St., Carlsbad, CA. Please arrive quietly as service will be in progress.
https://goo.gl/maps/MGJiMsSRwGvLbcsD61300 - Mission briefing.
1330 - KSU to Miramar National Cemetery, 5795 Nobel Drive, San Diego, CA.
https://goo.gl/maps/HadWKK9LMMLodAsK61430 - (Est) Arrive at Miramar National Cemetery.
1500 - Flag Line, funeral service with full military honors.
R/C Lorenzo Lizarraga
SoCal PGR Regional Captain
619-971-2236
llizarraga@yahoo.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 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.
