PART 2 OF 2The family of MSgt. Michael “Ty” Kettenhofen, and the US Army have invited the Patriot Guard Riders to accompany this Hero to Riverside National Cemetery for his final honors. We are privileged to do so.
MSgt Michael “Ty” Kettenhofen passed away from injuries sustained during a training jump at Homestead Air Reserve Base in Homestead, Florida on 13 March, 2023.
Ty, as he was known to family, friends and teammates, joined the Golden Knights in the fall of 2020. He served with both the Gold and Black Demonstration teams and as cadre for the 2022 Fall Assessment and Selection program. The Golden Knights are based at Fort Bragg in North Carolina, but the unit spends much of the winter training at Homestead in south Florida.
The unit is part of the Army’s recruiting command, aimed at stirring up interest in Army service among those who witness its soldiers perform highly technical parachute maneuvers at air shows and other events across the nation each year.
Ty was a highly experienced parachutist with more than 1,000 career jumps with the Army, and he was a graduate of the Army’s Jumpmaster School. He enlisted in the Army in 2006. He was an 11B combat veteran and served multiple combat deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan.
Lt. Col. Andy Moffit, the Golden Knights' commander, described Kettenhofen as “loved, admired and respected” among his Army peers, who valued his “sense of humor, joy of life” and impressive parachute skills.
Ty was a beloved father, son, brother, teammate, and friend. Ty is survived by many family members a multitude of friends, as well as his Golden Knights team. His overall love of life will be missed by all who knew him.
TIMETABLE FOR MONDAY, 27 MARCH 20230830 - Stage at Evans Brown Mortuary, 27010 Encanto Dr., Menifee, CA.
https://goo.gl/maps/j9MnCpLK6b1PH42370845 - Mission briefing.
0900 - Flag line for dignified transfer of Hero to the coach.
0910 - KSU to March Field Air Museum, 22550 Van Buren Blvd, Riverside, CA.
https://goo.gl/maps/D7Cw6Q4te16R5FSM70930 - ETA at March Field Air Museum.
0945 - Flag line for dignified transfer of Hero into the museum.
1100 - Services begin.
1200 - End of services.
1210 - Flag line for dignified transfer of Hero to coach.
1220 - KSU to Riverside National Cemetery.
1230 - ETA at RNC, Staging 9.
1300 - KSU to Amphitheater for flag line and military honors.
R/C CRAIG LANE, USMC AKA JIP-C
SOCAL PGR RIDE CAPTAIN
bigredroadglide@yahoo.com760-900-0388
“Never again will one generation of veterans abandon another.”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.
