The family of MARQUIS “MARK” FRANCIS ANDREWS, 82, GUNNERY SERGEANT, UNITED STATES MARINE CORP, FEBRUARY 02, 1941 – JUNE 26, 2023, has invited the Patriot Guard Riders to attend services and accompany their HERO to Bakersfield National Cemetery on FRIDAY JULY 07, 2023. We are Honored to accompany him and his family.
Mark was born in South Norwalk, Connecticut, February 02, 1941. He attended Chula Vista High School and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on August 28, 1958, at the age of 17. Mark, who served 25 years, remained full of pride in his military service. He was Honored to be an active duty and retired member of the USMC. Among his many military experiences, he fought in Vietnam and served at the U.S. Embassy in the Republic of Ghana in West Africa. Following his retirement from the military he worked as a parachute rigger at Naval Air Weapons Station, China Lake, California for 26 years, residing in Ridgecrest for 35 years.
He logged over 170 jumps as a skydiver and was an avid racing fan traveling with the NASCAR tour catering for the race teams. He collected baseball cards and loved his hobby working with 7 ½ gauge trains often volunteering at Christmas time on the Sagebrush Short line Railroad, offering train rides for children in the community. Mark volunteered at the China Lake Naval Museum Foundation and was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Fraternal Order of the Eagles in Ridgecrest, CA.
Awards include Expert Rifle and Pistol badges, Navy Unit Commendation, Vietnam Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal with 7 stars, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Sea Service Deployment, Parachute insignia and Vietnam Cross for Gallantry.
He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Jeanne (Nierman) Andrews of Ridgecrest; his children Monique (Andrews) Elsworth of Crystal River, Fla; Bill Andrews and Elizabeth Leahy of Ridgecrest and Christopher Andrews and Andrea (Garcia) Andrews of Fort Worth, Tx. His Grand Children Jack Craycraft, Katie Kehlenbrink, Nick Elsworth, Allie Elsworth, Brooke Elsworth, Ethan Elsworth, Faye Andrews, Louis Andrews, Taylor Andrews, Riley Andrews and his 10 Great Grand Children.
There will be a funeral Mass at Saint Ann’s Catholic Church on Thursday July 06, 2023, at 1000 am.
Full Military Honors will be held at Bakersfield National Cemetery, in Arvin, California on Friday July 07, 2023, 1045 am.
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 attending both the funeral mass and his Military Horors and service on successice days. Please see the time table if you would like to participate.
TIMETABLE FOR THURSDAY JULY 06 2023:0815 – STAGE – Holland and Lyons Mortuary, 216 S. Norma St. Ridgecrest, CA 93555.
https://goo.gl/maps/yPLivCnUqTCCNDYM90830 – MISSION BRIEF –
0850 – FLAG LINE - for dignified transfer of HERO from Mortuary to coach.
0900 – KSU – to Saint Ann Catholic Church, 446 W. Church St, Ridgecrest, California 93555, a very short trip.
https://goo.gl/maps/uK5CQ2AXk4yvCcha70905 – FLAG LINE – for dignified transfer of HERO from coach to chapel.
0910 – DISMISSED UNTIL- 1055
1000 – MASS BEGINS -
1055 – ASSEMBLE AND PREPARE FOR FLAGLINE -
1100 – MASS COMPLETE -
1105 – FLAG LINE – for dignified transfer from chapel to coach.
1110 – KSU – to Holland and Lyons Mortuary for flag line and dismiss.
1200 – Celebration of Life reception at Fraternal Order of Eagles #3243, 301 W. Ridgecrest Blvd, Ridgecrest, CA 93555.
https://goo.gl/maps/ETR4bbrjArEAsueG7TIMETABLE FOR FRIDAY JULY 07 20230730 – STAGE – Holland and Lyons Mortuary, 216 S. Norma St. Ridgecrest, CA 93555.
https://goo.gl/maps/yPLivCnUqTCCNDYM90745 – MISSION BRIEF –
0755 – FLAG LINE - for dignified transfer of HERO from Mortuary to coach.
0800 – KSU – to Bakersfield National Cemetery, 30338 E. Bear Mountain Blvd, Arvin, California 93203. (Approximately 96 miles)
https://goo.gl/maps/gxhJQ4S2nfzg7wsM61000 – Arrival at BNC
1035 - MOVE TO COMMITTAL SHELTER -
1040 – FLAG LINE - for transfer of HERO from coach to shelter for Military Honors.
1115 – DISMISSED –
*NOTE – ALL TIMES ARE APPROXIMATE.
***NOTES*** Temps are expected to be in the mid-nineties very HOT, please hydrate the days before and bring plenty of water and perhaps hydration vests for cooling.
Scoti TomlinsonSoCalPGR Ride Captain
760 499-4950
tomlinsonscot@yahoo.com
IWV Patriot Guard Riders on FB
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.
