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  • Wilferd Eureka Phifer, 92, USMC, Korea, FLO/RNC, 18 July 202: July 18, 2024

Author Topic: Wilferd Eureka Phifer, 92, USMC, Korea, FLO/RNC, 18 July 2024  (Read 3187 times)

Kyle Millager

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The Patriot Guard Riders have been invited by the family of Wilferd Phifer to attend Final Military Honors for their Hero. It will be our privilege to fulfill their request.

Wilferd enlisted in the United State Marine Corps from 1949-1953. At the time of his Honorable Discharge, he was a Private First Class.  His duty station was on the beach in Honolulu where he was assigned to be the Lifeguard as a Military Police Officer.

Our Hero was an athlete and gifted in his studies. He graduated high school at the age of 16 then went to college for two years before joining the Marine Corps. He used his GI Bill benefits to pay for his dental school and opened his dental practice in 1956. He went from high school to military service to licensed dentist in only six years.  He retired in 2004.  Besides his scholastic achievements, our Hero was also an accomplished athlete excelling at many sports, including water skiing, snow skiing, golf, bowling and billiards. For many years he participated in extreme sports.

Dr. Phifer is survived by his wife of nearly twenty years, Cheryl Williams (they met at a Senior Center Dance) and her children, Steve and Julie Hauck. Our Hero is also survived by his children and their spouses: Susan Jensen (Björn), Natalie Creasman (Mark), Janine Medlin (Stephen), Steve Phifer (Melanie) and Jeff Phifer. Wilferd was also the proud grandpa to 16 grand/great-grandchildren. Our Hero was preceded by his mother, Anna Faye Gaston Mull.

NOTE: This mission posting is to facilitate your voluntary participation in honoring this military veteran.  For those interested, and all PGR members are welcome, this is a flag line only (FLO) mission at Riverside National Cemetery.  For those who would like to participate, please see the timetable and we will meet you there.

TIMETABLE FOR THURSDAY, 18 JULY 2024

1030 - Stage at Riverside National Cemetery, 22495 Van Buren Blvd, Riverside, CA 92518  (Lemay Blvd near the restrooms on the right).   https://maps.app.goo.gl/UAoAQTYkLzPAM6nn7

1015 - Mission briefing

1030 - Await arrival of our Hero’s cremains in a family vehicle and KSU to assigned cortège

1100 - KSU to assigned shelter for flag line and military honors.

R/C Steve “Capt Chaos” Blumenfeld
SoCal PGR Ride Captain

SSGT USAF 1970-1974
steveb.pgrcc@gmail.com
661-212-2284

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.
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