The family of Hilario Moreno Gonzales has invited the Patriot Guard Riders to be present as Military Honors are rendered for his service to this Great Nation. It is our honor to do so.
PVT Hilario Moreno Gonzales served from Sept 1940 to Sept 1943. He served in WWII in the Pacific. Part of that time he served on PT boats, and John F. Kennedy was his Captain.
After the military, Larry (as he was known to his friends and family) went into masonry and had his own business from 1952 until retirement in 1998, Mt View Masonry in El Monte, CA. He loved his work and worked on many stars homes. Son Larry remembers his dad taking him with him when he was about 6 yrs old to the home of Charlie Chaplin for a job. He taught his sons the business. Hilario enjoyed passing on the skills of his trade to his employees. This allowed them to better themselves and support their families with skills that they may have never had.
The Hero had early contact with a celebrity. When he was a kid he was on the sidewalk and a man came by and stopped.. He noticed that young Larry had no shoes and said "Why aren't you wearing shoes?" Larry said: "I don't have money". The man gave him 5 bucks and said "I'm going to come by next week and check on you, you better have shoes." Larry went and bought shoes for himself and all his siblings and had money left over. The man came back the next week to check and said "Do you know who I am?", Larry said "No sir", the man said "My name is James Cagney".
He loved to read the newspaper and listen to the radio. He loved camping and spending time with his family.
Very much a military family, many in the family also served.
Survived by loving wife of 65 yrs, Beatrice, children Vivian, Larry, Sandra, Patty, Martin and Gina. 19 Grandchildren, 16 Great Grandchildren.
NOTE: This mission posting is to facilitate your voluntary participation in honoring this Military Veteran. For those interested, and all are welcome, we will be accompanying the hero and his family from the church services to his final resting place. 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.
Time Table for Tuesday 22 August 2017:1030 - Stage at Holy Name of Mary Church, 724 Bonita Ave., San Dimas 91773
https://goo.gl/maps/skEduGJK7US2 Please arrive quietly as Mass will be in progress.
1045 - Mission briefing
1100 - Flag line as our hero is transferred to a waiting coach
1115 - KSU to Forest Lawn, 21300 Via Verde Dr., Covina, CA 91724
https://goo.gl/maps/eejv6yiLCfD21145 - Flag line, funeral service with full Military Honors
Curt "Stitch" Bancroft
SoCal PGR Ride Captain818 406-0408
cbptg1@gmail.com
You do not have to be a veteran or a motorcycle rider to attend this mission. Everyone is welcome. We encourage those who do not ride, to attend in your car. If this is your first mission, go to the initial staging area and you will be briefed there by the R/C (Ride Captain). Dress for motorcycle riding or dress casual if you are driving a cage (car). Please feel free to attend any portion of this mission you can. Please ride/drive safely.
