The family of Eric Van Duke 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.
In 1990, Eric was admitted to the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in English. Eric proudly service in the U.S. Navy 1994 – 2014. Eric held multiple positions of responsibility on the USS GEORGE PHILIP (FFG 12), USS DULUTH (LPD 6), USS SIDES (FFG 14), and the Fleet Combat Training Center Pacific. From 2001 to 2003, he served as the Operations Officer on USS COMSTOCK (LSD 45) where he managed 78 personnel in the operations, maintenance, and services of all Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Combat, and Intelligence Systems (C5I). From 2003-2004, Eric served as the Staff Operations Officer on Amphibious Squadron One, where he managed the actions and operations of 29 ships in support of initial ground and air operations for Operation Iraqi Freedom. From 2004-2006, Eric was the Human Resources Officer for the Naval Surface Forces Pacific. In 2006-2007, he served as the Executive Officer (XO) on the USS GREEN BAY (LPD 20) as Acting Commanding Officer and Administrative/Human Resource Manager for 250 personnel. In 2007-2009, he served as the Executive Officer (XO) for USS CLEVELAND (LPD 7) overseeing over 800 personnel. From 2010-2014, Eric served as the Strike Force Interoperability Officer of the Naval Surface Warfare Center Port Hueneme, where he was the Officer-in-Charge of the San Diego detachment. He retired from the Navy in 2014 as a Commander (O-5) after 20 years and 6 days of service.
Throughout his life, Eric demonstrated an exceptional sense of commitment, purpose, and discipline, physical and mental strength. He was a man of integrity, honesty, resilience, and was a mentor to many. Most importantly, he was a man of deep love, with a quick-witted and silly sense of humor that we remember him for. Many of his qualities and much of his character he credited to his parents, Frank and Felicity Gould, who he proudly said he "adopted" at the age of 15.
Eric married Loan Le on November 14, 2009, on a beautiful sunny San Diego day at the Hotel Del Coronado. Together they enjoyed road trips, the San Diego Zoo and Wild Animal Park, Padres games, weekly Friday dinner dates, and quiet nights in their beautiful home together. As long as they were together, they were happy and content.
Eric is survived by his wife Loan, parents Frank and Felicity, brothers Iain and Christian, sister Cher, niece 4 AiKrystine, Aunt Gloria, first cousins Angelique and Joe, and Uncle Joe Sr. Eric is loved and will be deeply missed every day by his family and friends.
The family is requesting an accompaniment from the mortuary to Miramar cemetery.
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 mortuary 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 4 August 2020:1100 – Stage at El Camino Memorial, 5600 Carroll Cannon Road, San Diego, CA. 92121
https://goo.gl/maps/myDCRMeCwnPdd9hcA1120 – Mission Briefing
1140 – Flag Line for honorable transfer from Mortuary to Coach.
1145 – KSU for accompaniment to Miramar National Cemetery, 5795 Nobel Drive, San Diego, CA 92122 (Distance of 4 Miles)
https://goo.gl/maps/5iT7CL4jdmh9hqD181200 – ETA at Miramar Cemetery. Flag Line for honorable transfer from coach to horse and carriage.
1230 – Flag Line for Military Honors and Funeral Services
R/C Lorenzo Lizarraga
SoCal PGR Regional Ride Captain
619-971-2236 llizarraga@yahoo.comYou 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 will be 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 casually if you are driving a cage (car). Please feel free to attend any portion of this mission you can. Please ride/drive safely.
