The Patriot Guard Riders have been asked to be part of a Gold Star Member presentation of a shadowbox containing the dress uniform created by one Gold Star Wife for another Gold Star Wife. We are very honored to be part of this memorial event.
SSgt Bryan Burgess’ (KIA - 29 March 2011 - Afghanistan) Gold Star Wife, Tiffany Burgess, will receive a custom shadowbox constructed by another Gold Star wife, Seana Arrechaga, whose husband (SFC Orfen Areechega) was also KIA on the same day. Of note, these are two of six soldiers who died after being surrounded by approximately 500 Taliban soldiers. Burgess and Areechega are part of “The Hornet’s Nest” documentary.
The shadowbox holds SSgt Burgess’ dress uniform and is being flown from Nashville to San Diego to be presented to his wife, Tiffany. Southwest Airlines has graciously given cabin space to transport this shadowbox in the cabin instead of being placed in the cargo hold during flight. Southwest Airlines has also kindly offered to fly Seana to California to present the shadowbox along with Southwest employee, Tim Mullen, who will also be accompanying the shadowbox.
It is a very rare opportunity we are being offered to accompany these family members and to attend such an honorable presentation. The USS Midway has graciously granted parking and visitation rights to the PGR to attend the ceremony after the accompaniment.
We will stage at Spanish Landing Park and move to the Southwest Cargo area to await the shadowbox transport vehicle and then accompany it to the USS Midway. We will also stand a flag line behind the family on the USS Midway as the presentation is made.
TIMETABLE FOR TUESDAY, 24 OCTOBER 20230930: Stage at parking lot of Spanish Landing Park (West), 3900 N Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA. Link:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/KTkfMPzASd8XFoZP71000: Mission briefing.
1015: Estimated KSU USS Midway, 910 N. Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA. Accompaniment time will be under five minutes.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/SeNUCc6qgV6b2cVGAChuck "Machine" Johnson
USAF SERE Master Instructor,
MSgt Ret US Army Sgt SEA 67-70
SoCal PGR Ride Captain
American Legion Riders Post 416 “Heroes rarely get happy endings. They give them to other people.”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.
