This is Part 2 of a 2 Part Mission
The family of JOHN WILLIAM POWERS, CHIEF YEOMAN, UNITED STATES NAVY, DECEMBER 10, 1934 – DECEMBER 30, 2023, has invited the Patriot Guard Riders to attend services in Ridgecrest on JANUARY 20, 2024, and accompany their HERO to his final place of rest at Miramar National Cemetery on Monday JANUARY 22, 2024. We are Honored to accompany him and his family.
John was born December 10, 1934, in Grand Rapids, Michigan and passed away peacefully in his home in Ridgecrest on December 30, 2023, due to health complications.
He began his career in the United States Navy serving aboard ships specializing in Logistics from August 15, 1952, through March 15, 1974. During his 20+ year career, he was stationed in Japan where he met his wife Sakiko Powers. After they married, they moved to Honolulu, Hawaii where they gave birth to their first child, Toni Powers-Kendrick. This is also where he retired out of the Navy to move onto his new career as a Field Representative with the Social Security Administration then later transferred to Seattle, Washington where they gave birth to their second child, Terri Powers-Hand and then continued his service with Social Security in Ridgecrest, California office for 13 years. In Ridgecrest, they gave birth to two sons, John Paul Powers, and James Joseph Powers. He then went to work at China Lake Naval Base as a Human Resources Representative specializing in federal retirements, finally retiring from federal service on January 3, 1997. He then decided to try entrepreneurship and opened JP Enterprises, providing federal retirement consulting services to the public, contracting with the federal government, providing retirement seminars which he eventually retired from for the last time.
His local memberships include the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, and the Loyal Order of Moose.
He leaves behind his loving wife of 55 years, Sakiko Powers, daughter, Toni Kendrick of Bakersfield and her children Erika Kendrick, Tiffany Kendrick, Breahnna Moreno and Alyssa Moreno and two great grandchildren, William and Ezequiel, daughter, Terri Hand of San Diego with her son, Tyler Hand, son, John P. Powers of San Diego with wife Jacquie Powers and their daughter Vianna Powers, and son, James Powers of Bakersfield with wife Sunmi and two beautiful daughters Evelyn and Emily.
NOTE: This mission posting is to facilitate your voluntary participation in honoring this Military Veteran. For those interested, and all PGR members are welcome, please see the time table if you would like to participate. We will be accompanying this Military Veteran from Ridgecrest to Miramar National Cemetery with stops in Fontana and Fallbrook.
TIMETABLE FOR PART #2 22 JANUARY 2024 TO MIRAMAR NATIONAL CEMETERY0700 – STAGE – Holland and Lyons Mortuary, 216 S. Norma St. Ridgecrest, CA 93555
https://maps.app.goo.gl/xWE1RXGszw9KT56V70715 – MISSION BRIEF
0730 – FLAG LINE – for dignified transfer of HERO from Mortuary to coach and KSU to Stop#1 - SHELL GAS STATION, 3864 Sierra Ave, Fontana, CA 92336
https://maps.app.goo.gl/utsyQu8chLJY4zeEA1015 – ARRIVE – At Shell Station (111 miles approx.). Patriot Guard Riders from Southern California PGR will take over at this point for the remainder of the trip and Riders from Ridgecrest will return to RC.
1030 – KSU – to Park N’ Ride 4730 CA-76, Fallbrook, CA 922028
https://maps.app.goo.gl/Y2M6KfYnaGZbc1WE81200 – est. Arrival and handoff for Leg 3
1230 – est. KSU to Miramar National Cemetery, 5795 Nobel Dr., San Diego, CA 92122.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/jdyDxfi9XDGoLtzEA1330 - EST ARRIVAL TIME
1415 – Flag Line, Final Honors
*NOTE ALL TIMES ARE APPROXIMATE.
Leg 1 Ride Captain:
Kevin GreenSoCal PGR Ride Captain
775-835-3725
Leg 2 RIDE CAPTAIN
Craig LaneSoCal PGR Ride Captain
bigredroadglide@yahoo.com
760-900-0388
Leg 3 Ride Captain
Paul "Round Trip" McCarthySoCal PGR Ride Captain
pmccarth1@gmail.com
619-838-9123
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. Remember, cemeteries are hallowed ground. Show respect to all who are there, not just the ones we are honoring.
