The family of Raymond Alfred Santana has requested the assistance of the Patriot Guard Riders in honoring their hero by attending his final military honors at Riverside National Cemetery. We will proudly accommodate that request.
Ray served in the United States Marine Corps from March 1968 - June1969. At the time of his honorable discharge, he was a Lance Corporal (E-3). Our hero’s MOS was 0351, Anti-Tank Assault Man. He served in An Hoa, Vietnam as a machine gunner. He was temporarily blinded by a sniper’s bullet that grazed his head. He was returned to combat with his unit before healing and put back on the perimeter at night with his vision still impaired. To compensate for his blindness, his unit lashed him to his weapon. He was later injured when a fellow Marine was killed and fell onto Ray’s spine causing serious permanent injury. He was told to “walk it off.” His records were lost and his recovery was long. Our hero has fought the effects of this injury, PTSD, and rampages of Agent Orange. He and his wife fought the system for years to be finally surgically repaired with more than a dozen surgeries. He also suffered from Agent Orange related issues. He was finally rated at 70% in 2006. In 2008, his rating was increased to 100%. In 2011, his disability was increased another 30% when he had his prostate removed revealing cancer, presumptively from Agent Orange exposure. After the terrorist assault on 9/11, his PTSD became even more unbearable. As a result, he spent countless hours in therapy at several VA facilities.
Following his service to America our hero dreamed of becoming a law enforcement officer. He was limited in ability to keep working. He was able to find work at Boeing Corp working as a Space Shuttle Quality Control Supervisor/Manager. In 1992, his physical and emotional pain sent him into early retirement. He did find enjoyment in photography and anything “techy.” He was affiliated with the Antelope Valley veterans and their Vietnam Wall and helped in the organizing the AV’s first Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans parade.
Ray is survived by his wife, Linda, their five children, 12 grandchildren, and 9 great-grandchildren. Our hero was preceded in death by his first wife, Jeanette, and half of his 12 siblings.
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 TUESDAY, 02 APRIL 20241045 - Stage at Riverside National Cemetery, 22495 Van Buren Blvd., Riverside, CA.
https://goo.gl/maps/T2kTjRpwu7Egba1W81100 - Mission briefing.
1115 - Flag line for hero’s arrival in the mortuary’s van.
1145 - KSU to assigned shelter for flag line and military honors.
Steve “Capt Chaos” Blumenfeld
SoCal PGR Ride Captain
SSGT USAF 1970-1974
steveb.pgrcc@gmail.com
661-212-2284You 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.
