On Saturday, August 19^th, 2006 the family and friends of William G. Sherbondy paid their last respects and final goodbyes. At the request of Billy Sherbondy, one of the three sons of the deceased, the PGR was invited to be guests at the final services. William G. Sherbondy was a U. S. Marine in WWII, and went to God on August 10^th, 2006.  This was a mission that was executed with a short notice of 3 days. Also there where several last minute changes we had to adjust to. This mission was especially important because Billy Sherbondy rides a Honda Valkyrie and has himself participated on PGR missions.

Before we even had the staging point decided on our first change came in the information that Mr. Sherbondy would be cremated and that there would be no internment. Our mission was set up to be in attendance at the funeral home. The Walmart parking lot was chosen for the staging point due to it’s being only 1.8 miles south of the Brooks Funeral Home. Permission to use the Walmart parking lot was granted and the postings and emails where sent out. On Saturday morning the weather forecast was for scattered showers and storms, the weather held out for us and was warm and humid but dry. By 09:30 hours the PGR members started arriving and PGR member George Gross proved to be an invaluable source of information. PGR member Gross informed us that the family had decided to proceed to the cemetery in Alverton, PA after the funeral service to have a memorial service for their mother who had been buried only 5 months ago. And the family had asked that the PGR escort them to the cemetery.

The final briefing was given at 10:20 hours and the PGR members in attendance proceeded as a group to the funeral home. At the funeral home the PGR members assembled their flags and as they found their positions to stand I met with the funeral director and the family. At this meeting the sons of Mr. Sherbondy invited the PGR members in attendance to the luncheon after the service. They where very insistent and I gave the members the choice to attend the lunch or not. Several of the PGR members are friends of the family and elected to stay in the funeral home for the service. The remainder of us formed up outside and stood honor with the flags. While we where standing a Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reporter showed up and took several photos and talked with us for a while. In the Sunday edition a very well selected photograph of George Gross was published.

After the ceremony we had the honor of being led to the Alverton Cemetery by Billy Sherbondy on his Honda Valkyrie. The service for the mother was performed and our condolences where given to the Sherbondy family for the loss of both parents. Billy Sherbondy once again led us to the Jimmy Paul Restaurant where we had lunch with the family. Many times the family of William G. Sherbondy expressed their gratitude and appreciation of the PGR for being there to honor their father.

With 21 PGR members in attendance the members did an excellent job of responding to the last minute changes. At all times the members forming this honor guard where professional and respectful. Special thanks go to Pat and George Gross for providing much needed information is very timely manner. Thanks to all the members who made this mission and made it occur with out any problems. Everyone knew what they had to do and did it quietly and with respect and honor. Thank you all, for your time and efforts to show honor for one of our nation’s heroes.

It was obvious that the Sherbondy family and friends really loved Mr. Sherbondy and had genuine respect for the man.  To them I wish to express our heartfelt appreciation for William G. Sherbondy’s role in protecting our country and defending freedom.