Patriot Guard:

This is the final Itinerary for the Patriot Guard Mission to honor Joe Bray, 64, of Albemarle ,N.C. who gave all on 12 November 2006. It is a go; all contacts have been made.

Services are on Thursday 16 November at 10:00 am at the Annunciation Catholic Church in Albemarle, NC with interment to follow at Salisbury National Cemetery. 

Ride Captain: Your Ride Captains for this mission are Ron Faggart “Triker-reb”, ronniereb@hotmail.com, (704) 463-1678 or (980) 521-7241; assisted by Michael Haluski “Grnpaw” haluskim@yahoo.com, (910)273-4215.

Weather: For Albemarle =   Showers likely, mainly before 10am. Partly cloudy, with a high near 56. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.  For Salisbury = A chance of rain, mainly before 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 56. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible. Dress warm and bring/wear your rain-gear.

Staging Time & Site: Behind Hartsell’s Funeral Home no later then 8:30.

Map link to: Hartsell Funeral Home, 522 N 2nd St, Albemarle, NC

http://www.google.com/maps?hl=en&lr=&q=hartsell+funeral+home&near=Albemarle,+NC&cid=0,0,1601462703180827596&ll=35.357793,-80.197707&spn=0,.02&iwstate1=form:to&iwloc=A&f=d&daddr=522+N+2nd+St,+Albemarle,+NC+28001,+USA&sa=X&oi=local&ct=directions-to&iwloc=A

Map link to: Annunciation Catholic Church, 416 N 2nd St, Albemarle, NC

http://www.google.com/maps?hl=en&lr=&q=annunciation+catholic+church&near=Albemarle,+NC&radius=0.0&cid=35350000,-80200278,9920379611195879610&li=lmd&z=14&t=m

Departure: The riders will depart the staging area at 8:55 and proceed to the Church, approximately 150 yds south.

Interment:Immediately following the service the procession will proceed to Salisbury National Cemetery, approximately 30 miles.

Map link to: Salisbury National Cemetery, 501 Statesville Blvd, Salisbury, NC

http://maps.google.com/maps?oi=map&q=501+Statesville+Blvd,+Salisbury,+NC

 Iron Horses if you can.  Bring flag poles & flags if you've got them; flags on bikes would be great. If you're not on your bike, cars are welcome, bring all the extra flags you've got.

Please remember that our mission is to respect and honor this fallen soldier and his family. Stand tall and proud as we salute this Veteran and fellow Patriot Guard Rider!

Joe Bray 64 year old Veteran, friend of all Vets. Succumbed to Lung cancer on Sat. night.Joe was disabled majorly to events from Vietnam and had suffered silently for years after several heart attacks, 2 strokes and defeating a bout with throat cancer.

Joe served in the US Army from 1962 to 1971. During his tours, he served as a Paratrooper, then Combat Engineers and as an Infantryman/ "tunnel-rat" in Viet Nam.

After becoming disabled, Joe migrated from Wilkes-Barre PA. to albemarle NC and worked tirelessly all the time he was able to be up for the different Veterans Organizations. With the VFW, DAV, and mainly with The American Legion. He has held most Post level Offices and was currently the Asst. Adjutant for American Legion Post 520 of Albemarle , NC. Joe was one of the very driving forces in getting the Legion Riders, The Sons of the Legion Squadron 520 and even the Auxilliary started for Post 520. He was a mentor to all new Legionaires and especially to me as I began to get started as Interim Commander while we recruit and get our Charter for the Sons.

Joe learned of the PGR from me and signed up right away. At that time, I didn't know he had aquired Lung Cancer. Although he wasn't able to go a lot, Joe had to have a mission report from all the NC missions we made that he could not. Some may remember him from the Dickenson Mission in Fayetteville. He made the ride with me and survived the heat like the trooper he always was.

Although Joe was sick and on assisted living, he spent most of the monthly funds he had left after necessities on phone bills and postage for calling and writing to the state & National Veterans organizations, Congressmen and anyone else he could get to about the plight and mistreatment our Vets get from our VA and loss of benefits to our troops and Veterans.

As Joe's "handle" says it all about him...."I'm Army"

Joe was there when we needed him and now our Brother needs our help.

Thanks for listening

Ron Faggart "Triker-Reb"

34191 Springdale Drive

New London, NC 28127