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Monday, May 1, 2006 was a normal day back to the office, recovering from a weekend with my PGR family at Koyote Ranch and the first Texas State Meet and Greet when the phone rang. DoubleD, the Texas State Captain asked if I was up to the task as Ride Captain for a confirmed mission to honor Cpl Jason Daniel. I was honored at the request and without hesitation accepted the mission. From past experience I knew I would not be able to honor Cpl Daniels properly unless I solicited the help of ersonName>Bill PapaersonName> (Assistant Ride Captain) and my other brothers and sisters from ALR Post 593. Without a moment to spare phone calls had to be made if we were to pull this mission off without a glitch. My first calls went to the Sunset Funeral Home and the Ft Sam Houston National Cemetery. The news was not good, the Internment was to be conducted on the laceName>NationallaceName> laceType>CemeterylaceType> grounds which are open to the public and not subject to military law however; the service was scheduled for a chapel located on Post (Ft Sam Houston). How was I going to get a bunch of dirty bikers on a Military Post when half of them didn’t wear helmets, half didn’t have military privileges and 100 percent didn’t own a reflective vest? I made my third call that day to Tony Lupo, the AMEDD Provost Marshal, someone I had worked with in the past. I posed the problem, asked if he had a working relationship with the Post Provost Marshal and could he facilitate a meeting between the three of us. I posted my initial thread informing PGR of the tentative itinerary for Fri. mission.
May 2nd: Bill and I met with Tony Lupo and Ray Acuna the post Assistant Provost Marshal. We explained the mission of the PGR and our hopes of supporting the Daniel’s family by honoring Cpl Daniel a fallen American hero. After an hour we gained the confidence of the Provost Marshal and permission to enter post wearing helmets, eye protection, gloves and boots. Mr. Acuna would utilize his motor patrols to escort the PGR across post to the chapel and back off post to the cemetery.
May 3rd: Bill spent the majority of the day reconing the area for a rally point, access to the post and location of the chapel. He spent some time at the Sunset Funeral Home with Don Dearing discussing the family’s wishes and time schedule for the Friday service. He met with Mrs. Daniel and thanked her for permission to attend the service and pay respect and honor her son. Mission planning was completed Wednesday night and the Final Itinerary was submitted to DoubleD for posting.
May 4th: I was contacted by Chapel Services, who informed me that the service had been moved from the AMEDD Chapel to the Gift Chapel located on the opposite side of Ft. Sam Houston. I made arrangements with Lt. Houston (Dusty) the DoD escort that would provide free passage to the chapel and back to the cemetery. We kept in touch the rest of Thursday as times and locations changed from one minute to the next. Bill and I met Thursday evening to finalize the mission. Post 593 would provide 100 flags that would be split into two separate vehicles. One vehicle would be used to supply flags at the chapel. Midway between the Service, Bill would depart with the second vehicle and half of the riders to the cemetery and setup in preparation of the precession. As I continued to watch the threads, confirmations of mission attendees were coming in from all over Texas; we were going to have a great showing. There were some concerns of weather conditions across Texas, sever thunderstorms with high winds and hail had ripped through the I-35 corridor and were becoming a nightly occurrence. These are not favorable conditions for a five hour ride regardless if you’re caged or not. One group out of the Dallas/Ft. Worth was to depart around 0100hrs Friday morning heading for San Antonio. I posted my third thread asking everyone to be aware of weather conditions, be safe and to remember that these missions can’t continue if it jeopardizes the safety of our members.
May 5th: Came with a vengeance, the weather was violent, the black sky shattered by lightening, much like the lives of the Daniel’s family. I woke early Friday morning to a blue Texas sky, perfect weather to honor Jason. I checked the mission threads and was relieved to find that with heavy heart the crew from Dallas/Ft. Worth had turned back and was safe at home. I arrived at the rally at 0730, Papa arrived shortly there after. We departed the rally point to make one last recon of the cemetery and the pavilion that would be used during Internment. When we returned to the rally point the riders were starting to assemble. As I walked around introducing myself I recognized some riders from previous missions and the Texas Meet and Greet; some I had never seen and welcomed them. By 0830 all riders had assembled, 60 riders and three cagers; Keeper and husband from Harlegen; Scout and his crew from Killeen; riders from Fairfield; VFW riders from Houston,; an Odessa representative; local San Antonio riders, Bigshell from Floresville and ALR 593. At 0845 the safety brief was given and mission explained. At 0900hrs our riders unfurled their flags and departed for the short two mile ride where we were met by Dusty and escorted across post to the Gift Chapel. Upon arrival all riders moved to the vehicle carrying the flags and assembled in front of the Chapel by 0920hrs. The Post Commanding General arrived and thanked the PGR for there support to the Daniel’s family. At 1000 hours the service started and at 1020hrs Papa, half the riders and the second vehicle departed the chapel escorted by Dusty in route to the cemetery. Service ended at 1100 and Cpl Daniel was moved to the coach for his last ride and Internment at Ft Sam Houston National Cemetery. Three San Antonio Police Motor Patrols followed by Dusty and the PGR led the precession across post to the cemetery. Upon arrival a corridor of Red, White and Blue was set up by Papa and his riders. Bikes were parked; riders dismounted; and additional flags were gathered to fill in the corridor. Approximately 20minutes later the Army Caisson arrived at Pavilion 4 with Cpl Daniel. Special attention was given to the Caisson; well ahead of its arrival, flags were secured and a slow steady salute was given and held until the Caisson departed so as not to spook the horses. After the service was over a quick debrief and thanks was given, Bill (Bigshell) and I presented the Army colors to Mrs. Daniel, offered our thanks for her permission to attend and our condolences for her loss on behalf of the PGR.
Let me take this time to thank everyone who braved the weather and took time out of their lives to honor Cpl Jason Daniel. Special thanks to my Wingman ersonName>Bill PapaersonName>, Carl Bell and Matt Pettrie for road guard duties, ersonName>Debi AguirreersonName>, Rick White and Chris for moving the flag from site to site. I apologize for the length of this ride report but felt it necessary to convey the teamwork that goes into this endeavor. I hope I have accomplished the same.
To the Daniel’s Family, thank you for allowing the Patriot Guard to honor your son Jason an American Hero. Our hearts and prayers go out to you. God Bless You.
Brad “Hawkeye” Pierce
Ride Captain |