Update 1540 cdt 16 June 08 Big rock

Patriot Guard Riders:

This is the Final Itinerary for The Patriot Guard Mission to Honor Special Forces/Green Beret MSgt David McCaughan, USAR (Retired),  53 of Virginia Beach, VA, who passed from this world on Tuesday, June 10, 2008, from additional complications after suffering a stroke.  After 23 years with the U.S. Army (Reserve) Special Forces, David continued his Special Operations Service to this nation as a Master Parachute Rigger, Civil Service for the Naval Special Warfare Community in Hampton Roads.

Mission Summary:

This mission is a go; most contacts have been made. This mission will cover Memorial Services; at Naval Amphibious Base Chapel, Little Creek, Virginia Beach, VA followed by an escort to Albert G. Horton Virginia Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Suffolk, VA.  Dianne and Mike McCaughan (Wife and Son) have graciously invited the Patriot Guard Riders to honor and show our respect to MSgt McCaughan and their family. Services and interment are mid morning and mid afternoon on Tuesday, June 17, 2008. 

Mission Ride Captain(s):  Mission Ride Captain is Woody “RustPicker” Wagner and can be reached at (cell) 757-348-5406; (home) 757-495-7826.  Mission Co-Ride Captain Is Dave “Doc B” Bozak. Tail Gunner to be assigned.

Weather:  The current weather forecast for Virginia Beach/Suffolk on Tuesday,  June 17, 2008 is partly cloudy to mostly cloudy skies with scattered thunderstorms mainly in the morning. Highs are approximately 87°F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph, with a 40% chance rain.  Dress appropriately for warm and wet conditions. Steel Horses desired;  Bring flag poles and 3’x5’ U.S. Flags; rigged for an Honor Escort Mission (to exceed Highway speeds). Bring all the extra flags you’ve got.

MISSION Ride Protocol for Escorts (June 17^th, 2008):

All PGR contingent will NEED to have in their possession a valid Drivers License with appropriate Endorsement (M/C); Proof of Insurance; Valid Registration; MSF BRC Card. Appropriate Gear for base will be DOT and/or SNELL approved Helmet; Full fingered Gloves; Long Sleeves (brightly colored) Shirt/Jacket/Coat; Full Length Trousers; Footwear that protects and covers feet and ankles; Reflective Vest MAY BE REQUIRED to gain Base Access for Bike Riders (throw one in your saddle bag). All bikes will present a uniform appearance. Transit from staging to all Points will be conducted in a staggered formation at 2 second intervals and adhere to Hampton Roads PGR Standing Orders (Rev 01/08).   

Ride protocol is as Follows:

1.      Bikes: Large (3’x5’) U.S. Flags rigged for Honor Escort

Small(er) U.S. Flags rigged for Honor Escort

No Flags  on Honor Escort

2. Autos:          Same as Flag/no Flag order as bikes (Will fall behind Family/NSWDG Vehicles).

Staging Site & Times:  From 09:15 – 10:00 hrs at Food Lion # 0487 Parking Lot (behind Arby’s Roast Beef), 5193 Shore Drive, Virginia Beach, VA 23455.

Here is a URL Map Link to the staging area:

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=5193+Shore+Dr,+Virginia+Beach,+VA+23455,+USA&sa=X&oi=map&ct=title

We will conduct a Pre Mission Brief at 10:00, and depart to NAB LCRK Gate 5 at 10:15.  Parking will be across the street from the Base Chapel (D Street), as directed by NAB Base Security personnel.  We will form a Corridor of Flags at the Chapel’s Main Entrance and deploy a small contingency to the side entrance for friends and family members. Honors will be rendered on the arrival of the family and friends, and their motorcade at approximately 10:30. Once the immediate family and friends have arrived, the major portion of the Honor Guard will stand by, with a 4 person Watch Team remaining on station to render Honors for late arriving guest and “bear silent witness” during the a visitation and viewing (11:00 – 12:00) and Memorial Services (12:00 TBD).  15 minute “watches” should cover our contingent to approximately 13:00 hrs.  The PGR will regroup to render Honors to the McCaughan Family as they depart the Base Chapel.  The PGR will mount up and the Honor Escort formation / procession will take shape. Transit to Albert G. Horton Veterans Memorial Cemetery will adhere to the following protocol:

PGR mounted Escort Contingent and mounted special guest (Ordered as above)

MSgt David W. McCaughan, USAR (Ret) (Funeral Coach)

McCaughan Family / NSWDG Party

PGR Support Vehicles / Special Guest Vehicles (Order as above)

PGR Tail Gunner (as assigned)

Funeral Procession of vehicles

This Mission Segment will include Escorting the honoree and family to the Albert G. Horton, Jr. Virginia Veterans Memorial Cemetery.  Bikes will be rigged for Honor Escort.  Ensure mounted and rigged flags will sustain highway speeds. The Departure: TBD - The Patriot Guard Riders contingent will depart the NAB Chapel and proceed to escort Honoree , Family and dignitaries to the Albert G. Horton, Jr. Virginia Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Suffolk, VA (Bravo) to arrive no later than (NLT) 14:45.

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=5310+Milners+Rd,+Suffolk,+VA+23434,+USA&sa=X&oi=map&ct=title

Final Destination: TBD (NLT 14:45) - Upon arrival to point Charlie, the escort/procession will circle around behind the Committal Shelter / Pavilion and park Rear Wheels to the curb. All riders will dismount, and reform a Corridor of Flags, rendering honors to MSgt McCaughan and Family and remain on station until the Interment Services concluded.

****  The PGR contingent will mount up, and depart en-mass the Memorial grounds and proceed to the Mission Debrief Point, BP Service Station, 2872 Pruden Blvd (US 460), Suffolk, VA 23434 (Charlie); Conduct final debrief and conclude the Mission. The Following map link is provided: |

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=2872+Pruden+Blvd,+Suffolk,+VA+23434,+USA&sa=X&oi=map&ct=title

Please remember that our Mission is to show Respect and Honor this fallen NSW Civil Servant & Army Green Beret SpecOp Warrior.  Stand tall and proud as we salute this Hero, his family, and Team mates  for their Military Service, both in uniform and out, for their scarifies and their loss, on behalf of the Patriot Guard Riders and this great nation.

Respectfully,

PGR  Mission Co Ride Captains

David “DocB” Bozak, HM1(IDT/CC) USN(Ret)

PGR Mission Ride Captain / Sr.  Ride Captain, Hampton Rds/5, VA

Woody “RustPicker” Wagner, RM1(SW/CC), USN(Ret)

Virginia State Ride Captain

Tony “Double T” Turner

David McCaughan,

Thank you for your special kind of service… Your legacy and spirit will continue with your  "A" Team mates for as long as there are “the A Teams.”  As you depart this world and transcend to your next SPECOP, know we will never forget your service, your duty, your contributions to your soldiers… your sacrifices, in war and in keeping a continued peace across the globe, as well as your continued service as a Retiree within the Naval Special Warfare community. You, and those like you are why we enjoy our freedoms and liberties in this country. I Salute You….. and all like you.

To the family, friends and Team mates of David, my heartfelt condolences for your tragic loss of this brave American Hero and SPECOP Warrior.

With Respect,

Woody Wagner
Call Sign – RustPicker
Combat Vets Motorcycle Association (FM #880)
Sr. Ride Captain of  District 5/Hampton Rds - Virginia Asst. State Captain
Patriot Guard Riders (USA) (#1835 12/12/2005)
Blue Star Dad/Parent (3rd time) of Spc Justin Wagner, USA (UH60 Crew Chief, A Co. 4/3 CAB, 3rd I.D.)
Virginia Beach, VA USA
Blue, Green & Brown Water Navy(s) (Retired)

“Do not stand at my grave and weep;

I am not there, I do not sleep.

I am in a thousand winds that blow.

I am the softly falling snow.

I am the gentle showers of rain.

I am the fields of ripening grain.

I am the morning hush.

I am in the graceful rush

Of beautiful birds in circling flight.

I am the star shine of the night.

I am in the flowers that bloom.

I am in a quiet room.

I am the birds that sing.

I am in each lovely thing.

Do not stand at my grave and weep,

I am not there… I do not die.”

Mary Frye, Balitimore, MD, Circa 1933