UPDATE:  25 FEB 07 by IL SC

I have verified with CAO that Pfc Garbs will be posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal and Good Conduct Medal.  In addition, he was promoted from Private 1st Class to Specialist.

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Final Itinerary: 24 FEB 07 by RC Caruso

STAGING on MONDAY and TUESDAY

Staging area for both Monday and Tuesday will be at the Phillips 66 gas station located on the east side of the intersection of I-55 and IL-143. I have confirmed with the gas station for our staging. Edwardsville Police will meet us there each day for an escort into town.

We will park motorcycles immediately across the road from the funeral home...space blocked off by police department. PGR cages will park in one of two parking lots within 1/2 block.

Visitation:

Monday, February 26, 2007

Weber & Rodney Funeral Home
304 N. Main St.
Edwardsville, Illinois 62025

Staging to begin at 12:30 p.m. at Phillips 66 gas station at I-55 and IL-143 - FUEL UP!
Leave staging area at 1:15 p.m. with Edwardsville Police escort.
PGR to set up flag line at 1:45 p.m. in preparation for family arrival.
PGR will continue flag line until 4:00 p.m. PGR will dismiss at 4:00 p.m. .... however, I would like to take those in attendance on a dry run from the funeral home to the funeral service site on SIUE campus immediately following the flag line dismissal...approximately another 20 minutes of involvement.  There is a gas station with restrooms within 1/2 block of the funeral home for our use.
 

Staging to begin 8:00 a.m. at Phillips 66 gas station at I-55 and IL-143 - FUEL UP !!!
Leave staging area at 8:45 a.m.

I will go to funeral home with one other bike with large flags; all other bikes will proceed to SIUE campus location of funeral service; lead bike will be assigned on Monday for the ride to SIUE campus.

9:15 a.m. - PGR to setup flag line at entrance to funeral site at SIUE; parking will be discussed on Monday
9:30 a.m. - I will escort hearse and family to SIUE campus; all guests will already be seated; family will enter the ballroom, and the military will bring Ryan into the funeral service area at about 9:50 a.m.
10:00 a.m. - funeral begins; PGR will stand down during service
end of funeral service - PGR flag line re-set; family and Ryan escorted to hearse and vehicles
 

Jefferson Barracks
National Cemetery
2900 Sheridan Road
St. Louis, MO 63125

ESCORT TO JEFFERSON BARRACKS
PGR will have two bikes with big flags (I have one bike with big flags) immediately behind LEO escort and in front of hearse; then hearse and all family vehicles will follow (we will designate last vehicle before end of funeral), then PGR motorcycles and flag vehicles (ARNE), then all other guests will follow.

Initial plans call for brief tour through area with businesses so the community can line up and show respect; ISP will provide escort to Jefferson Barracks via I-255; this will be a HELMET MISSION from the funeral to Jefferson Barracks...plan accordingly

WEATHER FORECAST: partially cloudy with high of 40ish and lows in the high 20's; NO RAIN forecast as of this posting

Ride Safe...see you on Monday or Tuesday....

FYI... for those riders in deep Southern Illinois going on this mission...
I will stage at the Phillips 66 station in Christopher, Illinois each day, taking IL-148 north through Waltonville and the back road to Woodlawn to I-64 onto IL-4 through Lebanon to IL-143
Monday: stage at 10:00 a.m., leave at 10:15 a.m.
Tuesday: stage at 5:30 a.m., leave at 5:45 a.m.

QUESTIONS??? ... 618-218-1825

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The Patriot Guard will ride to Edwardsville, IL to honor PFC Ryan Garbs, United States Army Ranger. 

Pfc. Ryan Garbs, a U.S. Army Ranger, was killed in the crash on Sunday, according to his family.

I spoke with his father today and he is so overwhelmed at the show of support for his son and although details are sketchy at best, he welcomes the Patriot Guard Riders with open arms.

The Ranger Creed

Recognizing that I volunteered as a Ranger, fully knowing the hazards of my chosen profession, I will always endeavor to uphold the prestige, honor, and high esprit de corps of my Ranger Regiment.

Acknowledging the fact that a Ranger is a more elite soldier who arrives at the cutting edge of battle by land, sea, or air, I accept the fact that as a Ranger my country expects me to move farther, faster and fight harder than any other soldier.

Never shall I fail my comrades. I will always keep myself mentally alert, physically strong and morally straight and I will shoulder more than my share of the task whatever it may be. One-hundred-percent and then some.

Gallantly will I show the world that I am a specially selected and well-trained soldier. My courtesy to superior officers, neatness of dress and care of equipment shall set the example for others to follow.

Energetically will I meet the enemies of my country. I shall defeat them on the field of battle for I am better trained and will fight with all my might. Surrender is not a Ranger word. I will never leave a fallen comrade to fall into the hands of the enemy and under no circumstances will I ever embarrass my country.

Readily will I display the intestinal fortitude required to fight on to the Ranger objective and complete the mission though I be the lone survivor.

RANGERS LEAD THE WAY!

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IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                          No. 199-07                                                                                                         February 20, 2007

DoD Identifies Army Casualties

The Department of Defense announced today the death of seven soldiers who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. They died Feb. 18 in southeastern Afghanistan when the Chinook helicopter they were in crashed. The incident is under investigation.

Killed were:

Chief Warrant Officer Hershel D. McCants Jr., 33, of Ariz. McCants was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne), Fort Campbell, Ky.

Chief Warrant Officer John A. Quinlan, 36, of New Jersey. Quinlan was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne), Fort Campbell, Ky.

Sgt. Adam A. Wilkinson, 23, of Fort Carson, Colo. Wilkinson was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne), Fort Campbell, Ky.

Spc. Travis R. Vaughn, 26, of Reinbeck, Iowa. Vaughn was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne), Fort Campbell, Ky.

Spc. Brandon D. Gordon, 21, of Naples, Fla. Gordon was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne), Fort Campbell, Ky.

Pfc. Ryan C. Garbs, 20, of Edwardsville, Ill. Garbs was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Fort Benning, Ga.

Pfc. Kristofer D. S. Thomas, 18, of Roseville, Calif. Thomas was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Fort Benning, Ga.

For more information in regard to this release the media can contact the U.S. Army Special Operations Command public affairs office at (910) 432-6005.