I offer my sincere condolences to the family and friends of Eric Hall on the passing of Eric. I pray God will give you strength and comfort in the days ahead.

Eric my brother, I thank you for your service to our Nation and for the sacrifices you made to protect our freedoms. Rest in Peace

Florida Ride Report - Eric Hall, USMC Veteran – 13 MAR 08

This mission actually started at the beginning of February when I was notified that a Marine Veteran was reported missing by his Family in Charlotte County.  Every day, sometimes several times a day, I checked the news looking for updates. Even when LEO stopped searching, the family continued on asking for volunteers, particularly Veterans with PTSD…1 man answered that call as he vowed "NO MAN LEFT BEHIND".

On Sunday word came that someone had been found...for 3 1/2 days all of Florida held its breath…it was Eric.  My heart sank.

The PGR was invited by the Family Wednesday evening to Stand in Silent Respect for their Hero…with only 14 hours, this was definitely a SHORT NOTICE mission as a memorial service was scheduled for Thursday morning in Punta Gorda.  After I made contact with the family, I called a PGR member in Port Charlotte to be the Acting Ride Captain as I was unable to attend, he gladly said that it would be his Honor to help in any way that he could.  Through various communications that evening it was revealed to me that there was going to be a visitation and memorial service in Indiana; along with the fact that Eric will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery.  The PGR was definitely invited to Honor Eric so it was my responsibility to make sure that the PGR in IN and in VA knew of these plans and that they needed to make the necessary contact.

As dawn broke on Thursday morning, I knew this was going to be a bittersweet day.  The sun was shining, there was a crispness in the air and The Hall Family was about to start their journey to take Eric to his Final Resting Place.  As I was getting ready for work, my mind kept drifting to a place that my body would not be able to go.  However, I donned my PGR shirt, grabbed my vest, hat and arm band.  I placed my vest over the back of the front passenger seat, my hat went on the dashboard and I slid the armband over the shifter.  As I looked over my shoulder, I noticed my magnetic PGR signs, so I grabbed them both and put them on my cage.  I would Honor Eric Hall, USMC Veteran, in my own way, today.

As I headed south on I-75, my heart headed north and my mind was all over the board. Then suddenly my cell phone started to ring, Riders were telling me that they were on their way to Punta Gorda.  I called Taz to let him know to expect them about 1030 hrs.  I went over the briefing with Taz one more time.  He assured me that he will make certain that Eric Hall will be Honored as a True American Hero.

From Acting RC Taz:
Arrived at 0930 hours and was met by 4 PGR's. We were the only people there at that time. I did a recon for our bike's to be parked away from the church as it turned out the 4 PGR already had their bikes in the right spot. I called for the PGR to form up for the mission brief at 1100 hours. At this point I had 23 PGR's plus myself. At the end of the briefing I led my company in prayer for the mission. I set the flag line at 1110 hours. By this time the parking lot was full of local Veteran Organizations, I stopped counting at 15. I used my cage for mission support; plenty of water and a few extra flags. I had a number of people including a full dressed Marine who asked me if they could join us to pay respect to Eric Hall USMC. I informed them of our mission statement and what I expected from them as their Acting RC. They all agreed and I welcomed them aboard. I don’t know if that was ok with the PGR organization, but they did the PGR proud. Also at the family’s request the news media was invited. However I had to talk to them, about them going up to my company and putting their microphones in front of their faces while I had them at attention, that we were there to pay respect to Eric Hall USMC, his family and friends. I told them if they had any questions I would respond to any of their questions if I was not busy and if they wish to speak to any of my company they could talk to them at 1210 hours after I have them stand down or after the last person leaves the church service when I thanked them and they are dismissed. I guess I'll never make a PR man for the PGR. Once again all the missions I have been on, the media was held at bay so I never addressed this in my mission briefing.  I take full responsibility for my actions. A number of the men in my charge thanked me for saying what I did. The media did respect my request and honored it.

I met Eric’s mother, Becky, his father Kevin and his brother, Petty Officer 2nd Class Justin Hall, USN and offered my condolences on behalf of myself, the men and woman who formed the flag line and the PGR. They could not thank us enough for being there.  I told them that it was Our Honor to Stand for Eric Hall USMC and that he is a True American Hero.

My proudest moment came when Charlie Shaughnessy, a Vietnam Combat Veteran USMC, along with Eric's father and brother had requested permission to thank the men and women on the flag line. It was with the greatest pride I presented the men and women on both sides of the flag line to these three men. Charlie is a friend of mine and he was the man who crawled 150 feet into a drainage ditch to find and recover our Fallen Hero and fulfilling our sacred vow "NO MAN LEFT BEHIND" and gave The Hall Family some closure. To say my eyes were dry, would be a lie.

At 1310 hours I dismissed the flag line after everyone had left the church and I thanked them for making this mission a success, I also informed them that we had been invited by The Hall Family to join them for lunch; I stayed until 1415 hours.

Finally my heartfelt thank you to the men and women who stood with me today, I salute you, you made my job as Acting RC easy.

To Joan "PGRLabLuvr" Colosimo, SW Florida RC…thank you for your faith and trust in making me the Acting RC for this mission. As you know, I too, spent some time in the woods looking for Eric and I let the "ifs" creep into my head…if I only looked harder, if stayed a little longer but I was standing next to Charlie while he gave an interview to the media and heard him say it didn't work out the way we wanted it too, but we did the best we could. That gave me my closure and to you I say I did the best I could.

I know there where at least 75 bikes but many more parked where they could so a complete count was out of the question and we had 15 Flag bearers on each side counting the five I welcomed aboard.  I had a number of the Veterans that were impressed with our flag line including my Vietnam Brotherhood Brothers.  Also the news clips I watched, the focus was on the family in the church and our flag line.

Respects,
Taz
Vietnam Brotherhood
Patriot Guard Riders

To Taz, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for being the Acting RC for this mission...I definitely chose the right man for the job.  You went above and beyond the call of Duty for Eric, please don't ever think you didn't!!!

To my PGR Brothers and Sisters and ALL who were in attendance to Honor Eric Hall...once again, you make me very PROUD.  I TIP MY HAT TO YOU...THANK YOU!!!

To Charlie...well done Marine, well done!

To The Hall Family, please know that Eric is a True American Hero. He will not be Forgotten, his legacy will live on in me as well as ALL that Stood to Honor Eric.  Thank you for inviting us.  It was truly our Honor to be with you at this time.

Stand down, Cpl Eric Hall, your mission is now complete.  May you rest in Honored, Eternal Peace.  Semper Fi!

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!!! 

The Great State of Florida Stands Down.




Respectfully Yours,