PATRIOT GUARD RIDERS FINAL ITINERARY HONORING PO1 JERRY A. THARP, ALEDO, IL
BU1(SCW) Class Jerry A. Tharp, 44, of Aledo, Illinois and Muscatine, Iowa, died July 12 as a result of enemy action when his dismounted patrol was struck by an improvised explosive device while operating in the Al Anbar province of Iraq. He was assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 25, Rock Island, Ill.
This mission thread is located at:
http://patriotguard.org/Forums/tabid/61/postid/153493/view/topic/Default.aspx
IT IS THE ULTIMATE AUTHORITY FOR INFORMATION. WATCH IT CLOSELY FOR CHANGES.
The Patriot Guard Riders have been asked to provide escort for this fallen warrior and hometown hero.
MISSION RIDE CAPTAIN: Max Howerter. Contact at howerter1@insightbb.com
Frequently asked mission questions may be answered at this thread:
http://patriotguard.org/PGRFAQ/tabid/250/Default.aspx
ESCORT MISSION – TUESDAY, 18 JUL 06 – O’HARA – ALEDO, IL
ESCORT CAPTAINS – ED MUELLER (SC) (CELL: (847) 217-1862)/JOE ALGER (CELL: (815) 482-3375)
(O’HARA – PRINCETON)
MIKE (CELL: (815) 499-1829) (mikebowman@cin.net)/GREG BOWMAN (PRINCETON – ALEDO)
Route of March: (Meeting point to be determined)
Interstate 55 to Interstate 80 West
Re-Fueling stop on Interstate 80 at Princeton (Motorcade meets family)
Interstate 80 to Interstate 280
Interstate 280 West to Exit #15 (Marked as Milan Exit)
Turn Right on Airport Road and continue to US Route 67 South
US Route 67 South to Illinois Route 17(Viola)
Turn West (Right) on Illinois Route 17 and continue on to Aledo
Law Enforcement Agencies (Aledo PD) will provide direction upon entering
Central Park
Upon arrival at Central Park, Amazing Grace will be played by the bagpiper, which will be followed by selections from the choir and then taps. The hearse will then depart and the honor guard will take its place at the funeral home. We are also seeking volunteer vets to stay with Jerry until Saturday's service.
Candles will be available at Central Park in Aledo. Candles and flags will be passed out, along with a prayer gathering at 9:00 pm on Tuesday. People along the motorcade route, south of the Quad Cities are asked to gather at 9:00 P.M. The motorcade will pass through the towns of Milan, Preemption and Viola.
The Escort Order of March must be:
a. Illinois State Police
b. Patriot Guard Riders (Max of 8 upon arrival in Aledo)(these riders will be selected by Greg Bowman and Max)
c. The Hearse
d. Immediate Family members
e. Remainder of PGR
f. Other elements
· Note: I cannot stress enough the importance of the motorcade arriving in this order.
Please display flags along the route. Motorcade updates will be transmitted via WAAG 94.9 FM and WRMJ 102.3.
As with the other two previous events please remain flexible and patient.
* * * * * *
FUNERAL HOME: Dennison Funeral Home, 1005 SE 3rd Street, Aledo, Illinois 61231 (309) 582-5663
POC: Jill Henry (309) 596-2121
VISITATION: First Christian Church, Keithsburg, IL. It is located right next to St. Mary’s Cemetery. Visitation is scheduled for Friday, 21 July 06 from 4 pm – 8 pm. All PGR members desiring to attend a flag line ceremony during this visitation are asked to let Max Howerter (Ride Captain) know if you will be attending. Email Max at: howerter1@insightbb.com.
SERVICES: Saturday, 22 July 2006, 2:30 pm
Bethel Baptist Church
1196 N. Academy Street
Galesburg, IL 61401
RALLY POINT: WAL-MART GALESBURG, 2031 National Blvd, Galesburg, IL 61401 (Garden area to the west and rear of the building). 12 pm – 1 pm. Staging for this honor mission will occur on Saturday, 22 JUL 06 at the Galesburg Wal-Mart starting at 12 pm through 1 pm. Be ready to ride, gassed and de-watered. We will pre-brief our mission at 1:00 pm with kickstands up at 1:25 pm. We will then proceed to the Bethel Baptist Church to stand in honor, with a sea of flags, for Petty Officer Tharp. This most probably will be under police escort. A PGR escort will then take him to his final resting place in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Keithsburg, IL. This will be at highway speeds. Ensure your ride and flags are secure. You will be guided into formation upon your arrival. Please follow directions at the Rally Point. The order of PGR will be:
Procession:
Police
Ride Captains/Escort Leaders
Big Flag Bike – 8 Maximum
Hearse
Family
Big Flag Bikes – 12 remainder big flag bikes (locals if possible)
Other Family Members
PGR Support Vehicle 1 – Flags/Water/etc
Cemetery:
Local PGR members (in honor of their fallen hero)
PGR Riders (2 wheels)
PGR Riders (4 wheels)
PGR Support Vehicle 2 - Flags/Water/etc
PGR Tail gunners (4)
WEATHER FORCAST FOR SATURDAY – 22 JUL 06 – 86 DEGREES AND CLOUDY – Remain hydrated/sun blocked.
LODGING:
Holiday Inn Express (2285 Washington, Galesburg, IL 61401 Phone: 309-343-7100) (please mention Patriot Guard Riders when making reservations) will provide a special rate to all PGR members requiring a room for Tuesday evening.
Camping is also available at the Galesburg East Campground. Take exit 54 off of Interstate 74, then take US Hwy 150 East about 1 mile down on your left side.
Tent Sites $17.00
Tent sites w/water & elect $19.00
Cabin w ac, heater, refrigerator & microwave $45.00
All rates are with 2 people
Telephone Number (309) 289-2267
Owners: Stan & Judy Herrick
Make sure you thank your hosts.
As always, please free to email the Ride Captain (Max) at howerter1@insightbb.com or me at cgbrocksmith@cgbrocksmith.com.
As always, feel free to call me at my cell phone (217) 316-5483 if it is urgent. I will gladly email you maps if you need them for the local area.
AFTERWARDS: The family is arranging a large tent for us to eat with them after the services on Saturday. I urge everyone to plan on staying around for this. It is a rare occasion that we get to meet the family so close up and personal and we should be honored. Smitties, in downtown Keithsburg, will have cold drinks and a fish fry on Friday after the visitation.
This e-mail is sent to you at the request of the Illinois State Captains. Please forward any follow up questions to your State Captain or their appointed Designate. To unsubscribe from state e-mails from your state captain, you must please write no-e-mail in the fax number column on your profile page at the PGR website.
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