MISSION COMPLETE - Pfc. Caleb A. Lufkin, 24, of Knoxville, IL~ 30 May - 1 & 2 Jun 06 > Patriot Guard Forums - Americans Doing the Right Thing

Unanswered

Active Topics

Forums

Members

Forums > Mission Information > PGR - Archives

Subject: MISSION COMPLETE - Pfc. Caleb A. Lufkin, 24, of Knoxville, IL~ 30 May - 1 & 2 Jun 06

You are not authorized to post a reply.

Page 4 of 8

Author

Messages

chromebeard User is Offline

Posts: 13
Tinley PARK, IL

30 May 2006 4:25 PM	Alert
My heart goes out to the family of this fine young man. May God hold you close at this most difficult time. Pfc Caleb Lufkin, you will never be forgotten! Will be honored to ride for this hero. Leaving Cracker Barrel at Joliet 06:00 Fri.

George William Curtis: A man's country is not a certain area of land, of mountains, rivers, and woods, but it is a principle and patriotism is loyalty to that principle.

LOWRIDE

Posts: 114

30 May 2006 4:26 PM	Alert
I will be at Princeton to escort and honor Pfc Caleb A. Lufkin. I thank him for the many things that we have as Americans because of Honorable men like him.

GBowman

Posts: 102
Princeton, Illinois Senior Ride Captain in Northern Illinois

30 May 2006 4:29 PM	Alert
Pfc. Lufkin's flight is now delayed 40 minutes. Original arrival at O'hare was 6:41 PM. Current estimated arrival is 7:14 PM. Looks like later rather than earlier in Princeton. Greg Bowman

Greg Bowman Senior Ride Captain Illinois PGR BSS Founding Member

cgbrocksmith User is Offline

Posts: 1291
Quincy, IL - "Defend Those Who Defended Us"

30 May 2006 5:53 PM	Alert
Prior to Caleb's services, I wish everyone would take a few minutes out of their busy day and watch this video. I am forever touch by these brave men and women that serve our country and Caleb is tops in my book of mircles. http://www.clermontyellow.accountsupport.com/flash/UntilThen.swf

MIAP Central US Operations Coordinator "To Care For Him Who Shall Have Borne The Battle" - Abraham Lincoln President Abraham Lincoln stated in the Gettysburg Address: "From these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they here gave the last full measure of devotion - that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain." Dying for Freedom isn't the worst that could happen...BEING FORGOTTEN IS! Respect and truth, not law, counters the obnoxious!

GBowman

Posts: 102
Princeton, Illinois Senior Ride Captain in Northern Illinois

30 May 2006 6:27 PM	Alert
Pfc. Lufkin has arrived at O'Hare. Arrival time was 7:03 PM. Ed (Wescoot) will call me when the PGR are in escort. Still looking at 8:30 to 9:00 in Princeton. Greg Bowman

Greg Bowman Senior Ride Captain Illinois PGR BSS Founding Member

cinderellieus User is Offline

Posts: 29
Maryland

30 May 2006 6:31 PM	Alert
I am planning on attending the funeral Friday but it will be in my cage since I have to go to work that evening at 6:30pm back in McHenry County. Anyone hoteling it thurs night?

GBowman

Posts: 102
Princeton, Illinois Senior Ride Captain in Northern Illinois

30 May 2006 6:44 PM	Alert
7:38 PM. Ed just called. Pfc. Lufkin is enroute. They expect to be kickstands up before 8:00 PM. Their weather is bad. Radar looks a lot better as they get to I-80 and approach Princeton. Looks much improved from Princeton to Knoxville and Galesburg. Saddle up PGR. I'm headed for the Road Ranger. Greg Bowman

Greg Bowman Senior Ride Captain Illinois PGR BSS Founding Member

biker1950

Posts: 28
springfield il

30 May 2006 6:47 PM	Alert
Wife and I cannot make it do to work,Our prays and thoughts go with his family

SFC M Lee USA Retired

cinderellieus User is Offline

Posts: 29
Maryland

30 May 2006 7:07 PM	Alert
Ride safe everyone and God Bless. Wish I could be there.

1ironman

Posts: 22
Peru IL.

30 May 2006 7:17 PM	Alert
Best wishes to all who attend this evening for the escort.My prayers are with all of you.I have to work at 0300 so will not be able to ride along.But will be there for the funeral Friday. Special thanks to the road captains, and Greg Bowman from princeton for his dedication and commitment for leading the ride from princeton to knoxville and all of his updates.Rodney Perez

Ironman, Rodney

ivetret

Posts: 2432
Shermer, IL

30 May 2006 7:26 PM	Alert
I will there Friday and could use a hand getting my motorcycle off and on a trailer. This will NOT be a round trip for me as I will be heading to WI afterward for the rest of the weekend. Rest in peace dear Caleb. Lufkin returns home tonight Soldier's body headed to Knoxville, then H-P-W; funeral services Friday Tuesday, May 30, 2006 By CHRIS ETHERIDGE The Register-Mail KNOXVILLE - The body of Pfc. Caleb Lufkin will return to western Illinois around 9 p.m. today. Lufkin, who died Thursday during surgery to repair injuries sustained in Iraq May 4, will be flown from Washington, D.C., to O'Hare International Airport in Chicago. He will then be escorted to Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Home, 1070 W. Fremont St., by the Illinois State Police and members of the Patriot Guard Riders, a private organization whose mission is to honor American members of the military. Organizers have set a specific route for the processional. It will pass Galesburg and Knoxville on I-74, take the Lewiston exit and come back through Knoxville, East Galesburg and Galesburg en route to the funeral home. Memorial candles will be distributed near the front lawn of Galesburg High School and supporters are encouraged to bring American flags. Lufkin, a 24-year-old Knoxville native, was seriously injured May 4, when the Army vehicle he was in hit a roadside bomb in Baghdad, Iraq. After being stabilized in a hospital in Germany, Lufkin was brought to Walter Reed Army Hospital in Washington, D.C. He died of cardiac arrest Thursday during the third surgery to repair his wounds. The family has determined that the funeral will be 11 a.m. Friday at Bethel Baptist Church, 1196 N. Academy St., with the visitation set for 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Bethel Baptist. Processional Route - Who: Pfc. Caleb Lufkin - Where: The processional route will enter Knoxville from the east, travel down Main Street and follow Henderson Road to East Galesburg, where it will continue to Galesburg on East Main Street. The procession will continue west on Main Street, turn north on Henderson Street and follow it to Fremont Street. At Fremont Street, the group will turn west and drive to the Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Home. - Listen to: Country station WAAG, 94.9 FM for periodical update on the expected arrival time of the processional. - Note: Organizers are asking people not to follow the processional, but instead wait on the sides of any of the streets along the route. Memorial candles will be distributed near the front lawn of Galesburg High School. http://www.register-mail.com/stories/053006/MAI_B9V4TD92.GID.shtml Governor's half staff Proclamation: Friday, June 2, 2006, on behalf of Caleb A. Lufkin, Private First Class, United States Army. http://www.niu.edu/flag.shtml Galesburg News: http://www.register-mail.com/stories/053006/MAI_B9VJ7HN4.GID.shtml Obit from News http://www.register-mail.com/stories/053006/OBI_B9VC5Q4S.GID.shtml Obit from the funeral home http://www.h-p-w.com/obituaries.php#1987 Belleville News http://www.belleville.com/mld/belleville/14668302.htm WQAD http://www.wqad.com/Global/story.asp?S=4968027

“Lest I keep my complacent way I must remember somewhere out there a person died for me today. As long as there must be war, I ask and I must answer was I worth dying for?” [Eleanor Roosevelt] @}-,-`-

java_len

Posts: 3

30 May 2006 7:57 PM	Alert
Quad Cities Rally Point. Friday June 2 at 0730 near downtown Davenport at: 836 E. River Drive, the Java Java parking lot (between QC Times building and Wonderbread Bakery on River Drive) Be fully fueled. We will depart at 0800 SHARP, don't be late. Route is River Dr. to I74, then rt 150 South all the way to Galesburg. Refuel as needed near the Wal-Mart.

mregan

Posts: 83
PEORIA, IL

30 May 2006 10:12 PM	Alert
I will be there on Friday with my 17 year old son. Had the pleasure of making the Memorial Day ride in Galesburg.

"For when we come home, either standing or dead, to know you remember we fought and we bled, is payment enough and with that we will trust, that we mattered to you as you mattered to us."

mregan

Posts: 83
PEORIA, IL

30 May 2006 10:15 PM	Alert
I will be there Friday morning with my 17 year old son. Had the pleasure of making the Memorial Day mission in Galesburg/Knoxville.

"For when we come home, either standing or dead, to know you remember we fought and we bled, is payment enough and with that we will trust, that we mattered to you as you mattered to us."

Purplegirl User is Offline

Posts: 136
Jacksonville, IL

30 May 2006 10:20 PM	Alert
My sincere condolences to the family of Pfc. Lufkin. His service is greatly appreciated and he will not be forgotten. I will be there in time for the visitation. Max has dozens of flags - I bring 8 more, if needed, and will be in my car. It is a priviledge to be able to show my respect and gratitude for Pfc. Lufkin's sacrifice in service to our country. CheriLynn

GBowman

Posts: 102
Princeton, Illinois Senior Ride Captain in Northern Illinois

31 May 2006 1:23 AM	Alert
Pfc. Caleb Lufkin has arrived in Knoxville/Galesburg. Hundreds, maybe even thousands, of folks there to line the streets to show their respects. Ed (Wescoot) and the escort brigade from O'Hare to Princeton had to wring out their swimsuits when they got to Princeton. They deserve the utmost respect for their dedication in handling some remarkably bad weather. Princeton to Knoxville was clear skies and fast riding. Awesome to see nearly every overpass for 85 miles capped by fire trucks, police cars, flags and salutes. Someone from the back of the pack will need to tell us all how long the escort stretched. We picked up riders and firetrucks all along the way. Well done PGR. For news footage you can Google channel 25 (WEEK) in Peoria and click "A Hero Returns" or channel 8 (WQAD) in Quad Cities. One rally point Friday morning is in Princeton once again at the Road Ranger truck stop. Princeton is Exit 56 on Interstate 80. It is 88 miles from there to the Galesburg staging area. Plan to arrive by 6:00 AM. Out the drive no later than 6:30. Any questions just shoot me an email. From the calls and emails I have received it appears that we will have a large number of riders at this RP. Greg Bowman Princeton

Greg Bowman Senior Ride Captain Illinois PGR BSS Founding Member

pendy34

Posts: 1

31 May 2006 1:25 AM	Alert
Thoughts and prayers go out to PFC Lufkin, and his family. The escort tonight was impressive. Thanks to the PGR for working so hard to protect the families of those who have paid the ultimate sacrifce.

cgbrocksmith User is Offline

Posts: 1291
Quincy, IL - "Defend Those Who Defended Us"

31 May 2006 2:33 AM	Alert
Patriot Guard Riders....once again....you have proven that Illinois PGR is one of the most dedicated and devoted group of riders in the nation. Your sacrifices are noticed and appreciated. You honor our heros with your selfless sacrifices.

MIAP Central US Operations Coordinator "To Care For Him Who Shall Have Borne The Battle" - Abraham Lincoln President Abraham Lincoln stated in the Gettysburg Address: "From these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they here gave the last full measure of devotion - that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain." Dying for Freedom isn't the worst that could happen...BEING FORGOTTEN IS! Respect and truth, not law, counters the obnoxious!

Thomas Novotny User is Offline

Posts: 106
Downers Grove, Illinois

31 May 2006 6:14 AM	Alert
Northwestern Illinois is to be complemented on the show of appreciation that was provided for Caleb Lufkin and family. TomCat

mandiejo

Posts: 16
Rushville, IL

31 May 2006 7:20 AM	Alert
I want to say thank you! I went to school with Pfc. Lufkin, and was a friend for many years. It is amazing the support that you all showed last nite. Unfortuantly I cannot be there on Thurs. and Fri, but my thoughts are with the Lufkin and Gorsline families. Please ride safe. And God Bless.

spooter

Posts: 0

31 May 2006 7:33 AM	Alert
I just joined after a couple of days of checking this group out. I am orginally from the Galesburg area and know some of the family of Pfc. Lukin. I will be riding up from Rushville on Friday morning. See you all there.

Illinois Cowboy User is Offline

Posts: 276
Galesburg,Il Illinois Assistant State Capt. Leader of the POSSE

31 May 2006 7:48 AM	Alert
As A new member of I would very much like to be a part of the ride to cemetary. I rode in last night with Tammy, Caleb's Father. As a member of Rolling Thunder and Legion Riders, I would more tha n honored. Ill. Cowboy Gary Schrock

USAF 71-75 S.A.C. TITAN TWO MISSILES combat crew member. "Patriotism is not short, frenzied outbursts of emotion, but the tranquil and steady dedication of a lifetime." - Adlai Stevenson -------- IF YOU CAN'T STAND BEHIND OUR TROOPS, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO STAND IN FRONT OF THEM!!!! IF YOU DISPLAY THE FLAG ON A STAFF WITH OTHERS AROUND IT,PLACE THE FLAG AT THE CENTER AND HIGHEST POINT. CROSSED STAFFS-KEEP THE FLAGSTAFF HIGHER AND ON IT'S OWN RIGHT. Our Flag, U.S. Congress THERE IS NO WRONG WAY TO DO THE RIGHT THING.

Illinois Cowboy User is Offline

Posts: 276
Galesburg,Il Illinois Assistant State Capt. Leader of the POSSE

31 May 2006 7:48 AM	Alert
As A new member of I would very much like to be a part of the ride to cemetary. I rode in last night with Tammy, Caleb's Father. As a member of Rolling Thunder and Legion Riders, I would more tha n honored. Ill. Cowboy Gary Schrock

USAF 71-75 S.A.C. TITAN TWO MISSILES combat crew member. "Patriotism is not short, frenzied outbursts of emotion, but the tranquil and steady dedication of a lifetime." - Adlai Stevenson -------- IF YOU CAN'T STAND BEHIND OUR TROOPS, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO STAND IN FRONT OF THEM!!!! IF YOU DISPLAY THE FLAG ON A STAFF WITH OTHERS AROUND IT,PLACE THE FLAG AT THE CENTER AND HIGHEST POINT. CROSSED STAFFS-KEEP THE FLAGSTAFF HIGHER AND ON IT'S OWN RIGHT. Our Flag, U.S. Congress THERE IS NO WRONG WAY TO DO THE RIGHT THING.

mikebowman User is Offline

Posts: 156
Forreston, Illinois Assistant State Captain

31 May 2006 8:08 AM	Alert
An amazing show of support from the Knoxville/Galesburg area last night. I was in tears riding through that sea of flags, candles, salutes, and emotions. I was so proud to be an American last night, and humbled by the weight of our mission. The PGR stepped up and opened the eyes of so many with our presence, It was awe inspiring. For anyone from north central Illinois, some of us have a rally point in Dixon, Il at the DnD truck stop at the intersection of IL26 and I88 for the funeral on Friday at 5:15am. Then on to Princeton to hook up with a group at the Road Ranger truck stop. Yea, it's early, but we are learning to try and be ahead of schedule than behind. My wife will be with me on this mission, her first. I also have one of my son's platoon buddies from Iraq meeting up with us for his first mission. As we all know, they won't be the same after Friday. Mike Bowman

The nation that forgets it's defenders, will itself be forgotten. - Pres. Calvin Coolidge Riding in memory of my son - Spc Timothy Bowman - Mar 82 - Nov 05 Riding with my brother always at my side - SRC Greg Bowman - Jul 54 - Sep 07 Rest in peace, we have the watch for both of you now.

Bluzmn59

Posts: 0

31 May 2006 8:26 AM	Alert
I am sorry that I could not make this mission, but I am bursting with pride for the members that escorted Pfc. Lufkin, showing him the respect he and his family so richly deserve.

You are not authorized to post a reply.

Page 4 of 8

Forums > Mission Information > PGR - Archives > MISSION COMPLETE - Pfc. Caleb A. Lufkin, 24, of Knoxville, IL~ 30 May - 1 & 2 Jun 06

ActiveForums 3.6