Honor Mission
George Rogers, POW/MIA, Veteran
USA – WWII
Lynchburg, Virginia – 08-24-19
Lynchburg, Virginia – 08-24-19
ABOUT THE MISSION:
World War II Veteran Army Staff George Rogers, who joined the armed forces at 22, survived the Bataan Death March in April 1942. That month, the U.S. surrendered the Bataan Peninsula in the Philippines to the Japanese. About 75,000 Filipino and American troops were forced to march 65 miles to prison camps in intense heat and under harsh treatment from the Japanese guards where thousands died. Rogers then was held for about three and a half years in prisoner-of-war camps in the Philippines and Japan and forced to work at a steel plant in southern Japan. Rogers weighed only 85 pounds when he returned to the United States in 1945. A doctor told the then 26-year-old he most likely would not keep his teeth, have children or live past 45. Rogers never lost his teeth, had five children and lived to be in his 90’s. Rogers became a successful businessman, serving as Liberty University’s chief financial officer, (CFO), from 1974 to 2000. In 2010, Liberty University established an annual award in Rogers’ honor, the George Rogers Champion of Freedom Award, presented to a U.S. Armed Forces veteran who went beyond the call of duty in demonstrating extraordinary heroism while in the service and continued to be an outstanding ambassador in their community. Rogers was the award’s first recipient in 2010. Rogers attended many Monument Terrace rallies on Fridays and was the Grand Marshall for Lynchburg’s first Veterans Parade in 80 years. A memorial service for Rogers will be held 1 p.m. Saturday at Thomas Road Baptist Church in Lynchburg, VA
PRIMARY STAGING DETAILS: 08-24-19
Staging Time: 11:45 AM
1 Mountain View Rd
(Stage across the road in the old Toys R Us parking lot)
Lynchburg, Virginia
Lynchburg, Virginia
Ride Captain:
Jim Tennant
434 851 1861
Jackalope96@aol.com
Special Instructions:
Staging 11:45 am
White shirts (long/short sleeve if available or your normal wear)
Briefing time 12:00 pm
1st Flag line 12:10 pm
Funeral Service 1:00 pm
Stand down
2nd Flag Line: 2:30 pm approx.
Military, ROTC, and others performing Honors outside the church.
If you have flags please bring them as we have only about 15 available.
Debriefing: 3:00 pm approx.
Flags & Water:
Flags will be provided
Large Bike Flags will NOT be needed.
Water will be provided.
Flags will be provided
Large Bike Flags will NOT be needed.
Water will be provided.
Submitted By: Walter Gillespie
Position: Virginia Assistant State Captain
Position: Virginia Assistant State Captain
Note: You do not have to own/ride a motorcycle or be a veteran to join, and membership is Free. The only requirement is RESPECT! To subscribe to receive mission notices, log into the National Site and click on the Members tab at the top. Select the Subscribe to PGR Missions option.
3 Comments To "George Rogers"
#1 Comment By mcpojjb On August 23, 2019 @ 7:19 am
My sincere condolences to the Family and Friends of George Rogers. Rest in Peace, Hero.
JJ Bishop
Hudson, FL
#2 Comment By Lady Harley On August 25, 2019 @ 2:07 pm
May the Lord wrap His arms around the Rogers family and guide them with His loving care and grace. Their suffering and wait is over; he is home. Thank you Mr. Rogers for your service to our country.
With deepest sympathies,
Becca “Lady Harley” Landick
Patriot Guard Riders
Virginia State Captain
#3 Comment By Michael Jaffe On August 26, 2019 @ 1:40 pm
My deepest and most sincere condolences to the Rogers family. Thank you for your service to our country.