Patriot Guard Riders

The Patriot Guard Riders have been honored with a request from Joshua Traxel, son of Missouri Army National Guard Staff Sergeant Robert Traxel to be present during the Robert J. Traxel Memorial 5K Run/Walk to be held on Saturday 7 May 2016 in Rolla, MO.

Staff Sergeant Robert J. Traxel was tragically killed on 2 July 2012 in Guatemala. SSG Traxel, who was 34 years old at the time of his death was killed while performing his annual training duties in support of Beyond the Horizon Guatemala exercise. He died of injuries during a training exercise.

Staff Sergeant Traxel began his military career with the United States Marine Corps. He had worked as a Police Officer in Florissant, MO and other St Louis area Police Departments before enlisting in the Army. He served tours in both Iraq in 2011 and Afghanistan in 2008. At the time of his death, SSG Traxel was a public affairs broadcast specialist with the 70th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment in Jefferson City.

SSG Traxel is a recipient of the Army Achievement Medal, second award, the Meritorious Unit Commendation Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with two service stars, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, Army Service Ribbon, and the Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon. At the time of his death, SSG Traxel left behind a wife and four children. The Patriot Guard was honored to be present at SSG Traxel’s funeral service on 12 July 2012 in St Louis County, MO.

Riders will stage at 8:30am on Saturday 7 May 2016 at Ber Juan Park in Rolla, MO. Riders will stage at the pavilion located near the tennis courts off of Holloway Street. The PGR will remain until the 5K race starts. The weather forecast calls for morning temperatures in the mid 50’s and afternoon temperatures on the mid 80’s. Please, HYDRATE, HYDRATE, HYDRATE. A link to the 5K website is attached below:

http://www.soldierssonsrun.com/

Below is a link to Google Maps showing the location of the Ber Juan Park Tennis Complex:

https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=Ber%20Juan%20Park%20Tennis%20Courts&rflfq=1&rlha=0&rllag=37952088,-91764489,563&tbm=lcl&tbs=lf:1,lf_ui:1&rlfi=hd:;si:

Ride Captain in Charge (RCIC):
Brandon “Olaf” Cole
573-201-9984
gi_trucker@yahoo.com