Honor Mission
Melvin A. Gerhart, Retired
USAF – Korea, Vietnam
California, Missouri – 08-03-19
California, Missouri – 08-03-19
ABOUT THE MISSION:
The Patriot Guard Riders have been honored with a request by the family of Senior Master Sgt Melvin A. Gerhart, USAF, Retired, to stand tall and silent in honor of their loved one.SMSgt Gerhart served his nation with honor in the U.S. Air Force during Korea and Vietnam, retiring after 23 years of service. After completing basic training at Lackland AFB in Texas, he went through gunnery training at Lowry AFB in Colorado that resulted in him being assigned a position on a B-29 crew. During his career, he served in the Strategic Air Command (SAC) and Military Airlift Command (MAC), filling positions of flight line controller, crew chief of B-47 and B-58 aircraft and was awarded medals for his meritorious service. When SMSgt Gerhart retired in 1974, he was assigned to the 41st Air Rescue and Recovery Wing.
PRIMARY STAGING DETAILS: 08-03-19
Staging Time: 12:30 pm
Windmill Ridge Funeral Home
600 Pinto Lane
California, Missouri 65018
California, Missouri 65018
Ride Captain:
David Bledsoe
Devldog624@gmail.com
660-473-2038
Special Instructions:
Briefing at 12:30 pm
Visitation is from 1:00-2:30 pm, with Graveside Service beginning at 3:00 pm.
We will escort from funeral home to gravesite (across the street) prior to the Graveside Service with Full Military Honors.
Flags & Water:
Flags will be provided
If you have large bike flags, please bring them.
Water will be provided.
Flags will be provided
If you have large bike flags, please bring them.
Water will be provided.
Submitted By: David Bledsoe
Position: Missouri Ride Captain
Position: Missouri Ride 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.
7 Comments To "Melvin A. Gerhart"
#1 Comment By iceber58 On August 1, 2019 @ 11:04 pm
My wife and I wish to extend our condolences on your loss.
We stand with feet planted firmly on rich soil knowing what freedom is. Because of our veterans, I am free to honor God and country without persecution. Where there is injustice, I am free to fight. Where there is silence, I am free to speak. Where there is hate, I am free to love.
Your love one’s watch is over, may they rest peacefully in the arms of God.
Bruce Berg, ISC, USN (Ret)
#2 Comment By GrampyBob On August 2, 2019 @ 7:13 am
My condolences for the loss of your loved one. Be Proud of your loved one for their service and sacrifices they have made to preserve our Country’s Freedom. I stand with my fellow Patriot Guard Riders as we Honor this Warrior. Stand down and rest in eternal peace, your mission is complete.
Live Simply, Love Generously, Care Deeply, Speak Kindly, Leave the rest to God.
Bob”GrampyBob”Griffith
USASA M.P. Cpl 59-62 Retired Lt. LEO.
Ride Captain Patriot Guard
Montgomery City, Mo.
Riding In Memory of My Wife Judy Griffith
Patriot Guard Rider 1/05/2010 5/20/2019
Riding in Honor of my Son:
Mark D. Griffith U.S. Navy Veteran
Riding in Memory of my Uncles:
Mural Griffith U.S. Navy WW ll
Orville Griffith U.S. Army WW ll
Sterling Griffith U,S, Army WW ll
Riding in Memory of PGR Brother/Ride Captain
Sfc. Mark Schroeder USANG {Ret} 3/28/16
#3 Comment By Robert Smith On August 2, 2019 @ 7:33 am
When we lose a loved one one here on earth, we gain an angel in heaven that watches over us.
Our most sincere condolences to you.
#4 Comment By Robert W. White On August 2, 2019 @ 8:22 am
My wife and I wish to extend our sincere condolences to the family and friends of this true American Hero, US Air Force (Ret), Korean – Viet Nam War Veteran, Senior Master Sergeant (SMSgt) Melvin A. Gerhart. We thank you for your service to a grateful nation, may your family find peace in knowing you served proudly and comfort in the months to come. May you rest in peace for your mission is now complete. I salute you.
[1]
Robert “Bob” White
USA (Ret) 1SG
Vietnam Era
Jul 72 – Aug 94
Ofallon, MO
Riding in Memory of:
F.C. White, Sr, Tec 5 USA, WWII (Father)
G.A. Thompson, Pvt, USA, WWI (Grandpa)
D.A. Thompson, MCPO, USN (Ret), Korea (Uncle)
G.A. Thompson, Sgt, USMC, Korea (Uncle)
L. Norris, Msgt, USAF (Ret), Vietnam (Uncle)
Riding in Honor of:
F.C. White, Jr, Ssgt USAF, Vietnam (Brother)
F.C. White, III, Pfc, ARNG (Nephew)
D.B. White, PO2, USN, Vietnam Era (Twin
#5 Comment By Neil Hill On August 2, 2019 @ 9:40 am
From my family to yours… I pray your family and friends will find peace, during this time of sorrow in the loss of this retired US Air Force, Korea, and Vietnam veteran. Our nation is grateful for your honorable service. Your service and sacrifice to our country should never be forgotten. We now stand for you as you once stood for us.
Neil Hill “Nitehawk”
USAF 1974-1978
Riding in memory of…
James “Bud” Hill, US Army… Brother
SFC Mark Schroeder, US Army (RET)… PGR Brother & Ride Captain
Rodney “El Rod” Hale, USMC… PGR Brother
#6 Comment By Joseph Bilodeau On August 2, 2019 @ 10:37 am
My wife and I offer our deepest condolences to the family of an American Hero. His service and sacrifice to our country to preserve our freedom is not and will not be forgotten. I wish him Fair Winds and Following Seas. Your mission here is completed. Rest in peace, we have the watch!
Joseph “Mustang” Bilodeau
LCDR USN (Ret)
#7 Comment By Billboy On August 3, 2019 @ 7:28 am
My Condolences go out to family and friends of (Ret) USAF Korea / Vietnam Veteran, Melvin A. Gerhart may you rest in peace and God be with you, Thank you for your service.