PGR mission Tuesday, 5/29/07

[Toecutter]

I just got back from escorting the Hero, Sgt. Steven Packer of Clovis, from the air terminal to the funeral chapel with his family.

The funeral is set for Tuesday morning. Details are still being worked out, and will be posted as they develop at the PGR website here.

 

[dcarver]

TC, as much as I want to, I can't, due to work. For any of you who are on the fence, GO FOR IT. It will change the way your perceptions, right, middle, or left. I won't get political - but we are all citizens. My personal experience was very, very positive. Just do it; I wish I could.

 

[Toecutter]

Del

 

[Toecutter]

Bump for final Itinerary:

Funeral services for Sgt. Steven Packer will be held Tuesday, May 29th 2007 at Northside Church, 2709 E. Nees Ave. Fresno, CA at 1100 hrs. Note address change.

Ride Captain will be Helldog. She will be out of town until Monday night so please direct any questions my way (Toecutter).

Staging will be from 0930-1000 at the Starbuck's on the Northwest corner of Clovis & Herndon Avenues in Clovis. This is a location very near to the Hwy 168 & Herndon Ave. offramp. Right on Herndon, then a quick left onto Clovis Avenue. Starbuck's will be on the left. There is a Chevron station directly across Clovis Avenue for fuel.

KSU will be before 1015 hrs. so we can be in place at the church for the arriving guests.

From the South: Take Hwy 99 to Clovis Avenue and go north to Herndon, or (faster), take Hwy 99 to Hwy 41 North to 180 East. Keep right and take the Hwy 168 East ramp to Herndon Ave. in Clovis.

From the North: Take Hwy 99 to the Herndon Avenue exit, east to Clovis Avenue (approx. 11 miles through town) or, (faster), take Hwy 99 to 180 East (just past Belmont Ave.) then take Hwy 168 East to Herndon Ave. in Clovis.

We need bikes as well as a support vehicle or two with water available, if possible. Just in case, bring some water of your own for hydration. Tuesday's high is predicted to be 90+ degrees. Sunscreen is also a good idea.

Please post up if you plan to attend so I can get an approximate head count.

We will probably debrief & cool off afterward at a location TBD by RC Helldog.

 

[dcarver]

TC, how did this ride go?

 

[Toecutter]

TC, how did this ride go?

It went well. You've got mail.

There's a tribute video (1 hour, 40 minutes long) done by one of the hero's neighbors at the link below.

https://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6...60835&hl=en

Ride Report for Sgt. Steven Packer, 23, Army, 29 May 2007: By Helldog, Fresno RC This was a two-part Mission as Mustang and Mark greeted Sgt. Packer at the Fresno Airport on May 24. His family was touched by our presence, and has sent thanks to the PGR for escorting Steven along every leg of his final earthbound journey. About 25 Riders and 3 support vehicles were in Fresno to honor Sgt Packer at the Mission May 29. It was warm with mild breezes as we meet-up at the Starbucks in Clovis. Mustang and mark again rode ahead of the pack to escort our Hero from the Funeral home to the Northside Christian Church as the PGR gathered. Warm welcomes to old friends; Chuck with CMA, Greg and Jim with Blacksheep, Coconut from Pelco, Shakeey, Randy, Martin who rode in from Paso Robles and all the rest gathered with new PGR members for small talk and sharing information about our Mission to come. There were CMA riders from Bakersfield and a new PGR member from Rancho Cucamonga who lost his son Matthew in the War. LydiaAnne was a “PGR Angel” today in one of the support vehicles providing cold drinks for everyone. People rode in from all parts of CA and beyond. Toecutter handled logistics, instructed new members in flag etiquette, ride precautions and safety; and led the ride for Sgt. Packer today. When we left the meet-up, our US Flags garnered rubberneck’in from the bystanders along the route. The procession seemed to string along for a mile and would grow for several miles after the service. We arrived at the Church just before our Hero and quickly made our flag line. There had been a delay at the Funeral Home that allowed us the privilage of greeting Sgt. Packer at the Church. We decided to remain in formation until the service started and the guests were inside; about 25 min in the increasing heat. We almost lost Moose who rode in from Hollister and was not acclimated to the Valley heat; but he managed as we all did to hold the flag line. Brig. Gen. Louis J. Antonetti shook hands and thanked us personally for serving this Mission. There was much media presence for this Mission; articles in the Fresno Bee appeared almost daily between the DOD announcement and the day after the service. As a local news Reporter searched for a PGR member to interview, everyone gladly pointed at Helldog to speak to the camera. The PGR looked proud riding for our Hero on the 6:00 p.m. Channel 24 News May 29. After the Church Service, Griz from VNV joined Toecutter in the lead and we quickly assembled the bikes behind the Clovis PD, the Limos and the Military Humvees; but we wondered what was taking so long. We noticed the Funeral Directors despair as they had to give one of the Limos a “jump;” I’ll bet that was a first! Martin asked if we could ride the “Missing Man Formation” and he escorted our “missing man” as Irish and I followed behind in the familiar 2-1-2 pattern. We then rode in procession on surface streets and Highways at about 45 mph with our Flags waving proudly. As we rode on the highway, we had to tighten our pack as some trucks and vehicles tried to break between the procession; but most pulled over to honor our Hero. A CHP Officer, who stopped his prowler on Hwy 41 and stood alone, saluting our hero as he passed by, moved me to tears. At the Cemetery, we lined both sides of the final walk the pallbearers would make for Steven. There had been a big Memorial Day Service the day before and large flags were still in place at the entrance to the gravesite with hundreds of small flags marking the graves of our Heroes from Wars gone by. Another tearful moment struck when I saw our Hero’s Mother enter with the signature dog tags of a Fallen son around her neck; her husband and a small boy followed close behind with the guests entering last. We encircled the group with a perimeter of US/Army/PGR flags as Full Military honors were bestowed. Handshakes and thanks were given by a few who wanted us to know how much our presence meant to Steven’s family. More than one told me how good we all looked with our flags and bikes. After the gravesite service, the PGR was dismissed to the American Legion Post 509 or to their own destinations both near and afar. It was a great Mission for Sgt. Packer whose service went far above and beyond the call of duty. His family made first contact for our service and I am sorry to say, we will be called upon again. But in these difficult times, I want you to know it is my privilege to ride with each and everyone of you. Thank you my PGR Brothers and Sisters, for answering the call to duty and honoring our countryman’s ultimate sacrifice.