PGR MISSION WICHITA FALLS TEXAS 10-20-09

Today, Tuesday, 10-20-09, was the funeral & interment of Fred Tibbets, a 20 year Veteran of the US Navy & US Air Force and a Veteran of the Korean War & the Vietnam War. The funeral was held at Evangel Temple in Wichita Falls Texas and interment was at the Highland Cemetery in Iowa Park Texas. The PGR was requested by the family to be in attendance. Scroll down for this PGR Mission and REMEMBER: IF YOU WANT TO SEE THE PICTURE BIGGER, JUST CLICK ON THE PICTURE.






Some of the PGR big flag bikes at Evangel Temple.

The PGR bikes in attendance at Evangel Temple

Ted was there and is a faithful PGR member and is at most PGR Missions in the area. PGR Missions are a priority in Ted's life as he feels that the departed active duty & retired military personnel demand and deserve the honor & respect that we all owe them for their service and sacrifice.

The PGR bikes and support truck

A view from the church of the PGR bikes & members

The PGR members visit as we wait to form the flag line

The flags were fluttering in the strong breeze, always a beautiful site..

Joe arrives and prepares his flags

This is Gary (left) and Tex (right). Gary is our North Texas PGR Ride Captain and Tex is North Texas Assistant Ride Captain. They were in charge of today's mission.

Joe & Ted at Evangel Temple

Joe listens in as Gary gives us the mission briefing and schedule of events.

Ted, Edmond and the others listen in at the briefing

We get the flags out of the support vehicle, unfurl them and head to the designated flag line area

The flag line forms up with Tex on the end

I had called Bud earlier and he was sick and in bed. So, I was really surprised when he showed up.

A couple of the PGR members that were going to accompany the grandson of the deceased.

The flag line by the main entrance to Evangel Temple, as we wait the arrival of the family car

The flag line on the North side of the entrance walkway

The flag line on the South side of the entrance walkway

The flag line across from my position..Left to right: Cecil, Bill, Ted & Tex

Bud in the flag line

Joe in amongst the flags in the flag line

Bill, Ted, Tex & Edmond in the flag line

John in the flag line at Evangel Temple

Another of John in the flag line

Angela in the flag line. Her husband, Nubbin, had to work and could not attend today..Angela rides a trike and has the big flag setup mounted on it..

The flag line out front of Evangel Temple. Just FYI, the casket had been removed from the hearse and was in place inside the church. We do not take pictures of the hearse with the caskets inside them nor do we take pictures of family members or when family members are present.

The flag line out front of Evangel Temple

The flag line

This is Cecil (another of our North Texas PGR Ride Captains), Tom & John. Tom has a business that he handcrafts Texas Spirit Bells (Gremlin Bells) from real brass.

This is what the bells look like. For a closer view, click on the pic and also visit Tom's web page. Like Tom's business cards says: "handcrafted from real Brass by a Biker for Bikers". Visit Tom's site at the following link: http://www.texasspiritbells.com/ I have ordered me one for my Harley.. Consider getting one of these bells for your bike or a gift for a friend..

The advance party heads out from Evangel Temple enroute to the Highland Cemetery in Iowa Park Texas. Here we head North up Barnett Road.

Ted bringing up the rear, with Evangel Temple behind him

We cross over to Wellington Road and head to Westbound US 287

We arrive and get established on US 287. Here is Ted as we proceed to Iowa Park Texas & the Highland Cemetery

This is Gary & Edmond at the cemetery

This is Bill & Edmond at the cemetery. They told me they were brothers..

Edmond & Bill inside the pavilion at Highland Cemetery

The Sheppard AFB, Base Honor Guard. They did an OUTSTANDING job today. Very professional and a credit to the USAF!

Ted inside the pavilion

After the services, PGR members get ready to depart the cemetery. Here are Tex & Gary loading the flags back into the support vehicle..

Ted & Edmond shake hands as they get ready to depart the cemetery.

Here is Bud, Eastbound on US 287 as we head back to Wichita Falls, Texas

I decide to take a short cut. Once again, Murphy's law was in effect in my life....And this was a LONG train too... This will conclude this post. I was proud to attend this PGR Mission, as I am on all missions. It was good to see everyone again. For more information on the PATRIOT GUARD RIDERS (PGR) or if you are interested in joining the PGR, see this link: http://www.patriotguard.org/

Scroll WAY down for more rides, events & posts and don't forget to click on the "older posts" link at the bottom of EACH page for more rides and posts. Check out North Texas Bikers (1) at http://www.jjskewlstuff.blogspot.com/ for rides, events & posts from January 08-November 08. and North Texas Bikers II at: http://www.jjskewlstuffii.blogspot.com/ for rides, events & posts from Nov. 08-July 09. Until next post, ya'll be careful out there, ride safe, keep the rubber on the road & pray for our Troops & Pattie & Manuel................JOHN