Patriot Guard Riders Itinerary to Honor and Pay Respect to John David Latimer

[Disco]

If anyone is planning to attend and thinking about riding, I am riding this mission with the PGR.  DFG

FINAL ITINERARY


John David Latimer; Lieutenant Commander

United States Navy; World War II

Mission Date; March 18, 2009

John David Latimer, born on September 7, 1918, at Bogata (Mauldin School House), Texas, died at home in Richardson, Texas, on March 12, 2009.  Mr. Latimer served his country proudly as an officer and World War II fighter pilot in the United States Navy.  He flew the Grumman F6F Hellcat in the Pacific off the aircraft carriers USS Enterprise and USS Hornet in 1943 and 1944.
 

Ride Captain:  
Dewey “Diehard” Dyer; 214-316-8730 (c); dgd8730@sbcglobal.net

Part 1 – Funeral and Escort:  Wednesday, March 18, 2009 - 1:30 PM; Mountain Creek Church

Staging - 11:30 AM; Briefing - 11:45 AM

Mountain Creek Community Church

5950 Eagle Ford Drive

Dallas, TX  75249

972-296-8919

Map - http://tinyurl.com/dcaz5g
 

From the 5900 block of Eagle Ford Drive you will turn onto a private road called Prayer Mountain Lane and go up the hill to get to the church.


The family and guests have been invited to begin arriving at the church at 12:30 PM.  We will set up a flag line prior to the funeral service and stand the line to receive family and guests as they arrive.  Once the service begins we will break down the flag line and prepare to ride in the procession to the cemetery.  The church is located very near Mountain Creek Parkway, which will take us straight to DFW National Cemetery, less than 6 miles away.  An escort company has been hired to provide traffic control.  As we arrive at the cemetery, big flag bikes please remain with the procession as it stages at the visitor center and all other bikes/cages please continue on to the area below the shelters for staging and assistance with flag setup.  We will learn shelter assignment while at the church.  Riders not participating in the escort portion of the mission please see Part 2 below.

 

Part 2 - Interment Service:  Wednesday, March 18, 2009 - 3:00 PM; DFW National Cemetery

Staging - 2:15 PM; Briefing – Upon arrival of escort

DFW National Cemetery

2000 Mountain Creek Parkway

Dallas, TX  75211

214-467-3374

Map - http://tinyurl.com/6xvnw7
 

Riders not participating in the escort portion of the mission please check the announcement board at the visitor center for shelter assignment when you arrive and please proceed to the parking area below the shelter for staging and briefing.  We will use flags stored at the shelter and set up as soon as possible following the service prior to Mr. Latimer’s.


Weather:  Forecast is for mostly clear skies with a high of 79 degrees.
 

Please remember that our mission is to stand tall, silent, and with honor and respect for this American patriot from the greatest generation and his family. 
 

Iron Horses if you can; cages are always welcome and appreciated. 


The flag/water truck will be present.
 

Respectfully Submitted,
 

Dewey Dyer
North Texas Ride Captain

 

[Houdini]

Dave, I received an ok for the day off tomorrow so I would like to join you.  Will the VRCers that show up be able to ride together or are we gonna be mixed up into the PGR?

Chuck

[Baron]

Dave,

I have a Dr appointment in the morning but I plan to ride with the PGR also.

Chuck,

I am not sure what the plans are but normally we line up as we get there.  Then we have the big flag bikes lead.

[Disco]

There will be plenty of time and flexibility to allow the VRCCers to assemble together.  The configuration for the procession will be flag bikes, the rest of the bikes (with perhaps the VRCCers at the rear of the rest, or closest to the family - good idea, Chuck), flower cars, family cars, attendees' cars, with 2 flag bikes at the rear.  Upon entering the cemetery, the flag bikes will stop at the visitors center with the procession and remain there.  The rest of the bikes will proceed to the shelter and assist with flag line setup.  When the site is prepared, the procession, with flag bikes in front and rear, will come to us.

I had to sign a release the prior to the first mission I rode with the PGR.  In case we have first-timers tomorrow, I have asked, but not yet received an answer, if the release form is available online for download, printing, and signing, or will be available onsite at the initial staging.  I'll post those details when I receive them.

Considering we three are all north-siders, should meetup on the way down, or not?

[Houdini]

Considering we three are all north-siders, should meetup on the way down, or not?

I'll have to meet you guys there.  I am going to hit the office first thing in the morning to make sure there are no fires and will probably hang around until time to head to the staging area.  Is 11:30 the correct time to be there to begin staging?

if the release form is available online for download, printing, and signing, or will be available onsite at the initial staging.

I browsed the PGR site looking for a form but I couldn't find one; hopefully, if it is a necessity, they will have some there.

Chuck

[RainMaker]

I think I'll be there - I have to finish up the front tire replacement tonite.

My doc said if I fall off, I can go to another doctor so make sure I don't fall off!!!

Mark aka RainMaker

[Baron]

Dave,

I have an infusion tomorrow morning, for my arthritis, which takes a couple hours so I might not make it to the church but I am sure going to try my hardest.  If not I will definitly make it to the DFW National Cemetary.

[RainMaker]

Tire finished.  See you at the church at 11:15.

[Disco]

Lemondrop is going to call me when she knows her departure schedule.  If she can get away in time to ride and still get there before people start arriving, I'll wait for her and we'll ride in together.  Bottom line is we may not be there by 11:15.   

[godfire]

I can't make it.
My heart goes with you folks.

[SideCar]

See you there at the funeral, but in cage with Julie.

[huckleberry]

See you there at the funeral, but in cage with Julie.
[/quote]

[huckleberry]

We are very sad to hear about your loss .although we have not met.Huckleberry,San Antonio Chapter

[RainMaker]

A very moving ceremony for a true American hero was celebrated on March 18th for John David Latimer.

We met up with the PGR group at 11:30am.  They told us what to do, when to do it and are a very nice group of people.  For the ceremony, the Patriot Guard did a great job.  They placed large American flags along the path of the church, then the members (including us VRCC folks) stood one each at every flag to honor the family.  They then rode with large flags on an honor guard set of bikes, followed by the rest of us.  For the ride yesterday, the VRCC riders rode in back, nearest the family.

Riders from the DFW VRCC yesterday were Dave Garb (on the GWing), El Gato (Mike on his Triumph), Vermithrax (Chuck on his I/S), Thalas'shaya (Kim on her Tourer), LemonDrop (Jean on her I/S), RainMaker (Mark on his I/S) and ValkyRick (Ricky came in from Stillwater on his I/S).  Baron (David) joined us at the cemetery on his I/S.  In attendance from the VRCC were Subman (Terry) and his wive, SideCar (Gary), Julie and the Touchstone family, all in their cages. Cassie was there looking pretty in a royal purple dress along with her mom.  Janet (Dave's boss) was also there.  I hope I didn't miss anyone.

At the National Cemetery, the flag riders stopped at the front of the cemetery with the family as the rest of us proceeded to the ceremony pavilion and again set up flags all around.   The sounds of the flags rippling in the breeze while being surrounded by the brave souls who inhabit this sacred ground brought tears to my eyes.  Taps was played and the family visited and remembered John David.  It was one of the nicest memorial services I can recall.

We hope we honored the Latimer family with our presence.  We were certainly honored to be there.

RM

[Houdini]

Dang it Mark, I was perfectly content telling myself it was allergies causing my eyes to water during the ceremony.

Chuck

[LemonDrop]

.

[Wanderer]

Yea, in hind sight, a guy should always have a pair of dress sunglasses for just such occasions. My daughter wouldn't let me wear the blue mirrored pair I hide behind at our Ride For Kids event in October (shameless plug).

It was overwhelming topping the hill to the church and seeing all the flags and folks gathered to honor Dad and his service to country. Choked me up big time. Friends and relatives are still commenting on what a huge addition the Patriot Guard and you guys were to the celebration. Thanks to each of you for taking time away from work and such to be at John David's party - whether you were actually there or there in spirit as was my Great American Hero. ~Jeff