--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The service was very nice! PGR is more an honor and escort mission, in this mission we were part of the service, a first for all of us, I think. It was an honor, I don't have the words to express the feeling of love, respect and gracious memory of an American hero that was expressed today. Thank you again for allowing us to be there.
Joe Kleinsmith is the VFW Chaplain and conducted the service and did a fine job. Many good words were spoken about Jon by his family, he was truly a loved and lucky man, and a man of God.
Jon's service was a true definition of a celebration of life. God bless and comfort the family and and friends of this hero! Jon's ashes will be scattered at a later date by the USN.
We had a nice turn out even with multiple events happening today. Sloopdog, Woody, Don B and I arrived at the staging site.
It was interesting, I arrived early so I could do a test ride, I don't like to get lost. I arrived at the staging early, and the other three arrived together, I asked them where they met, and they didn't, they just all arrived at the same time.
About time for us to leave a car pulled up with a young lady, and she said she knew Don, well it turns out it was one of the Honor Guards and she recognized our flags and Don.
1300 KSU and off we went... and I missed the turnoff, sigh, I'll never live that one down...
We arrived at the home and it was on the beach, right across the road from the ocean. The bike on the right is Joe Kleinsmith's who helped me with the details, he is the VFW Chaplain in Santa Cruz. BTW both Joe and Jon's widow Janet are PGR members and Janet is looking to get a motorcycle and join us at missions. Hope to see them again.
Sloopdog, Don B and Joe K.
Janet talking to Woody, she had a nice vest on.
Woody taking some pics, so I reciprocated.
Love the ocean so had to take a picture.
Another picture of the bikes, Woody's was on the other side of the first car.
This is after the service, Don B, myself, Janet, Woody and Sloopdog. The dog is Jon's and as I remember the dogs name is Bill. The entire family, and there were children and grand children there, were very gracious! I cannot thank them enough for the warmth and welcome we received. They felt like old friends and that's the way we were treated.
After the service we were all treated to hot dogs, hamburgers and beer, how could we refuse? As I recall, not an effort was made GBG!
Hot tub in the back and folks having a great time, a true celebration of a great life!
A very nice setting...
If we eat and drink too much..
Woody, Don, Joe, Janet and Sloopdog. To the PGR that made this mission, thank YOU for YOUR service!!!
And in the meaning of celebration of life that we live on two wheels, when we left, we went up Soquel San Jose Rd to summit, over to Old Santa Cruz Rd around Lexington and bypassed almost all of 17 and it was a gorgeous ride. Woody chose to go up 17 as he has never ridden it, I hope he had a good time, I know we did!! GBG
No comments:
Post a Comment