MIA Vietnam Vet Remains found. He is finally coming home- Arcadia, FLorida

Sgt James H. Alley

USAF MIA / KIA Vietnam War Hero

Arcadia, FL - 07, 08 MAY 10

The Family of USAF Vietnam War Hero, Sgt James Harold Alley, 22, has invited the Patriot Guard Riders to Stand in Honor of their Hero in a 3 part mission on 07 & 08 MAY 10.

Sgt Alley was born September 18, 1949 in Plantation, FL, graduated Stranahan High School, Ft. Lauderdale in 1967 and was a motion picture cameraman before he was drafted in 1969 at which time he enlisted in the Air Force; his tour in Vietnam started in 1971. Sgt Alley was assigned to Detachment 3, 600th Photo Squadron, Da Nang Air Base, Republic of Vietnam and flew numerous high risk missions documenting the activities of HH3 search and rescue aircrews.

With less than 2 weeks remaining in the Air Force, Sgt Alley was instructed to return to the 601st Photo Flight at Ubon RTAF, Thailand. As he was preparing to board an aircraft to take him out of the combat zone on 06 APR 72, a call was made for volunteers to fly a high risk search and rescue mission in 1st Corps. With no regard for his personal safety, Sgt Alley picked up his equipment and boarded the departing helicopter with 5 other crew members of the "Jolly Green 67".

During the mission, which was attempting to pick up an EB66 crew member (better known as the call-sign "BAT21", which a book and movie were made of the same name) was downed in enemy territory, the helicopter received several heavy hits from the ground, burst into flames and crashed at 1740 hrs, with no survivors.


Despite a group internment of the "Jolly Green 67" at Arlington National Cemetery on 19 NOV 97, Sgt Alley was still considered to be Missing in Action, whereas he, along with 2 other members of the crew, could not be positively identified at that time. About a month ago, Sgt Alley's brother, Tim, received a phone call from the USAF, stating that the Vietnam Government had recovered US Military Service personnel and with DNA testing, Sgt Alley was positively identified. Sgt Alley will be escorted Home from Honolulu by his brother Tim to his Final Resting Place in Arcadia.

Airport Escort - 07 MAY 10
All Times for the Escort are Tenative as Flight details are subject to change by the Air Force
Staging: 1030 hrs
Airport Crossing Rd (Map attached)
Ft. Myers
Which is one block south of the main entrance into RSW.
Briefing: 1100 hrs

KSU: 1115 hrs

Full LEO Escort
Route: I-75 to Exit 164 to US 17 N
Ponger-Grady Kays Funeral Home
50 N. Hillsborough Avenue
Arcadia, FL


Services - 08 MAY 10
Staging: 1100 hrs
DeSoto County Courthouse Annex
201 East Oak Street
Arcadia, FL

Briefing: 1130 hrs
Flagline: 1200 hrs
Services: 1230 - 1330 hrs
Ponger-Grady Kays Funeral Home
50 N. Hillsborough Avenue
Arcadia, FL

KSU: 1345 hrs
Full LEO Escort

Interment: 1400 hrs
Full Military Honors
Oakridge Cemetery
Arcadia, FL
(kick stand plates will be needed)

http://tinyurl.com/jamesalley
Please be advised that Arcadia is full of one way streets, if traveling from the south, the best route from I-75 is to take Exit 164, going north on US 17 into Arcadia, making a right on E Magnolia and then a left on N Hillsborough Avenue, then you will make a left into the Annex parking directly across the street from the funeral home. If traveling from the north, the best route from I-75 is to take Exit 217, going east on SR 70 into Arcadia, making a left on N Hillsborough Avenue, then you will make a left into the Annex parking directly across the street from the funeral home.

Please post your condolences and monitor the mission thread for any updates:
http://www.patriotguard.org/ALLForums/tabid/61/forumid/11/postid/1367301/view/topic/Default.aspx

Please bring your 3x5 American Flags to help me Honor Sgt James H. Alley as he did not hesitate to Stand for US 38 years ago and now it is our turn to Stand in Silent Respect for this True American Hero.

Ride Captain:
Joan "PGRLabLuvr" Colosimo
Florida Senior Ride Captain
PGRLabLuvr@patriotguard.org
239.404.1624

Assistant Ride Captain:
Lenny "Taz" Leary

Note: their is a Knights inn In Arcadia with reasonable prices that can be accessed through "Priceline". Please note the rooms are filling up fast. Make you're reservation early. IF you can't get a room camp in the damn parking lot! OR cram in with others.

ED. NOTE:  The U.S. government has wanted to claim that the MIA/POW issue is no longer an issue.
This is WRONG!  And this mission proves it!

We believe that the Vietnam war almost tore this country apart and as a result has left many unhealed wounds. We also believe that if every man or woman that can straddle a bike, no matter h ow far you have to ride, that this mission can go a long ways for helping to heals some of those wounds.

We encourage all who can attend to do so, whether or not you supported the war.  If you can attend and don't, well then.........Add to Technorati Favorites

Short Notice PGR mission Thomasville Ga. this eve and tomorrow

CONFIRMED MISSION: US ARMY MSG CARSON P. PATE, WWII & VIETNAM VETERAN, SERVED 1940-78.

Carson Prine Pate, 90, was born in Ray City, Georgia November 21, 1919. He was a member of Lodge# 369 Free and Accepted Masons, The York Rite and The Hasan Shrine Temple. Active in the lodge throughout his life, he represented the lodge in district, state, and national meetings, participating in their "Clown Corps" during his younger years.
A Veteran of World War II and Vietnam. He served in the first Air Calvary Division in Vietnam, and the 30th Signal Corps in the European front during World War II. With his unit seeing the most action during the war, including the aftermath of D-Day and the fight at The Battle of the Bulge. He served in peacetime at stations in Alaska, Germany, Virginia, and Georgia. During his service to his country, he was awarded various medals which include: Bronze Star medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Meritorious Service Medal, Commendation Ribbon with Medal Pendant with Oak Leaf Cluster, good conduct medal with 9th award, National Defense Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, American Defense Service Medal, World War II Victory Medal, Army of Occupation Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with five Bronze Stars (Combat Stars,)Vietnam Service Medal with Four Bronze Stars (Combat Stars,)Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, American Campaign Medal, World War II Unit Citation with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Vietnam Unit Citation with Palm, Aircraft Crewman Badge and five Overseas bars and nine Hash marks (Service Stripes). He retired from the service in 1973 from the United States Recruiting Headquarters in Hampton, Virginia.

He taught Jr. ROTC briefly in Newport News, Virginia until completely retiring in 1978. He spent the golden years serving the lodge, enjoying his friends and family, and indulging in his passion for gardening and propagating plants. He is preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Doris J. Chastain Pate, and is survived by his three children Linda C. Pate Cary and husband Robert A. Cary of Richmond, Virginia, Paula P. Pate of Thomasville, Georgia, and Carson P. Pate, Jr, and Cindy M. Pate of Griffin, Georgia. Grandchildren, Alison Cary Leap and Sarah Randolph Cary both of Richmond, Virginia, Caroline Pate, Katherine Anna Pate, and Sara Elizabeth Pate, all of Griffin, Georgia. One Great-Granddaughter, London Augustine Cary Leap of Richmond, Virginia.

Visitation: Whiddon-Shiver Funeral Home on Friday, April 30, 2010, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Graveside Services: Laurel Hill Cemetery on 15th street, on May 1, 2010 at 2:00 p.m.

The family has requested that the PGR provide a flagline for the visitation Friday night and an escort for the funeral services with Flagline on Saturday.

PLEASE BRING YOUR FLAGS

Vitation: 05:15 p.m. till 08:00 p.m. Friday 04/30/10
Whiddon-Shiver Funeral Home
10451 Hwy 84 E
Thomasville, Ga. 31757

Services: Stage 01:00 p.m. Saturday 05/01/10
Whiddon-Shiver Funeral Home
10451 Hwy 84 E
Thomasville, Ga. 31757Add to Technorati Favorites

Help on the Homefront, i.e HOTH is cranking up in Tallahassee area

Big Bend PGR folks, and those in need or those who would like to help.

Marjie Zylstra and Kim Conroy will be spear heading our area Patriot Guard Riders (PGR) Help on the Homefront (HOTH) activities. They are faithful PGR members.

Often times there are many needs of our soldiers and veterans and their families at home and overseas. As you already know we do welcome homes, send offs, etc. As needs arise, and there is something you could do to help, we'll notify you. We look forward to these HOTH efforts. If a need you know of arises, feel free to e-mail Marjie and/or Kim directly or you can contact Mike or I. Their e-mail addresses are Margie: Lenticels@aol.com and Kim: chimom3@comcast.net.

We all know that soldiers do not make much money. Often times when a soldier is overseas their families run into  problems they need help solving.  The range of needs includes almost anything you can think or.
giving back, working together,
I know these folk will be looking for trades men (carpenters, plumbing, electricians, etc.) and other who could volunteer their services.  Hoth operates on a shoe string budget. No one in HOTH receives a salary or compensation.

I take that back.  The compensation is having the opportunity to support those who fight for you!

But id you are unable to donate time but can help with funding contact one of the ladies above for more infoAdd to Technorati Favorites