"Stang had mentioned she wanted our friend "Papa Roger" to give a speech, and say a prayer so I contacted him and he readily agreed. NOW you have to understand "Papa" is totally DEAF!. but he always likes to "Say something intelligent", and he is funny and very smart. I asked him to say something about the times Frankie lived in. That was a start.
Now I needed a speaker for the action that Frankie had seen in the Pacific. I approached = the local Commandeer of the Marine Corp league, and was assured they would help but as it turned out I was brushed aside, Seems he is too busy in Politics to worry about a small potato. My Opinion that is. So as the day came closer I turned to a wonderful friend that has the right contacts. LOL I asked Shelaine for the contact information for a retired Air Force General that does some local speaking. She was getting me the information and had also volunteered to take his place if I needed her. Shelaine is a "Former Active Duty" Marine, and a wonderful person. As I was thinking about it, I made the decision, "A Marine for a Marine" and told her I would like her to do the talk about WWII. What a great decision that was.
Another Friend was to do the "Thirteen Folds" of the flag, but at the last moment had to pull out. Well in true PGR fashion, we selected another to do the folds .
Everything fell into place, and I worried until it was over that something would go wrong.
The day of the Mission came, and it was a nice sunny hot Day. I headed to the Post to meet Larry and Frank, and get things set up. Lana made a run to Walmart to pick up the cake. and soon riders started coming in. We had riders come in from Tulsa OK, Little Rock and Ft. Smith AR, As well as our local group. Carl & Gay came in from Prairie Grove. and many from the Siloam Springs area, and others. in all we had close to 40 bikes.
Many of Franks Relatives arrived, and at the beginning of the service a flag line was formed and they were escorted through it for the service.
I acted as MC for the ceremony, and Papa Roger gave a wonderful fun filled talked on the 40's. he even sang a Hank Williams song. Tommy and Levi folded the flag while a new member Mike, read the 13 folds, Shelaine gave one of the most wonderful talks on the USMC and WWII that I have ever heard.
After the service we all mingled and had Cake and cold drinks to wait for the procession to Westville.
I left for Westville to set up flags for the riders, and meet with the Honor Guard led by an old friend Gary. I had went out that morning to set US and Marine Flags at the graveside to mark it and also a wreath for the service. I had also put a flag at the road to mark the area.
Soon we could hear the bikes coming through Westville and as we looked, there was a Westville Police unit and a Westville Fire Truck leading them. As they arrived they grabbed their flags and formed a flag line around the graveside. The VFW did a wonderful job on the Rifle Salute and Taps, and refolded the Flag and Presented it to Frank Jr, as should have been done 10 years ago.
It was a wonderful service, I am so glad I took on this task. A family has closure, they all feel better, and We have given them a bit of happiness. Any labor Mental or physical is returned sevenfold when you see how much the families appreciate it. The smiles the Thank Yous, the Hugs. Seeing their Pride in their fathers service.
I did not manage this alone I had a lot of folks assisting me in this endeavor.
Bob (Goatlick) was arranging everything with the Cemetery,, and Funeral Homes in Westville so we did not have our service at the same time as one of them, and he was arranging Police Escort through Westville to get to the cemetery.
Frank (Sparkplug) assisted in arranging the Rogers Arkansas VFW Honor Guard to do Full Military Honors.
"Stang contacted the Funeral Home that handled Franks services and obtained the Casket Flag.
Tommy (Dragman) Also helped me in planning and by organizing a group of riders to come from the Tulsa area.
And most of all my wonderful Wife Amanda (Snapshot) who helped keep me sane and focused when the road was rocky. She is my rock and without her I would not be able to do what I do.
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