This past week was a difficult one for the entire state of Georgia, our PGR family and most importantly the families of these fallen soldiers.
On Friday 05June09 the DOD announced the deaths of three Georgia Army National Guardsmen.
Major Kevin M. Jenrette, SSgt. John C. Beale and Spec. Jeffery W. Jordan were killed near Kapisa, Afghanistan of wounds suffered from an improvised explosive device and small arms fire. They were assigned to the 1st. Battalion, 108th Reconnaissance, Surveillance and Target Acquisition Squadron, 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Georgia Army National Guard.
Many of us were involved in the send-off ceremonies and escorts back in March when these troops deployed from their respective Armories for additional training and ultimate duty stations in Afghanistan.
This week, three of these HEROES made their final trip home. A grateful nation, state, community and its people were there to honor them.
The mission began on Friday 05June09 with a phone call to RC Jan Johnson from Mrs. Crystal Beale. Jan and Crystal had met back in March during the deployment send-off. Jan had given Crystal her card telling her that the PGR stood ready to assist these soldiers and families in any way during their deployment. When the terrible news came of John?s death, Crystal remembered what Jan had told her and immediately placed a call to her.
Although not what any of us had hoped for, we promised the soldiers of the 108th that we would be here for them when they returned home from their deployment. The PGR would hold true to that promise and was now enlisted by the Beale family to be there when John made his final journey home.
Having personally met SSgt. Beale and his wife Crystal during the send-off, this would now be a ?Full Circle? mission. I was proud an honored to be selected as RCIC for this mission.
Sgt. Major Joe Shubert was assigned as CAO for the Beale family. His professionalism and genuine concern for them would be the rock that the Beale family would lean on during there darkest hour. Sgt. Major Hubert?s assistance was instrumental in organizing and planning our mission for SSgt. Beale.
While scouting out the different locations for the mission I was able to meet with and offer our condolences to Mrs. Beale and her family. It was at this meeting that I was introduced to SSgt. Beale?s son and daughter, Christopher and Calie.
As the mission details were being worked out, it was determined that SSgt. Beale would be arriving on Thursday 11June09. In a terrible twist of fate, the same date that Christopher would be turning 13 years old. This birthday should have been a celebration of the beginning of his teen years; instead it would coincide with the day his father, HIS HERO, was to be brought home.
After meeting and talking to Sgt. Major Shubert, the local law enforcement agencies, funeral director and various community leaders, it was becoming obvious that this community was going to show the Beale family, in a huge way, how much John?s service and ultimate sacrifice meant to them. Nothing was going to stop this community from offering their love and support for this grieving family.
SSgt. Beale arrived at Peachtree City/Falcon Field at 6:00 on Thursday evening. 11June09
Nearly 90 bikes and well over 100 PGR members were there to honor this soldier?s journey home. Local law enforcement and first responder vehicles stood ready to escort our HERO on the 40-mile trip to Cannon Cleveland Funeral Home in McDonough, Georgia.
On the airport tarmac our flag line was set. Scores of Active Duty Military, Veterans groups, LEO, and family friends awaited our HEROS arrival.
Kalitta Air, wheels down, signaled SSgt. Beale?s return to Georgia soil, to his wife and to his children. We were called to attention and to present arms as the deplaning and transfer took place. This heartbroken family then privately and lovingly welcomed John home. Shortly thereafter we mobilized and began the escort to the funeral home.
Nothing could have prepared me for the turnout by local citizens, businesses and patriots in every community and neighborhood that we passed through. Throngs of people lined almost the entire route. Many displayed flags, signs, and gestures of gratitude for our HERO. Active duty personnel, Veterans from every service branch, scout troops, little league teams, and parent?s with children in tow were everywhere. Police, fire, and first responder vehicles were stationed at intersections throughout the route. Two Clayton County helicopters flew overhead for the entire route. This was easily the largest outpouring of community support that I have ever witnessed on any mission.
Per the family?s wishes co-workers of John and Crystal were included in the escort.
In honor of his father and his father?s appreciation of what the PGR stands for, Christopher rode backseat on a bike during the escort.
The Military Honor Guard respectfully transferred SSgt. Beale into the funeral home with his Comrades and Patriot Guard members at attention. A Military and Law Enforcement detail was assigned a 24/7 vigil until the Funeral Service on Saturday.
The visitation on Friday was from 2:00pm-4:00pm & 6:00pm-8:00pm and was attended by several PGR members, including three new members. During the second half of the visitation there was a Korean War Veteran being honored by his own family and friends in another chapel of the funeral home. In speaking with this family they conveyed to me the privilege they felt sharing this space and time with SSgt. Beale. After paying my respects to this Veteran and family I told them that I was certain that each of these HEROES would be honored with each other?s presence.
Thanks to the generosity of PGR & WWR members I was able to present SSgt. Beale?s children a ?Build a Bear? in memory of their father, complete with military fatigues and dog tags with their fathers picture on them. Each bear was also pinned with a PGR Mission Accomplished pin.
The funeral service for SSgt. Beale was scheduled for Saturday 13June09 at Eagles Landing First Baptist Church at 1:00pm. Our staging was at the Publix Supermarket parking lot at 11:00am. On arrival at the staging area there were already several bikes & cages there. Over the next 30 minutes there was a steady stream of seasoned members, new members and many other groups and individuals arriving to show their respect for our HERO and his family. Under LEO escort we made our way to the church. By the time the service started there were over 160 bikes along with several support vehicles and cages.
Two flag wagons provided all of the flags that they could muster, along with water for a very hot afternoon. Thanks Soretoe & Bubblehead.
The flag line was set in front of the church awaiting the arrival of the Beale Family. We were called to attention and to present arms as they arrived. Once inside the church the service began.
At this point our best laid out plans began changing, and continued to change several more times prior to our scheduled departure time to the cemetery. As we often do, we adjusted and carried out our mission to the best of our ability.
At the conclusion of the church service we were again called to attention and to present arms as the Military Honor Guard transferred SSgt. Beale to the hearse.
Due to the large number of motorcycles and cars, and at the request of law enforcement half of the bikes were sent ahead with the Military Honor Guard to the cemetery, where they would set up the flag line and await the arrival of our HERO.
The 20-mile processional to the cemetery from McDonough to just outside Fayetteville, Georgia was once again overflowing with grateful Americans lining the streets. This display of respect, honor and appreciation for SSgt. Beale and his family was truly a patriotic and wonderful sight.
The small country cemetery that would be SSgt. Beale?s final resting place was quickly filled to capacity, and then some by the 160 plus motorcycles, PGR support vehicles and cages, 30 plus Law Enforcement vehicles and well over 200 vehicles with relatives and friends of SSgt. Beale and his family.
The committal service began with comforting words from The Beale family Pastor. Remarks and Honors from the Military attaché followed. Once at attention and arms presented, a final Gun Salute, Taps, and the folding and presenting of the American Flag followed. Two Army Nation Guard Choppers loudly and impressively appeared from beyond the tree line and maneuvered overhead into the ?Missing Man? formation.
I would like to offer my sincere THANKS to those involved in supporting this mission to honor SSgt. John C. Beale.
PGR Brothers & Sisters
All American Patriots present
Henry County Police Department
Henry County Sheriff?s Department
McDonough Police Department
Clayton County Police Department
Clayton County Sheriff?s Department
Hampton Police Department
Fayette County Sheriff?s Department
Peachtree City Police Department
Georgia State Patrol
Kalitta Air Charter
Peachtree City Airport/Falcon Field
Cannon Cleveland Funeral Home
Eagles Landing First Baptist Church
Camp Memorial Cemetery
Co-workers @ Clayton County Water Authority
Citizens and Businesses of Henry, Clayton and Fayette Counties
SSgt. John C. Beale?Thank You Sir for your service and for the ultimate sacrifice that you have given for your country and for her people, in that we will remain a free nation.
MISSION COMPLETE?KROD
Discussion Zen 5 Speculation (EPYC Turin and Strix Point/Granite Ridge - Ryzen 9000)
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