The Patriot Guard Riders have been invited to participate in a Groundbreaking Ceremony, sponsored by Helping a Hero, Lennar Home Builders, and Bass Pro Shops, for a new home build for USMC Corporal Ryan Garza, on Monday, May 8, 2023 at 11:00AM. The future home site is near 8214 Mount Kataka Street, Littleton, CO 80125.
Corporal Ryan Garza joined the Marine Corps in April, 2008 and found his purpose with his brothers in arms. His first deployment was with Combat Logistics 8 in the Helmand Province of Afghanistan. Ryan volunteered to stay for a back-to-back tour in which he was then transferred to Combat Logistics Regiment 2. During his third tour of duty where he was re-deployed to Helmand Province as a Sweep Team Leader, they experienced multiple IED attacks and many challenges as the war escalated. Despite the danger, Ryan volunteered for a fourth tour where his unit once again experienced significant fire fights almost daily. During his final mission, he was in a 7-ton truck when it was hit by an IED. Ryan lost his right leg and sustained other injuries requiring intensive rehabilitation. Ryan spent 13 months in the Naval Medical Center and retired in November, 2012. Helping A Hero is a 501(c)(3) organization, founded in 2006, that provides support for military personnel severely injured in the war on terror. The principal activity is to provide specially adapted homes for qualifying service members through partnerships made with builders, developers, communities, and the veteran. Helping A Hero strives to engage the community in providing services and resources for our wounded heroes and their families. Additionally, Helping A Hero provides additional support programs such as marriage programs, caregiver programs, recreational activities, emotional and financial support.
This will be a two part mission, consisting of a procession from a TBD Location to the homesite, and a Flag Line for the procession arrival and Opening Ceremony for the groundbreaking. Following a prayer, Pledge of Allegiance, and National Anthem, the PGR will breakdown the Flag Line and leave the site in order to support early afternoon Interment Services. This has been coordinated with Helping a Hero. They wish to have us back in November for the Key Ceremony where the home will be presented to Corporal Garza. Part 1 – Procession 9:45AM Stage at 8214 Mount Kataka Street, Littleton, CO 80125 10:00AM Briefing – Riders MUST be present for briefing to participate. 10:10AM Depart and be lead to Procession Starting Point ‘Damnit Jim’ Balcerovich and Dick Bares will serve as Ride Captains for Part 1. Part 2 – Groundbreaking Opening Ceremonies 10:15AM Stage, 8214 Mount Kataka Street, Littleton, CO 80125 10:30AM Briefing 10:45AM Set Flag Line for procession arrival and Opening Ceremony Kathy ‘Rat’ Goldstein will serve as Ride Captain for Part 2 and will bring Flags. Jim Herstein jwherst@aol.com 303-518-8790
I plan to attend part 2.
I will be there for both parts
Mike
It will be my honor and privilege to help form the flag line for the 2nd portion of this event to honor Ryan Garza's service at his new home groundbreaking event.
I plan to attend part 2.