PGR - John Cavanagh, USAF, Vietnam Veteran - good friend

Pics are from top to bottom, click on a pic for a larger pic, text for a pic is under the pic.  Alternately, you can right mouse the pic and open it in a new window and then click it again for an even larger pic.

Link (may take a few seconds to load, to PGR threadl:  USAF John Cavanagh and Good Friend

-------------------- Late update, included professional photographers pics at the bottom.  -------------  Below dividing line ---------------------

One of our Vietnam Vets passed, this time it was a good friend, had many happy Friday afternoons after work having a couple beers and lots of laughs...  Miss Ya my friend!!  Prop the gates open for us, cause we will have to sneak in!!! GBG  (Great Big Grin)

I asked my buddy Jim Odell to make a request to Johnny's wife Dee to see if she would be kind enough to allow PGR to escort Johnny to his resting place, and she did.   Thank you very much for allowing us to attend!!  It was an honor to see my good friend off, and for the family to see how this country feels about our vets.

And I have to say our Sacramento PGR contingent did an outstanding job!!  Nothing but accolades!  From the family, I didn't know,  flawless escort, outstanding, and one comment from my friend Jim, unbelievable!  

It's what we do, it is appreciated, and we know it.  Until you've been on the receiving end of a mission, you can't image the effect you have on loved ones.  I've ridden for years, but a couple have been real close to my heart!  Thank you for what you do!  God Bless and ride safe! 

Let me start out with  my favorite pic:

All of us at our favorite Friday afternoon fun place, about 10 years ago,  John in the red shirt:

And one more with Paul in the pic...

 

And on to the blog.....

I arrived early and had to "take care of some business", it was a 2 hour ride and needed a break at the office.  They've done a lot of work here,  when I attended the cemetery dedication many years ago, it was just a couple trailers.

Notice the flag pole behind Ruby?  Dead sock, and that is NOT normal for this area!

Got back out to the entrance, where I wanted to meet Johnny's family and escort, I had chatted with the folks waiting for a bit before going to the office.

Closer shot, I went up and thanked them all for attending my friends service!

Sacramento Valley National Cemetery 5810 Midway Rd Dixon, Ca. 

Nice quiet neighborhood...

The Ride Captain (RC) Mickey Giacomo coming in to establish parking arrangements.  Thank you my friend for doing this and thank all that rode..  We had 27 scoots, 2 cages and an outstanding showing for Johnny's family!!!

And here comes Johnny's family and the escort, best my cheap camera could do..

 

At staging, they have two parking zones and two committal shelters for services.  They run them with military precision.

The escort scoots front, I couldn't get them all in in one shot...

Back, and then the ones leading the family.

Those folks..  They do a great job, have CB radio communication, the RC tells the tailgunner I want to change lanes, and the tailgunner works the escort and no one notices how it works... it is smooth and simple, an art!  Thank you all for what you do!

The family, Son Jim, John and wife Janine and Jim Odell, Dee is in taking care of paperwork at the office.  John has a daughter Jennifer overseas and could not make it.

I get to be in my favorite position, tailgunner for the final ride. Jim O car front of me.

The office folks have to make sure and tag Johnny.

Dee holding Johnny with son Jim.

The family waiting for the final escort.   Notice the flag is moving a bit? 

We get to the committal shelter, the escorts went ahead and established a flag line for the family to walk thru.

The escort scouts on the far side.

Jimmy watching the procession.

This is what the families see as they walk in for final services. This is what your family will see after you pass....  Think about it!  

Assistant RC Bill Waits and professional photog on the right, and I'll get a CD of his pics.

The Honor Guard, they will get Johnny and his flag out of the white SUV on the left.

And into the committal shelter.

The RC watching the movement, getting ready for flanking the shelter.

The RC in the middle has told folks to split and surround the committal shelter to honor the family.

On the right....

and left.

The flag they took in has to be unfolded fully, taps and vets salute, civilians place hands over heart and all that can stand.

Taps, always haunting.   Don't want to bust any bubbles, but look inside the instrument, it has an insert, it is electronic, sigh...

All saluting.

Taps are over and time to refold the flag to be presented to Dee.

Jimmy on the right and family in front.

They are finishing folding the flag.  I'm sure Johnny, right behind them, is watching!

On the left side...  it is nice to look outside the shelter and see all those flags!!!

I was talking to Jimmy, after the family went to put Johnny in his final resting place, and took a pic out towards the road... took three shots to get them all in....

I took one final shot... Johnny's family visiting after placing Johnny home for eternity.  God Bless Ya my friend!!! Remember, prop the gates open!!!  We need all the help an insider can give us!!! 

'til we meet again......  

                                   --------- Pro's Pics -------------------

The pics start at the Commitment Center where John's service was held.  I bypassed the prep and early pics as most have them on CD.  Not any text, just pics.