MAJ Tad T. Hervas, Coon Rapids, MN, 14, 16, 17 OCT 09



Fallen Heroes Welcome home 14 Oct 09 @ Holman Field, St.Paul, MN

The 47 Patriot Guard assembled at the north end of the building, again we had 100% support by base personnel. It is always a honor to work with the staff at the field. Our plan was to have the flagline set when the Hervas family arrived. The PGR were being addressed with a thank you by Maj. Kemp 30 minutes before the family was to arrive. We were all surprised when they drove up a half hour early.

But as usually the group snapped into a flagline in a matter of seconds as the Hervas family drove by. While they parked the flagline shifted to the entrance door creating a corridor of flags from the parking lot, across the street, and to the door so the 20 or so Hervas family members and friends could pass with honor to the door.

After the family entered, we stood down. Maj. General Shellito stopped by our group and gave the PGR his thanks for our support there and everywhere else we do so. It is always and honor and privilege to even be recognized for something that we do because our PGR hearts tell us to by such great men.

We then held our briefing, I asked for escort riders, all five members with bikes volunteered. Shortly after the briefing John Foster and Joe Egan started heading the group to the gate and single file out onto the field. Joe took the first 17 members to the north side of the glass windowed waiting area, the balance of the members lined on the south side leaving a area clear for the family and friends could watch the plane come in.

It should have looked organized and good to the family who were watching us as we came around the corner. I am proud of a group that puts complete strangers who have lost a loved one in front of their own needs. I think every one of them thinks about what they would want to see if they were in the family’s place. Our members have some of the biggest hearts and are proud to give a piece of it to honor these heroes.

After the plane landed I gave the signal, the north and 1/2 of the south PGR group move on to the tarmac creating an impressive corridor from the plane to the hanger where the coach/hearse was parked. When the plane was ready to transfer Maj. Hervas the hanger doors were opened and the other south half of the PGR pivoted to create one line from the plane to the coach/hearse. The family came out into the area encased in a wall of PGR proudly holding flags.

After the transfer, the family wanted a little time for themselves before leaving to the funeral home. The PGR quietly disembarked and reassembled lining the street where they waited for the coach/hearse and family’s exit. The motorcade was lead by an escort of 4 St.Paul Motor Patrol and two St.Paul squads. The Motor patrol led with the five PGR bike right behind them, then a squad, hearse, family, and a squad for a tailgunner. It was so cool to see perfectly performed lane changes in heavy freeway traffic with the tailgunner moving over a lane first, the lead moving the group over after he had it secured from the rear. They did an excellent job of keeping the motorcade safe and performed a perfectly executed mission moving Maj. Hervas from Holman Field to the funeral home in Mpls. I personally would ride with these guys anytime.

Visitation 16 Oct 09 @ Washburn-McReavy funeral home in Coon Rapids, MN

The PGR had the permission of the Coon Rapids VFW to park and assemble in their parking lot which was directly behind the funeral home. We had a very short briefing and everyone just took a place to honor the family and guests of Maj. Hervas. Again very little guidance was needed, the group there just knew what was needed and did it. During the 5 hours of visitation there were 45 PGR that filtered in and out of the flagline.

Family arrived at 1500, about 10 minutes after the PGR had the flagline set. The visitation started at 1600 and there people arriving continuosly from the time the family arrived until about 1900. Shortly after we set the line one of the funeral home directors came out and told us that they had put coffee in their garage so if we wanted to take a break and warm we could there. Everyone at the funeral home and family were so nice to us, it was hard to believe we were there to honor them and Maj. Hervas.

At about 1700 there were so many visitors coming and going that Joe Egan, Taco, and a few other members had to put on safety vests and radios to get people in, parked, and out again safely, thanks guys for stepping in and doing the traffic control. What a versatile and talented group.

At 1900 the visitation slowed a little so Geno, Audrey, and I went in and presented to plaque to Maj. Hervas’s mom and dad. Shortly after I asked for permission to let the flagline come in to show their respect to Maj. Hervas and was granted the honor to do so by Maj. Kemp. About 15 members lined up and walked down the main aisle, they went two at a time to honor Maj. Hervas. As each member exited they were met and thanked by Major hervas’s brother and sister in-law, which broke into tears every time a PGR walked up to do the honors to Maj Hervas.

At 1950 Mike Mcdonough and Taco moved the whole flagline to surround the hearse just prior to Brad and the Honor Guard transferring Maj Hervas. After the transfer at 2000 and family retreating back into the funeral home the two of them returned the PGR to the enterance to await the family’s departure.

Services 17 Oct 09 @ Zion Lutheran Church in Anoka, MN.

The PGR had permission from the Fred Moore Middle School in Anoka to park and stage in the south parking lot. We had 49 PGR assembled there for this segment of the mission. Most had the treat of going to the world famous Han’s bakery while we staged. The flagline was in place and moved because of changes prior to the family arriving. Again Major Kemp (the CAO) was there to address the group with a thank you. A flyover of Maj. General Shellito arriving via helicopter was a neat sight to see.

The parking lots and street filled quickly as I expected with family and guests for Maj. Hervas. I was glad we parked a short ways away so they had the parking close by for themselves. After everyone was in the PGR was dismissed to head to Ft. Snelling. As we arrived at the parking I asked for only riders without passengers for the motorcade. After the services were over a small group stood a flagline waiting for Maj. Hervas to be brought out for his final trip. While waiting we had Maj. General Shellito honor us with a visit, it is always a delight to have him stop and talk with the group.

I am glad I did ask for no passengers because we were needed for assisting the escort with traffic control, because the LEO was not available with other duties when it was time to leave. We worked out a plan with Todd, the escort. Basicaly he would trip the lights with his opticon, secure the intersection, and point where he needed us to road guard while he when to the next one. The trip though downtown Anoka and all the stop lights on 169 in Champlin and Osseo went well. In fact the first 30 miles went really well with no issues keeping the 45 plus vehicle procession together.

Once on 494 east we had lots of rude and un-respectful drivers breaking up the procession. Our team still did a safe and good job of keeping the group on track to Ft. Snelling. Of course because we were making sure everyone got there safely we missed out on leading the procession to the shelter.

It looked like the procession was strung out about a mile. I don’t know if you can imagine a mile long procession going through a busy city road system, but it is a major accomplishment on everyone’s part. I want to thank Todd for his expert leadership on the mission. I wish all of the escort services worked with us as well as he did, Todd worked as a great ride captain and we were able to follow his lead.

We did need to leap frog our team because of all the places we need to be, however we never needed to go faster than traffic. Todd kept the procession at 40-45 in the left lane. When ever one of the riders needed to get back up front we just rode with the faster moving traffic in the right lane, worked awesome.

Interment 17 Oct 09 @ Ft. Snelling, MN.

As stated previously, because we were making sure everyone got there safely we missed out on leading the procession to the shelter. However that was OK, it wasn’t about us making an entrance, the family’s needs out weighed ours and we were glad to accomplish what we could for them. The escort group pulled in through the back gate just in time for the service. I don’t have a exact count but it looked as if there were about 40-50 flags help by proud and honorable PGR.

(@) PGR National Thread

Thank you Maj. Tad T. Hervas for your sacrifice, Thank you the whole Hervas family for your sacrifice and the honor to be present to honor Tad with you.

Thank you to Maj. Kemp for your professionalism and making sure we were involved in this honorable mission that we could be. It was a honor to work with you.

Thank you to both the Coon Rapids VFW and the Fred Moore Middle School for allowing us to use your parking lots.

Thanks to Jeff Good and Phil Pesheck for taking care of the LEO when changes happened.

And Patriot Guard, what can I say other than you are the best people in the world. Thank you for making this and all other missions a success.

Tim