LT Clinton Wermers, Mitchell, SD, 08 FEB 10

About a dozen Patriot Guard Riders, and hundreds of mourners, came out in inclement weather on Super Bowl Sunday and attended the visitation of Mitchell, SD, native Lt. Clinton Wermers, Naval Flight Instructor, at Mitchell, SD.

Lt. Clinton Wermers, age 33, died January 23, 2010 in New Orleans, LA. while on a training mission. He was a flight instructor. The trainee survived the crash of their T-34 Turbomentor into Lake Pontchartrain.

This was an especially meaningful mission for me, as I ride with the PGR in memory of my first cousin and best friend, Air Force Flight Instructor Capt Robert Swanson, who died in 1978, while also performing his duties, as a T38 flight instructor for our country. Knowing this, SD State Captain Jim Lentsch took me aside when I arrived, and asked if I would be the RC for this mission, an honor I humbly and tearfully accepted.

I met privately with Lt. Wermers' widow, Shannon, his brother, Kyle, and his father, Ronald, and gave them each a "bandaged heart pin." I could truthfully tell them I understood the pain and loss that they were feeling. A set of McDonough beads was also laid on the table in front of the numerous pictures of Lt. Wermers.

The high banks of snow along the sidewalks were utilized as flag pole holders, creating a beautiful avenue of flags for the mourners to walk through, and each member of the family greeted each one of us, thanking us for our presence, as did the three naval officers who attended the visitation. It continues to humble me that members of our military thank us for what we do.

(@) Pictures from mission

(@) PGR National Thread

Respectfully,

Alan Peterson
Marshall Sector Ride Captain