Staff Sergeant Jonathan Turner’s trip home with PGR
Jonathan Turner joined the Marines in 1988 and served until 2014 when he retired. He deployed seven times including both Iraq and Afghanistan. He passed last year from injuries related to his service. His family couldn’t afford to collect his cremated remains from California to their own home in Georgia. Because they didn’t think it was appropriate for the hero to go home in FedEx box, the Patriot Guard Riders coordinated rides to escort the Staff Sergeant home all the way across the country, according to Atlanta’s Fox 5.
“The California Patriot Guard Riders contacted all of the state captains from California to Georiga and explained the situation, that it wasn’t proper to ship this war hero home via FedEx,” said Jeff Goodiel of the Georgia Patriot Guard Riders. Within days, a convoy was assembled with each state’s Patriot Guard Riders driving Turner’s cremated remains across their state and then passing those remains off to the next group of riders.
“It’s heartwarming, to see all these people here,” said Annie Glanton, Turner’s mother, “I know that he was loved by a lot of people.”
I know that it all happened back in August, but the story is news to me and I figure that the Patriot Guard Riders deserve recognition for the things they do for veterans that don’t make the news very often.
A few weekends ago, I said goodbye to my cousin, Scott, who was also a fan of this blog. He never served in the military, but hardly a veterans’ event happened back home that he didn’t attend as a PGR rider for more than a decade. Hundreds of local PGR riders attended his service and their presence was a source of strength to his family.
Thanks to Chief Tango for the story.
Category: We Remember
I read this story on one of the blogs yesterday. Very touching my congratulations to all involved, especially the various Patriot Guard Riders….great bunch of Americans!!
News to me too, Jonn. Thank you for posting this.
Semper Fi to all the PGR riders. Thank you for honoring that Staff Sergeant of Marines.
Heartfelt thank you to the PGR.
Great story for Veteran’s Day. good on yer, PG!
A Big Thank you to the PGR and a HOOAH…..
and a salute to a brother service member…..
I echo what was said above. The Patriot Guard Riders are salt-of-the-earth Americans who do great deeds. I see their alerts when I google the Fallen, announcing scheduling, the times, dates, and places for their legion to conduct escorts and other of their patriotic duties. They are an outstanding group of men and women and do what they do out of love, respect, and gratitude. Salute.
A noble act. However, when I see the PGR, I can’t help but wonder how many are posers or embellishers.
When I see anyone anywhere in the civilian world who sports a patch, wears a ribbon, has a mil tat, or otherwise appears to represent that he or she is a Veteran, I have the same reaction. It’s a shame that it is so, but it is so.
There’s still many good folks in this country. PGR is among them. Well done PGR!
Bravo Zulu to the PGR’s for doing their part to take a serviceman home to his family to put him to rest.
I’m a member of MN PGR (although I haven’t made many missions lately) and as a group, we don’t seek to have our egos stroked and hence do a low profile, honor, dignity, respect and then fade away until the next time.
I try to keep an eye out for any posers. I might have missed one or two, but if it does happen, it too, is pretty low keyed.
OC,
Thanks for the comment – ride safe!
Wow, it just got a bit dusty in here.
My salute to a Marine. You are home now and near your family.
PGR, thank you for taking this Hero back to his family.
I’ve ridden with the PGR for over a couple years now even though I haven’t gone since I sold my bike and got a cage.
It is an honor to serve those that cannot serve anymore.
I haven’t really noticed any posers but I am sure that there are some. They are really easy to spot when you talk to them about BCT or AIT or even their MOS.
Like I said, an honor to serve again. It’s the least I can do.
Please think about joining, you don’t have to have a bike, we need more people all over the US.
It’s easy and free to do too. Just gas to the site for the ceremony.
Some posers perhaps, but the mission of PGR is selfless in every respect. Can’t help but be thankful for their actions. May God bless you for all you have accomplished. Welcome home Marine. S/F
The PGR, ya gotta love Real People like them.
This is honor and valor on display. Well done, PGR
Was on the road and out of comm yesterday.
Thanks, PGR. Well done.
Well done PGR…