HONOR MISSION
1SG Ronald Lee Grunden, 78, US Army, Retired, Vietnam Veteran, Bronze Star Recipient, Copperas Cove, TX
The family of First Sergeant Ronald Grunden has requested the presence and participation of the Patriot Guard Riders at the Funeral and Committal Services of their Loved One. Ronald is a de facto "Grandpa" of our Ride Captain, Holly Melendez.
Ronald joined the Army in 1960. He had a very successful career in the Army rising to the rank of First Sergeant with duty all over the world including two year-long tours in Vietnam, where he was presented with the Bronze Star, before retiring in 1984. He then went on to a second career with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. He loved taking care of his place and could often be seen out mowing on his riding lawnmower. He liked spending time with his kids and grandkids and with his friends at the Little Tex restaurant in Cove. His full obituary may be found here: http://obits.dignitymemorial.com/dignity-memorial/obituary.aspx?n=Ronald-Grunden&lc=1796&pid=185167331&mid=7377519
Flagline Establishment: 1025 +/- Once the Funeral Service begins; we will strike the flagline and prepare to participate in the procession to the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery.
Staging Location: The cul-de-sac between the Walk of Heroes and the Memorial Shelter at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery, 11463 SH 195, Killeen, Texas 76542 (http://tinyurl.com/CenTexVetsCeme)
Setup & Briefing: Upon clearance and at the direction of the Ride Captain, we will move to the shelter, set up the flags, be briefed and await arrival of the procession from Copperas Cove.
