SHORT NOTICE HONOR MISSION
SFC Michael Anselm McDonnell, 82, US Army, Retired, Vietnam Veteran, Bronze Star Recipient, of Copperas Cove, TX
The family of Sergeant First Class Michael Anselm McDonnell has requested the presence and participation of the Patriot Guard Riders at the Funeral and Committal Services of their Loved One.
He completed his GED in the US Army, while serving eleven years in the Infantry and fifteen years in the Military Intelligence branch. Awards included the Combat Infantry Badge, the Army Commendation Medal, and the Bronze Star. During his tours in Vietnam he served as a (LRRP) Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol. He was also a Counterparts Advisor and he assisted the Vietnamese resettlement in Arkansas, after the war. His last assignment before retiring in 1983 at Ft Hood, was the three year tour with his family in Germany. From 1980-’81, Michael was one of fourteen USA soldiers in Berlin, who were assigned to (USMLM) the US Military Liaison Mission to the Group Soviet Forces, in Potsdam, East Germany. After his US Army Retirement, Michael served as an Officer in the Texas State Guard from 1990-’98. His entire obituary may be found here: https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/copperas-cove-tx/michael-mcdonnell-9197190?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=share_obit&utm_content=obituary&fbclid=IwAR2h0vV3gQFobSx8asHJ8J24My1i8p4heY_7-bDxEAOX4m-_PG3sYUVJiKI
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, TX 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.
IT WAS HOT !!
There were eleven riders in the procession, not including the couple with chopperhearse, to take SFC McDonnell for his last ride to his final resting place. Three PGR were at the Veteran's Cemetery to meet them, and the Patriot Guard was given the honor of pall bearing. Thank you to everyone who came out honor him.
