THREE PART HONOR MISSION
1LT Louis Girard, 20, US Army, WWII Veteran, KIA, OF West, TX
The family of First Lieutenant Louis Girard has requested the presence and participation of the Patriot Guard Riders during the Airport Recovery, Arrival, and Committal Services of their Loved One.
Louis attended Texas A&M University and left his studies in February 1941 to join the Royal Canadian Air Force. He was sent to England in January 1942 and participated in many air raids over enemy territory. In September 1942, after the United States entered WWII, he transferred to join the United States Army Air Forces. In the summer of 1943, Louis was assigned to the 68th Bombardment Squadron, 44th Bombardment Group, 8th Air Force. On August 1, 1943, the B-24 Liberator aircraft "Satan's Hell Cats" on which he was serving as a pilot, crashed as a result of enemy anti-aircraft during Operation TIDAL WAVE in Ploiesti, north of Bucharest, Romania. The mission was considered one of the most daring raids of WWII. The remains that could not be identified, including those of Lt Girard, were buried as Unknowns in the Hero Section of the Civilian and Military Cemetery of Bolovan, Ploiesti, Prahova, Romania. Louis served his country with honor and earned the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal, and Purple Heart awards. His remains were identified and accounted for on 28 Mar 22. His entire obituary may be found here: https://www.aderholdfuneralhome.com/obituaries/Louis-V-Girard?obId=24884557
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Date: Fri, 27 May 22
PART 1 - AIRPORT RECOVERY
Please refer to the North Texas PGR Website for staging times, locations, and specific instructions for the procession from Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport to Aderhold Funeral Home in West. https://northtxpgr.org/event
Flagline Establishment: 1805 +/- At the discretion of the Ride Captain, dependent on the punctuality of the airline and traffic conditions.
WX: Sunny, with a high near 88. East southeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming north in the afternoon.
Notes:
1. Stay alert to changing timelines. Everything is dependent on the flight's actual arrival time and how long it takes the procession to come in from Dallas.
2. Be at staging ON TIME.
3. Be prepared to volunteer as pallbearers, if asked by the Funeral Director.
4. Hydrate well prior, bring water for yourself and a buddy and dress with consideration of the weather conditions.
WX: Sunny, with a high near 90. West southwest wind around 5 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.
Notes:
1. Be at stagingS ON TIME.
2. Hydrate well prior, bring water for yourself and a buddy and dress with consideration of the weather conditions.
3. Take the left at the first entrance to the cemetery and follow it to the lone US flag, and take a right to PGR staging area. The other areas of the cemetery are reserved; do not park there. Be flexible for changes.
Please join us in honoring this US Active Duty Officer for his selfless service to our Great Nation.
I would suggest taking the 2114 Exit in West, TX, then take a right at 2114, then take a right on Main Street. You can take a right a Tokio road stop sign outside of town, but beware of the slope and holes on the other side of the railroad tracks next to Main Street.
Holly "Holler" Melendez
CenTex Deputy State Captain
Patriot Guard Rider
