Attn. Mississippi riders.
CONFIRMED HOTH MISSION: 2 PART MISSION, ESCORT A WWII VETERAN, JACKSON TO CAMP SHELBY MUSEUM
The PGR has been ask to escort a World War II veteran on a last mission. Please read the letter below.
This will be a two part mission. On Thursday we will escort Mr. Barnes from Jackson to the Hampton Inn in Hattiesburg. Then on Friday morning we will escort Mr. Barnes from the hotel to the Mississippi Armed Forces Museum at Camp Shelby.
We are expecting Police escorts to assist both escorts.
Part 1 Staging:
Thursday, Nov 15 at Flying J Truck Stop Flowood MS 12:00 noon, KSU 12:30, Roger Barett will RC, 601-826-5205
Part 2 Staging:
Friday, Nov 16 at the Hampton Inn, located at the intersection of Interstate 59 and Hardy St. Stage at 9:15 am, KSU at 9:30 am. Mark Alexander, PRC will RC, 601-408-3250
Please try to make whichever of these mission that you can, these are the happy missions that we really need every now and then.
Let’s Ride,
J. Paul Dunbar, ASC South
Dear Mr. McKibben, November 01, 2012
When someone has been admitted to hospice care, every patient is asked of any last wishes he or she would like our team to assist them with. That is why I am contacting you, we have a World War II Veteran that has requested to have his U.S. Coast Guard Uniform displayed in the Mississippi Armed Forces Museum at Camp Shelby. Larry Wert, Special Assistant for Veterans & Military Affairs (Congressman Greg Harper’s office)assisted us with this hero’s request. It is with gratitude to Mr. Wert for his assistance.
Mr. William Barnes, age 92. He was born and raised in Clarksdale, MS. He served during WWII as a deck gunner aboard a U.S. Coast Guard cutter and was credited with shooting down 3 enemy aircraft and assisting in the downing of 2 others. At one time during his wartime service his vessel was adrift in the Sea of Japan for over 60 days. Following the war, Mr. Barnes moved to Jackson, MS, and enjoyed a long and distinguished career with the Mississippi State Tax Commission and retired there as the Director of Revenue. He is widowed and has a son and daughter.
Chad Daniels, Director with the Mississippi Armed Forces Museum and the museums, Arms Conservator, Glenn Husted met with me last Friday to discuss and review Mr. Barnes last request. Mr. Daniels has confirmed November 16, 2012 at 10:00 A.M. for a presentation to honor our military hero! The Mississippi Armed Forces Museum will have a section with Mr. Barnes’ uniform, selected pictures and mementos he has cherished over the years. I can’t say enough kind words about Mr. Daniels and his staff at the Mississippi Armed Forces Museum. All Mississippians should be proud of their accomplishments in preserving the history of our military hero’s!
Mr. McKibben it would mean so much to Mr. Barnes, his family, friends, Gentiva Home Health & Hospice staff and volunteers if you and the Mississippi Patriot Guard could escort Mr. Barnes and his family from to Jackson to Camp Shelby to attend the presentation to honor one of Mississippi’s sons. I look forward to hearing from you and the Patriot Guard and appreciate all you do to for our Veterans!
On behalf of Mr. Barnes, a heartfelt thanks.
Jeffery Myers
Jeffery Myers
Manager of Volunteer Services
Gentiva® Hospice 106 Riverview Drive Flowood, MS 39232