Thursday, May 6, 2010

Miles long escort of honor?


One thousand veterans on motorcycles to honor one of their own from the Vietnam War?

That's what some are saying about the return of the remains of Sgt. James Harold Alley, who lost his life in Vietnam in 1972.

There has been a lot of interest in Sgt. Alley's story, from the average reader to veterans who remember or took part in the rescue effort that claimed his life.

Sgt. Alley was one of six who died when their Jolly Green Giant helicopter was shot down near Quang Tri during a search and rescue mission for two pilots.

The Patriot Guard Riders are planning to escort the remains of Sgt. Alley from Fort Myers International Airport to Arcadia on Friday.

The last schedule I saw has the Patriot Guard staging at Fort Myers at 10:30 a.m. Friday to escort the remains to Arcadia. The route goes north from Interstate 75 and takes Exit 164 to U.S. 17 North to Arcadia.

The Patriot Guard will stop at Ponger-Grady Kays Funeral Home, 50 N. Hillsborough Ave., Arcadia.

Services are set for 12:30-1:30p.m. Saturday at the funeral home, followed by interment with full military honors at 2 p.m. at Oakridge Cemetery.

The public is welcome to attend the farewell, according to Tim Alley, who is escorting his brother's remains to Arcadia for interment with other family members at Oakridge.


Jim

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