I believe this is the kind of services that we were formed for. I
would consider it a honor if ya'll would join with me in honoring
these two Viet Nam veterans who paid the ultimate price for the
defense of our country.
Matt, please see if we can get the Riders for the surrounding
Districts in mass to join in this tribute. Bernard, what about a
reception at Duncanville or the Post off Kiest Blvd (Dallas, TX) after
the services.
Also, this is a great opportunity to partner with the Patriot Guard to
assist the families in laying these gentlemen to rest.
As quick as we can get a count, let me know so I can pass the
information to Mike.
Thanking you in advance.
Subject: Texas MIA/KIA's returning home after 41 years
The North Texas Patriot Guard Riders have been asked to assist in the
Funeral of two Air Force F-4 pilots whose remains are being returned
home to Texas from Vietnam. I am extending an invitation to the local
American Legion Posts and the VFW Posts for any members who would like
to stand honors for this full Military Honors Funeral Service at
Dallas Fort Worth National Cemetery. The service is scheduled for
January 14, 2011, to begin at 1100 hours in the Texas Star area
located in the center of the National Cemetery. The families agreed
that due to the fact these two friends have been buried together for
the past 41 years, that it only fitting they should be buried in the
same casket and a plot set aside beside the two for the surviving
spouse.
Below is more information concerning the aviators:
On the night of 12 November 1969, then Captain Robert L. Tucci, pilot
and then Major James E. Dennany, Weapons Systems Officer, launched
from Udorn Royal Thai AFB in their F-4D for a strike mission along the
Ho Chi Minh Trail. While attacking a truck convoy under the
observation of a Forward Air Controller, their F-4 was hit by
antiaircraft fire, crashed, and exploded.
There was no evidence that the crew escaped the aircraft before ground
impact and the crash itself was not survivable. In the absence of
proof of death both men were classed as "Missing in Action".
Both were promoted while in that status.
An annual Air Force review board concluded that all evidence indicated
the two had died in the crash, and the Secretary of the Air Force
accepted their conclusion with respect to Major Tucci; his status was
changed to "Killed in Action" 12 November 1969, Body not Recovered.
Colonel Dennany was continued in MIA status until 21 June 1978, when
the Secretary approved a Presumptive Finding of Death, changing
Colonel Dennany's status to "Died while Missing", Body not Recovered.
Major Tucci was on his second tour of duty in Southeast Asia; he had
flown 181 missions out of Da Nang Air Base on his first tour.
For the past 41 years, these two aviators from the Vietnam War had
failed to return home. They have now been found and are now being
returned home to Texas and their families. The Patriot Guard Riders
have been asked by the family members to contribute to the welcoming
home of these true American heroes.. We will assist in escorting
these two brave War heroes home to Mesquite and then to the
Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery. The PGR will assist in providing
full military honors by standing tall and silent in a flag line at the
National Cemetery before and during the final tribute to these brave
men. We will be working directly with the DFW National Cemetery Joint
Service Honor Guard.
January 13th : we will provide a small group of riders who can ride in
a tight formation, in the dark, in the Dallas morning traffic. All
escort riders will be required to attend a rider Safety brief prior to
the escort departing the Airport (reflective vest are highly
recommended). If you unable to ride in a tight formation or have never
ridden in formation for an extended period of time in traffic, this
would not be the time to learn.
We will need riders to assist in setting up and standing the arrival
flag line at the Funeral Home in Mesquite. We will stand honors as
these two men are taken from the coach to the Funeral Home.
January 14th: We will need riders who can ride in a tight formation to
be a part of the escort from the Funeral Home in Mesquite to DFW
National Cemetery. If you have never ridden in a tight formation, this
will not be the time to learn.
We will need riders to assist in setting up over 120 flags at the
National Cemetery prior to the arrival of the Funeral motorcade and to
stand silently in the Flag line during the Funeral.
This is a true privilege to have an opportunity to demonstrate the
respect we hold for these honored men, their families and their
community.
More information will be forthcoming and posted on the North Texas PGR
WEB site: http://www.txpgr.org/
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