Honor Mission
|
Richard L. Butterfield |
US Army - Vietnam Veteran
|
Multi-City, NY - 06/08-09/2022 |
| ***UPDATED 03 June 2022 - 16:50 hrs*** Location and time for Second Staging has been changed. Members are to stage directly at Saratoga National Cemetery. Details below. |
| Mission applies to the following Region(s): | Region 4, Region 5 |
| About the Mission: | The Patriot Guard Riders have been requested to stand for and honor the life and service of Richard Larkin Butterfield. On May, 16, 2022, Richard peacefully in the comfort of his home in Palm Coast, FL after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Born in Mansfield, he graduated from Averill Park High School in Averill Park, NY and earned his bachelor’s degree from The University of the State of New York. Rick proudly served his country as a member of the United States Army from 1963 to 1970. He was commissioned a Second Lieutenant upon graduation from Officer Candidate School at Ft. Benning, GA in March 1965 and sent to Vietnam as a Pathfinder Team Leader, 11th Pathfinders 1st Cavalry Division. He saw combat in the battles at LZ X-Ray, LZ Columbus and LZ Albany - Ia Drang Valley, where he and his team directed helicopter resupply and medical evacuation and rescue missions. It was here that he was wounded and did not leave his team until all other wounded soldiers were removed from the battlefield. Rick served his second tour in Vietnam in 1968 as Captain and company commander of E Company, 2nd Battalion, 506th Infantry, 101st Airborne. His company conducted many combat operations. After recovering from injuries at Camp Zama Japan, he returned to Vietnam and served as Team Commander with the 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne) Green Berets assigned to MACV-SOG. Missions from this unit were classified. He earned 28 personal awards and decorations including the Purple Heart, and was inducted into the U.S. Army Officer Candidate School Hall of Fame in 1995. Honorably discharged from active duty, he then served with the New York Army National Guard from 1970-1995 as a Company Commander, Battalion Commander, 2nd of the 105th Infantry, and as the Commander of the 1st Brigade, 42nd Infantry Division. He was breveted to the rank of Brigadier General upon his retirement in 1995. As a civilian, Rick spent 35 years with the New York State Police serving from 1970 to 2006. During his time on the force, he received certification at the Canine Handlers Basic School with his K-9 partner Frey who was trained in explosives detection. Rick moved into undercover work as an investigator with CNET and the BCI. His undercover initiatives were essential to many investigations, arrests and convictions in many areas of criminal activity. He also spent time as a Firearms Instructor, Rifle Sharpshooter, member of the Underwater Recovery Team and was the Police Benevolent Association Delegate, Troop G. After retiring from the NYS Police Rick joined the Warren County Sheriff’s Office as Marine Patrol on Lake George and then was cross designated to go back undercover to work on a Task Force with NYS Police CNET where he again received commendation for his undercover work. Rick was the Commodore (1997) and lifetime member of the Castleton Boat Club, lifetime member of the Nassau Sportsmen’s Club and past board member of Lebanon Valley Speedway. He was a member of the Renegade Pigs Motorcycle Club and enjoyed their annual Christmas visit to St. Margaret’s Center wearing his Santa hat. Rick was truly happy riding his Harley cross country, boating, fishing, checking out new restaurants and spending time with his friends, family and his dog Harper who was by his side until the end. Portions of the above narrative are contained in Rick's obituary, available for viewing online by clicking here |
| Primary Staging Date: | 06/08/2022 |
| Primary Staging Time: | 02:30 |
| AM or PM: | pm |
| Staging Location: | Wm. J. Rockefeller Funeral Home Inc 165 Columbia Tpk. Rensselaer, NY 12144 |
| Lead Ride Captain: | Ray Sestak |
| Lead Ride Captain email: | |
| Lead Ride Captain Phone #: | 518-669-3358 |
| Special Covid-19 Mission Guidelines: |
Updated 8 March 2022Based on the most current COVID-19 Prevention Guidelines: NYS Guidelines of 2 March 2022, and CDC Guidelines of 3 March 2022, going forward, the Lead Ride Captain for any mission will be responsible for determining whether PGR members will have to mask up or not. Please ensure that you have a mask with you, should the need arise, and respect the LRC’s decision in these matters. |
| Special Information: | Staging at the funeral home with a flag line for the arrival of family and guests. Viewing hours are 3:00 - 7:00 pm. Please stand for whatever time you are able. Thunderstorms are forecast...cages recommended. |
| Is there a Second Stage to this Mission? | yes |
| Second Staging Date: | UPDATED 06/09/2022 |
| Second Staging Time: | 02:00 |
| Second Stage - AM or PM: | pm |
| Second Location: | Saratoga National Cemetery 200 Duell Road Schuylerville, NY 12871 |
| Second Lead Ride Captain: | Ray Sestak |
| Second LRC Email and Phone #: | 518-669-3358 |
| Second Stage - Special Information: | Interment with full military honors scheduled for 2:30 pm. Please stage quietly and be aware of any services already in progress. Note: It is anticipated that due to a very large military and law enforcement turnout and resulting volume of traffic, PGR members can park in Interment Shelter 1 parking lot to keep roadway clear. |
| Is there a Third Stage to this Mission? | no |
| Submitted by: | Ray Sestak |
| Email of Submitter: | |
| rs 05/31 |
