Honor Mission
John Joel Skyler
US Marine Corps - Vietnam Veteran
Corfu, NY - 10/06/2023
Mission applies to the following Region(s):
Region 1, Region 2
About the Mission:
The family of Vietnam War Veteran John Joel Skyler has requested Patriot Guard Riders participation in honoring his life and service. Mr. Skyler of Alden, NY passed away on 28 July 2023.
Mr. Skyler served our nation for 4 years on active duty in the US Marine Corps from 1964-1968, with a Marine Corps MOS of 0311-Rifleman. He had 23 months of service in South Vietnam, and his final duty assignment was with Echo Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, Fleet Marine Force, Camp Lejeune, NC. honorably discharged from active duty on 16 September 1968 with the rank of Corporal (E-4), and Mr. Skyler earned the following awards: Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal; National Defense Service Medal; Vietnam Service Medal w/1 Bronze Service Star (2 awards); and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.
Per the Cichon-Borgosz Funeral Home obituary: "John was a Past Department Commander of the Disabled American Veterans of NY, a member of DAV Greater Buffalo #1, and AMVETS, Hank Nowak Post #45...."
Of Note: On 17 August 2001, Mr. Skyler was working as a file clerk at the Buffalo VA Medical Center and was injured when an individual committed a shooting and stabbing assault outside and inside the Medical Center. Mr. Skyler was subsequently cited for Valor.
Click here to view link to "News on 6" article
A full obituary is available for viewing online by clicking here
Primary Staging Date and Staging Time:
10/06/2023 at 11:45 am
Staging Location:
Town of Pembroke Highway Department
1145 Main Street
(Intersection of Routes 5 & 77)
Corfu, NY 14036
Click here for map
Lead Ride Captain and Contact Info:
Don Becker
Special Covid-19 Mission Guidelines:
Updated 8 March 2022
Based on the most current COVID-19 Prevention Guidelines: Protect Yourself and Your Family from COVID-19, 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:
PGR will stand by with a respectful flag line for the arrival of the cremains of Mr. Skyler and the funeral director. KSU at 12:30 PM for the escort to WNY National Cemetery,
1254 Indian Falls Road, Corfu, NY 14036 for the 1:00 Committal Service and Military Honors.
Please be prepared with a clean 3x5 American or USMC flag, dress for the weather, and ensure your large flags are securely attached. Thank you for taking time to help honor the US Marine Corps Vietnam War service of John Joel Skyler, and to support his loving family.
Is there a Second Stage to this Mission?
no
Submitted by:
Don Higgins, SRC, Region-1
BM / 09/30; MER
