Honor Mission
SPC Aaron Rathmann
US Army
Active Duty
Multi-City, NY - 08/13/2023
Mission applies to the following Region(s):
Region 1, Region 2
About the Mission:
The family and the US Army have requested Patriot Guard Riders participation in honoring the life and service of active duty Army Specialist Aaron Rathmann, who passed away as a result of an off-duty motorcycle crash in North Carolina on 27 July 2023.
SPC Rathmann was serving with the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Liberty (aka Fort Bragg), NC. SPC Rathmann served on active duty for 3-1/2 years from 2020-2023, and he was Airborne Qualified. His Army MOS was 11B-Infantryman and he also served as an Ammunition Handler. SPC Rathmann earned the National Defense Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon and Army Parachutist Badge.
Click here to view the ABC11 Report Regarding the Motorcycle Crash
The Buszka Funeral Home obituary has not been published as of this writing.
Primary Staging Date and Staging Time:
08/13/2023 at 01:00pm
Staging Location:
Buszka Funeral Home
2085 Union Road
West Seneca, NY 14224
Click here for map
Lead Ride Captain and Contact Info:
Richard "Dixie" Hancock
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 provide a respectful flag line for arrival of the family and friends, and during the calling hours from 2:00PM - 4:00 PM. Please be prepared with a clean 3x5 American or US Army flag, and dress for the weather.
Thank you for taking time to stand in honor of Army Specialist Aaron Rathmann, and in support of his loving and grieving family.
Is there a Second Stage to this Mission?
yes
Second Staging Date and Staging Time:
08/13/2023 at 05:00pm
Second Location:
Buszka Funeral Home
2085 Union Road
West Seneca, NY 14224
Click here for map
Second Lead Ride Captain and Contact Info:
Don Becker
Second Stage - Special Information:
PGR will provide a respectful flag line for the arrival of the family and friends, and during the calling hours from 6:00PM - 8:00 PM. Please be prepared with a clean 3x5 American or US Army flag, and dress for the weather.
Thank you for taking time to stand in honor of Army Specialist Aaron Rathmann, and in support of his loving and grieving family.
Is there a Third Stage to this Mission?
yes
Third Staging Date and Staging Time:
08/14/2023 at 07:45am
Third Location:
Buszka Funeral Home
2085 Union Road
West Seneca, NY 14224
Click here for map
Third Lead Ride Captain and Contact Info:
George Brown
Third Stage - Special Information:
PGR will stage in preparation for the dignified transfer and escort (KSU at 08:30 AM) to St. Gabriel's RC Church, 5271 Clinton Street, Elma, NY 14059 for the 9:00 AM funeral service. Click here for map to the church
(NOTE: If unable to participate in the escort, please stage directly at the church by 8:30 AM with a flag line for arrival of the cortege.)
Following the funeral service and dignified transfer, PGR will provide an escort to St. Matthews Cemetery, 180 French Road, West Seneca, NY 14224 for the burial with Military Honors.
Please be prepared with a clean 3x5 American or US Army flag, dress for the weather, and ensure your large flags are securely attached.
Thank you for devoting your time to help honor active-duty US Army Specialist Aaron Rathmann, and to support his loving and grieving family.
Is there a Fourth Stage to this Mission?
no
Submitted by:
Don Higgins, SRC, Region-1
rs 08/09; MER
