PGRNY Completed Missions

Honor Mission

Terry J. Garigen

US Army - Vietnam Veteran

Firefighter
PGRNY Ride Captain

Attica, NY - 11/25-26 & 29/2022

Mission applies to the following Region(s):

Region 1, Region 2

About the Mission:

Patriot Guard Riders has been requested to be fully involved in honoring our beloved Hero. Terry Garigen passed away very unexpectedly at home in Darien Center, NY on Sunday 20 November 2022.

The sudden loss of Terry has created a huge hole in our hearts and lives for multiple reasons. A very proud but humble decorated US Army, 1stCav, Vietnam War Veteran; a highly-respected Patriot Guard Riders NY Region-1 Ride Captain; a 50-year employee of the Darien Highway Department; a longtime member of the Darien Fire Department; a big helper to many, and a beloved friend.

Terry served our nation for 2 years on active duty in the US Army from 1969-1971, including a 12-month tour of duty in South Vietnam. His initial MOS was 11B20-Infantry Rifleman, and progressed to the MOS of 11F40-Combat Intelligence. Arriving at Cam Rahn Bay, Vietnam in December 1970, he was assigned to the 1st Cavalry Division (Air Mobile), serving as a squad leader with D Company, 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment patrolling the jungles on foot in Central Vietnam for the next 8 months.

From January-March 1971 Terry also performed duty as a member of the 1st Cavalry Division (Air Mobile) Training Cadre for the territorial forces of the Republic of Vietnam. In July 1971, Terry was reassigned to the XXIV Corps in Da Nang, where he wrote intelligence summaries that were on the US President's desk every day. Terry was honorably discharged from active duty on 16 November 1971 at Fort Lewis, Washington with the rank of Sergeant (E-5), and he earned the following awards for his extraordinary service to our nation: Silver Star Medal; Bronze Star Medal; Combat Infantryman Badge; Army Commendation Medal w/1 Oak Leaf Cluster and "V" device (Valor); Army Good Conduct Medal; National Defense Service Medal; Vietnam Service Medal; Vietnam Armed Forces Honor Medal; Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Medal w/Bronze Star; Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal; Army M-16 Rifle Expert Qualification Badge; and the Cold War Service Medal.

Terry became a dedicated member of Patriot Guard Riders 10 years ago, and was appointed as a highly-respected Region-1 Ride Captain in 2015. Along with our beloved Ride Captain Joe Joyce, Terry and Joe were instrumental in fostering an excellent and respectful relationship between PGR and the new WNY National Cemetery leadership and staff.

Terry served as a distinguished employee of the Town of Darien Highway Department for a total of 50 years (38 years full time) and was a longtime member of the Darien Volunteer Fire Department. He was also a member of the Harder-O'Donnell American Legion Post 734 in Attica, NY.

A full obituary is available for viewing online by clicking here

Primary Staging Date and Staging Time:

11/25/2022 at 02:00pm

Staging Location:

Marley Funeral Home
135 Main Street (Rt. 238)
Attica, NY 14011
Click here for map

Lead Ride Captain and Contact Info:

Ken Lyons - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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:

Terry's longtime friend, fellow Vietnam Veteran and fellow Region 1 Ride Captain Ken Lyons will be honored to serve as the Lead Ride Captain, but he will rely on all R1 RCs to provide assistance as needed.

Please arrive with a clean 3x5 American or US Army flag, and dress for the weather.  PGR will provide a respectful flag line for arrival of the family, and during calling hours from 3:00 PM-7:00 PM. 

PLEASE NOTE: The Garigen family has requested that PGR members be staged indoors as much as possible, so please plan on rotating shifts indoors and out. This part of the Mission will end after calling hours.  Acknowledging that this is a long Mission, please consider devoting any amount of time that you're able to in honoring our extraordinary and beloved friend Terry Garigen, and to support his loving wife Nancy, his daughter Jamie, his son TJ and Terry's loving grandchildren.

Is there a Second Stage to this Mission?

yes

Second Staging Date and Staging Time:

11/26/2022 at 10:00am

Second Location:

Marley Funeral Home
135 Main Street (Rt. 238)
Attica, NY 14011
Click here for map

Second Lead Ride Captain and Contact Info:

Ken Lyons and Don Becker

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Second Stage - Special Information:

PGR will provide a respectful flag line for the arrival of the Garigen family and guests. The funeral service is scheduled to begin at 11:00 AM.  Following the service and dignified transfer, PGR will provide an escort of Terry to the Buffalo Cremation Company, 901 W Delavan Ave, Buffalo, NY 14209.  Map to crematory: Click here for map

IMPORTANT NOTE: Based on prior experience, it is important to limit the number of vehicles for the escort as much as possible, especially regarding limited parking at the crematory. Please consider ride-sharing as much as possible.

VERY IMPORTANT: The escort route includes the I-90 Thruway...your large flags MUST be secure for highway speeds.  RC Don Becker will stage at the crematory to organize parking when the contingent arrives, please follow his directions.  Any members who choose to skip the funeral service, please consider staging directly at Buffalo Cremation Company at 1:00 PM.

Is there a Third Stage to this Mission?

yes

Third Staging Date and Staging Time:

11/29/2022 at 09:45am

Third Location:

Town of Darien Highway Department
10569 Alleghany Road (Route 77)
Darien Center, NY 14040
Click here for map

Third Lead Ride Captain and Contact Info:

Bob "Trip" Marien

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Third Stage - Special Information:

PGR will stage at Terry's second "home" during his long career with the Darien Highway Department, and next door to the Darien Volunteer Fire Department for which Terry served.
NOTE: Ken Lyons and Bart Bartlett will provide a single-vehicle escort of Terry and the funeral director from the funeral home to the highway department.  Please plan to provide a respectful flag line for arrival of the family and and the contingent from Attica.  KSU at 10:25 for the escort to the WNY National Cemetery, 1254 Indian Falls Rd, Corfu, NY 14036 for the 11:00 AM interment 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 bring our Hero and friend Terry Garigen to his final resting place.

Is there a Fourth Stage to this Mission?

no

Don Higgins, SRC, Region-1

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