PGRNY Completed Missions

Honor Mission

Thomas L. Dudziak

US Army
Korean War Veteran

Multi-City, NY - 09/28/2022

Update 09/26:  The arrival time at the Clarence Fillmore Cemetery changed to 10:30 am.                                                                                                                         rb 09/26

Mission applies to the following Region(s):

Region 1

About the Mission:

PGRNY has been requested to assist in the disinterment and reinterment process for a Korean War Veteran who was unfortunately buried in the wrong cemetery.

Thomas Leonard Dudziak passed away on 19 August 2022. He served our nation for over 4 years in the US Army, including 2 years on active duty in the US Army Artillery Branch from 1953-1955. Mr. Dudziak had 18 months of foreign service, assigned to the Service Battery, 424th Field Artillery Battalion, 8th Army Artillery, 9th Corps.

Honorably discharged from active duty on 12 June 1955 with the rank of Sergeant (E-5), Mr. Dudziak earned the Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal (Korea), Korean War Service Medal, and Cold War Service Medal.

A full obituary is not available.

Primary Staging Date and Staging Time:

09/28/2022 at 09:00am

Staging Location:

Lakeside Cemetery (Potter's Field)
4810 Camp Road
Hamburg, NY 14075
Click here for map

Lead Ride Captain and Contact Info:

George Brown - 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: 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:

The disinterment process is expected to take place between 8:00 AM and 10:00 AM.  PGR will stand by with a respectful flag line during the end of the process. Following the dignified transfer, PGR will provide an escort (approx. 30 miles) to Clarence Fillmore Cemetery, Ransom Road at Stage Road, Clarence, NY 14031.  Click here for map

A short prayer service and military honors are scheduled to take place at 1:00 PM. PGR will receive the flag when presented by the US Army, and the flag will then be donated to the WNY National Cemetery to fly on the Avenue of Flags.

IMPORTANT NOTE: If you are unable to participate in the escort from Lakeside Cemetery, please consider staging directly at the cemetery at 10:30 AM for arrival of the cortege and for the interment ceremony.

Update: Also, be advised there could be up to a 2-hour gap between arrival of the cortege, and the 1:00 PM prayer service and 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 for the 30-mile escort.
Thank you for taking time to participate in this special Honor Mission as PGR stands in as the family of Korean War Veteran Thomas Leonard Dudziak, as he is brought to his proper final resting place in the family plot next to his wife and son.

Is there a Second Stage to this Mission?

no

Submitted by:

Don Higgins, SRC, Region-1

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