Memorial Mission
David Evans, Jr.
U.S. Army, KIA, GWoT
Buffalo, NY - 05/29/2023
Mission applies to the following Region(s):
Region 1, Region 2
About the Mission:
Patriot Guard Riders has been requested to stand in honor on the 20th anniversary of the ultimate sacrifice of U.S. Army PFC David Evans, Jr. of Buffalo, NY who lost his life on 25 May 2003 while serving on active duty in Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
The PGR request was submitted by Robbin Hodges, Chief Operations Officer, African American Veterans Monument. PGR has previously stood on 2 occasions for her father, WW-II Navy Veteran Johnnie Hiawatha Hodges, Sr.
PFC Evans, Jr. attended Buffalo Public School #53 and #11. He was also part of Boy Scout Troop 237. He graduated from Kensington High School in June of 2002 with a regents diploma. He was a star athlete and a member of the Kensington High School track team.
Since childhood, David had a desire to become an FBI agent. So immediately after graduating from Kensington High School, he enlisted in the United States Army and successfully completed the requirements of the course of instruction for Military Police at Fort Leonard, Missouri. By all accounts, he was well on his way to making his dream a reality.
PFC David Evans, Jr. was a member of the 977th Military, Police Company in Fort Riley Kansas, and was tragically killed on May 25, 2003, in the line of duty in Diwaniyah, Iraq. According to military officials, PFC David Evans, Jr. was killed in an explosion at a facility that contained Iraqi ammunition. It was reported that Evans and another soldier were performing security duty at the site when their steel shelter collapsed during the initial explosion. The rest of the squad returned after the first explosion and extracted the other soldier but tragically PFC Evans’ remains could not be located until several hours later.
For his service and sacrifice to our nation, PFC David Evans, Jr. earned the following awards: Bronze Star Medal; Purple Heart Medal; Army Achievement Medal; Army Good Conduct Medal; Iraq Campaign Medal; and Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Military Times Article: https://thefallen.militarytimes.com/army-pvt-2-david-evans-jr/256662https://thefallen.militarytimes.com/army-pvt-2-david-evans-jr/256662
Primary Staging Date and Staging Time:
05/29/2023 at 1:00 pm
Staging Location:
African American Veterans Monument
Buffalo & Erie County Naval & Military Park
1 Naval Park Cove (Marine Drive)
Buffalo, NY, 14202
https://goo.gl/maps/
Lead Ride Captain and Contact Info:
Don Higgins -
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:
Please park in the lot on Marine Drive across from the Monument. Look for the Ride Captain's vehicle/bike.
(NOTE: This is the same location where we did the African American Veterans Monument dedication ceremony last year.)
The Memorial ceremony is scheduled to begin at 2:00 PM. We will present a PGRNY Plaque to the family of PFC Evans, Jr.
This will be a very appropriate Memorial Day opportunity for us to honor a US Army Veteran who lost his life on active duty in service to our Nation.
Please be prepared with a clean 3x5 American or US Army flag, and dress for the weather.
There is no escort involved in this Mission.
Thank you for taking the time to participate in this important Mission, and in support of the family of Army PFC David Evans, Jr.
Is there a Second Stage to this Mission?
no
Second Staging Date and Staging Time:
at
Submitted by:Don Higgins, SRC, Region-1
BM - 05/24; MER
