PGRNY Completed Missions

Honor Mission

Dennis K. Austin

US Navy
Vietnam Veteran

Multi-City, NY - 12/20/2022

Mission applies to the following Region(s):

Region 4, Region 5

About the Mission:

The family of Dennis K. Austin has requested Patriot Guard Riders participation in his military honors funeral services. Dennis, 76, passed away peacefully at Saratoga Hospital with his wife and children at his side.

Prior to graduating from Scotia-Glenville High School in 1965, Dennis enlisted in the US Navy Reserve in 1963.  After high school graduation, on 15 August 1965, he entered into active duty. He was trained as a Radioman, received survival training and was transferred to the "White Elephant", US Naval Support Facility at Da Nang Airbase, South Vietnam where he completed a tour of duty. He was later assigned to the USS Barton (DD-722), an Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer. He was honorably discharged on 15 August 1965 with a rating of Radioman 3, and a rank of Petty Officer 3rd Class (E-4). For his service, he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal and the Vietnam Campaign Medal.

After his military service, Dennis worked as a machinist at General Electric for 38 years, retiring in 2004. He enjoyed fishing, hunting at his camp "Shanty Brook", camping in the Adirondacks and cooking. Dennis was a member of the National VFW, was a Paul Harris Fellow and major donor of The Rotary Foundation, and a social member of the Beukendaal Fire Department where he spent countless hours cooking meals for the firefighters.

Portions of the above narrative are contained in Dennis' obituary, available for viewing online by clicking here

Primary Staging Date and Staging Time:

12/20/2022 at 09:30am

Staging Location:

Bekkering-Ellis Funeral Home
1 Mohawk Ave
Scotia, NY 12302

Lead Ride Captain and Contact Info:

Shirley Gawlak - 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:

Staging at the funeral home with a flag line for the arrival of family and guests. Funeral service scheduled for 10:00 am, followed by escort to Saratoga National Cemetery for interment with military honors.

Note: All PGR vehicles are to assume tailgunner positions behind the procession only. The Funeral Director has stated that the route will not pass through towns or major traffic intersections to minimize the possibility of becoming separated.

Is there a Second Stage to this Mission?

yes

Second Staging Date and Staging Time:

12/20/2022 at 11:30am

Second Location:

Saratoga National Cemetery
200 Duell Road
Schuylerville, NY 12871

Second Lead Ride Captain and Contact Info:

Shirley Gawlak

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

Second Stage - Special Information:

Interment with military honors scheduled for 12:00 pm. Please stage quietly, following updated staging procedures.

Is there a Third Stage to this Mission?

no

Submitted by:

Ray Sestak

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