The escort from front to back consisted of a California Highway Patrol cruiser, Motorcycles flying flags, Motorcycles not flying flags, Cars participating in the escort, the coach with Cpl Geiger and a final CHP Cruiser. The CHP escorted the procession all the way from Bishop to the Lone Pine High School. As we passed through Bishop many of the town’s residents lined the way honoring the sacrifice that Cpl Geiger made for all of us. The residents of Big Pine, Independence, and many others along the way also lined our route to pay their respects as well. Many times oncoming cars along 395 would stop and the occupants would get out and pay their respects to Cpl Geiger.

Once at the High School a flag line was formed and Cpl Geiger was carried into the High School where the service was held. We were invited in but it was standing room only so I never made it inside to actually see the ceremony.

After about 2 hours another flag line was formed and CPL Geiger was carried to the coach. We then proceeded as before to the Cemetery.

At the cemetery there looked to be over 100 people in attendance. I think all the Inyo County Lone Pine Sheriffs department was in attendance. After the graveside service Cpl Geiger was laid to rest with a 21 gun salute followed by Taps.

I did not get to attend Friday’s mission to escort Cpl Geiger from the Bishop Airport to the mortuary.

The participants for PGR mission came from a far away as Las Vegas, and San Diego.

Friday’s mission consisted of 26 motorcycles, While Saturday’s mission was in excess of 60 motorcycles.

The welcome and kindness of the residents of Inyo County was truly outstanding. Susan Cash (A member of the local government) coordinated Complementary rooms and meals for all the PGR that stayed overnight.

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Here is the official PGR post mission report:

Ride report.
Cpl. Wayne M. Geiger, 23, Lone Pine, CA
Fri 26 Oct.
The PGR consisted of riders from California and Nevada. Most traveling at least 300 miles round trip.
26 Motorcycles
9 new participants
29 total personnel

The PGR gathered at Bishop to welcome Cpl Geiger home. There were 200 local citizens in attendance as well.
The PGR escorted Wayne to the Brune Mortuary. At every intersection, many houses, and most commercial establishments people were seen standing in respect, hands over their hearts, American Flags waving. The ride got very bleary for many of the riders as we saw how Middle America welcomes home a True Hero.

At the Mortuary the PGR was dismissed. Some went home many stayed for the Escort to Lone Pine on the 27th.

Sat 27 Oct 2007.
60 Motorcycles
3 cages
70 total personnel

The PGR gathered at the Brune Mortuary to prepare for the nearly 60-mile escort to Lone Pine and CPL Geiger’s final resting place.
After coordination with The California Highway Patrol and all local police departments, the PGR meet and formed for the escort that was to begin at 0950 sharp. The escort started on time and proceeded from Bishop through to communities of Big Pine, Independence, Lone Pine and culminated at Lone Pine High School.
As on the 26th at every intersection, in front of each commercial establishment and just randomly along the rout there were people lining the road. Hands over their hearts and Flags waving in respect.
After the services The PGR escorted Wayne to his near by house were 50 neighbors waited to say good by. Then on to the Mt Whitney Cemetery for Military honors. The rout was lined with people as before. After military honors the PGR was dismissed.

In total for the two days closer to 75 PGR members attended ether attending on one or both days.
The welcome by Bishop, Lone Pine, and all local communities the PGR received is unprecedented. Motel Rooms were donated or paid for by Local citizens. $300.00 cash was collected and given to offset our traveling expenses. Susan Cash a member of the local Government spearheaded these efforts. The following donated goods and services to the PGR:
Creek Side Inn (rooms)
Whiskey Creek (dinner)

Additional Rooms at the Ramada were provided by:
Linda & Howard Arcularius, Bishop
Jeff & Tawny Thompson, Bishop
Cheryl Ramirez, Bishop
Richard & Lisa Reel, Big Pine/Dan & Candy Stone, Bishop
Chris & Susan Cash, Bishop

Donating money were:
Howard & Linda Arcularius
Sharon Brewer
Chris & Susan Cash
Cheryl & Thomas Knight
Richard & Lisa Reel
Jeff & Tawani Thompson
Cheryl Ramirez
Karen Whinnery

Except for the Rooms and Dinner each time offered the PGR members choose to pay for there own expenses and asked that the money ($300.00) be given to charity. It will be given to Gold Star Dads. The money will be used to maintain a website with the same name established by Michael Klasnos a Gold Star Dad from Riverside Ca.
If any members would like to thank the contributors please email me at FLBATFISH1@sbcglobal.net. You can also post your thanks on this string.
Personally I was overwhelmed by the welcome the PGR received and want to thank everyone that made this a most memorable Mission. Thanks too to Patty for lunch:-})

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Here is what was printed in the Inyo County Register:

Register Staff

10-25-2007

Inyo County will welcome one of its heroes home Friday, and say goodbye Saturday.

The community will salute and remember Army Corporal Wayne M. Geiger, 23, of Lone Pine, during funeral services Saturday in Lone Pine.
On Oct. 18, Geiger became the first Inyo County service member to be killed in combat in Iraq when an improvised explosive device struck his vehicle while on patrol in Baghdad.
To honor Geiger’s sacrifice, the Inyo County Board of Supervisors ordered all U.S. flags at Inyo County buildings and facilities to fly at half staff, because “it is fitting and appropriate to honor this local hero who died in the line of duty, defending his country.”?
Specialist Geiger was a member of the 2nd Platoon, H Company, 3rd Squad, 2nd Stryker Calvary Regiment, at Camp Stryker, Baghdad.
Geiger is a 2003 graduate of Lone Pine High School. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in October, 2005, and was deployed to Iraq on Sept. 1, 2006.
Wayne is the son of Lt. Randy Geiger and Civil Officer Kim Geiger of the Inyo County Sheriff’s Department, and the brother of Jessica Geiger.
Cpl. Wayne Geiger’s body will arrive at the Bishop airport on Friday, about 11:15 a.m., and be greeted by an honor guard. Anyone wishing to honor Cpl. Geiger by greeting him at the airport is welcome to do so.
On Saturday, residents will be able to pay their respects to the young soldier by pausing to observe the motorcade carrying Geiger home to Lone Pine as it passes through their community. The motorcade will leave Bishop at 9:50 a.m., arrive in Big Pine at approximately 10:15 a.m., pass through Independence at about 10:45 a.m. and arrive in Lone Pine at 11 a.m.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, Oct. 27, at 11 a.m. in the Lone Pine High School Gym. Those attending are asked to arrive by 10 a.m. so everyone can be seated when the ceremony starts. A graveside service will follow at the Mt. Whitney Cemetery in Lone Pine.
Afterward, a reception will be held at Statham Hall in Lone Pine.