** Dedication of the Donel C. Kinnard Memorial State Veteran’s Cemetery, Institute, WV, 28 May 2012 **

The presence of the Patriot Guard at the dedication ceremony of the Donel C. Kinnard Memorial State Veterans Cemetery, has been requested by the WV Governor’s Office, and Senator Jay Rockefeller’s office; we are honored to accept this invitation. The cemetery is located just off the Institute exit of I-64, and is adjacent to the WV State Police Academy. The dedication ceremony is scheduled to begin at 1500 hrs on Memorial Day, 28 May 2012, and we are hoping many of our members/guest riders will come join with us for this very special event.

On 21 January 1970, Chief Hospital Corpsman Donel Kinnard led an assault that saved his men from being overrun by the VC. He killed an enemy officer in hand-to-hand combat and was awarded the Navy Cross. The link below contains his citation.

https://militarytimes.com/citations-medals-awards/recipient.php?recipientid=4017

RCIC: Keith Mitchell, 304-541-6154

Staging location: The WV State Police Academy, 3, WV https://tinyurl.com/73uobl6 You can exit I-64 at either the Dunbar or Institute exits, follow the signs to Rt 25. Academy Drive is on the opposite side of the road from WV State University, and goes back under I-64; follow the signs to the WV State Police facility. As you come into the WVSP facility, look for the first parking lot on the right…this is where we will stage. The cemetery is located just past the WVSP facility, on the left.

Staging time: 1300-1330, with KSU at 1330. If you are late, you can come directly to the cemetery, but you will have to identify yourself as being with the PGR. Cages are welcome, but will have to park at the cemetery maintenance building. BIKES ONLY will be permitted at the flag line/dedication site, due to limited parking space. The general public will be parking off-site and riding shuttle buses to the event…PGR, dignitaries, and invited media are the only ones allowed to park at the cemetery.

Flag line: The line needs to be in place no-later-than 1345, and we will maintain the flag line as family, dignitaries, and public arrive. The dedication begins at 1500 hrs; we will likely break down the line 5 minutes before it starts, and we are invited to stay for the ceremony. Once the ceremony begins, NO BIKES WILL BE PERMITTED TO START UP AND LEAVE. We will not disturb any portion of the ceremony; the director anticipates it will last about one hour. Water and restrooms will be available at the dedication site.

This cemetery is a beautiful facility, and all who see it will be very impressed. I hope you will be able to join with us for this very special dedication. Please remember to bring your 3×5 flag, and bring extras if you have them. The ride from the WVSP to the event site is only about 1 mile, so if you are able to fly a flag from your bike at low speed, please come prepared to do so.

Buddy Palla

WVPG ASC-South

304-610-1324

3, WV 25064