Ride Report posted for Spike
Sgt. Ryan Hopkins was assigned to the 3-29FA, 3BCT/4ID. While overseas, Ryan was injured severely on October 4, 2008. He suffered 2nd and 3rd degree burns on over 55 percent of his body. He spent 4 months in ICU at Brooks
Army Medical Center, Ft. Sam Houston. Prior to all of this, Ryan met and married Kathryn “Kitty” from his unit. Ryan had been going through several reconstructive surgeries and on January 8th, following surgery, he passed away from his injuries. Ryan’s awards included 2 Army Comendation Medals, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Overseas Service Medal, and a Purple Heart. We were to receive Ryan’s flight on January 14th at approximately 1000 hrs. We staged at a 7-11 just up the street from the local airport in Livermore. We had 27 bikes in attendance. Both the WWR and PGR had a great showing of support for Ryan and his family. I went down early to the airport to make sure of where the aircraft would stage and where Ryan’s coach would stage, as well as review the last details of where we would park our bikes. The
Fire Department contacted me and asked what I needed. They supplied two engines at the airport. I also sent 3 flag bikes to Callaghan Mortuary to go with the limo and pick-up the family for an escort to the airport. Texas Rick, Trevor and Craig completed that part of the mission. As we left staging and headed to the airport, we met the limo arriving at the same time at the airport. We all parked and waited for Ryan’s arrival.
The Army Honor Detail were on hand. Once the aircraft arrived, the airport plan captain parked the plane in the exact position we had talked about. Once the aircraft shut down its engines, all the riders and support groups formed a flag line around the aircraft from nose to tail. The family stood inside our flag line. The doors opened and Ryan was received by the Honor Detail & placed into his coach. We were to escort Ryan to the Mortuary. Once ready, we staged the Fire Engine up front, two CHP officers on motors behind the fire engine, Moose & Panak staged in front of the coach, two flag bikes were behind the coach, the family, two more flag bikes, then came the CAO, Honor Detail, the rest of the bikes with the POW/MIA Corvette pulling up the rear. The second fire engine was behind the Corvette with the rest of the cages. Myself, Fred and 6-Pack took care of most of the tail gunning and traffic control. We rolled slowly through town with sirens blaring and lights flashing in honor of Ryan. Once we made the turn onto Callaghan’s street, we saw a hook & ladder fire truck with his ladder extended high and displaying a huge American Flag. We parked at the Mortuary, stood a flag line as Ryan was carried in. End of Part One…
Part Two: Two days later, the burial took place. We staged at Callaghan’s with 27 bikes – WWR and PGR. At the cemetary were 13 bikes of the PGR and ALR. Five police cruisers were on hand, four fire engines, several cages and a couple of hundred people either met at Callaghan’s for the escort to the cemetary or were already staged at the cemetary. Once we were parked, the Army Honor Guard called attention. PGR, ALR and WWR formed a flag line around the burial site and family. At the conclusion of the services, the family invited friends & family to their home. Farewell little brother – you will NEVER be forgotten!
2 users commented in " N California: Fallen Soldier Sgt. Ryan Hopkins, US ARMY "
Follow-up comment rss or Leave a TrackbackThank you for honoring Ryan so magnificiently, so proudly, and so humbly. I am a therapist who treated Ryan in recovery; we honor his service, and him as a person. We give to the warrior – in gratitude, he stood between me, and the bad guy…so we can live, the way we do, and so did all of you; thank you. I could not be in Livermore, to hornor his passing, and so thank you for standing-in for me, for us. God bless. Jann
I’m a friend of Ryan’s and my husband was in the army with ryan i had told ryan that me and my husband had gotten married and he was happy for us i found out that he was burned badly overseas when my husband was still overseas with him we were online talking and he tolded me that ryan was hurt bad and i started to cry and i could not find the words to talk to my husband and then januray8,2010 of this year i was going into surgery and i looked up at my husband and told him that something was wrong with ryan but my husband didn’t want to tell anything and that monday i found that he was up in heaven i could not but i know that he is in a better place but ryan will be missed by everyone who knew him and how was close to him may he rest in piece we miss you ryan
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