Attn Vets - WWII Airman Identified - Burial in Mannington WV 21 July

Calling all veterans - The following article tells about this WWII airman who is finally coming home after 70 years:

MANNINGTON, W.Va. -- The remains of a West Virginia airman killed in Germany during World War II are coming home for burial.
Jerome Kiger of Mannington was a tail gunner on a B-24 Liberator bomber that was shot down July 21, 1944. The remains of Kiger and another crewman were found in the plane's wreckage in Bavaria in 2008. Kiger's identity was confirmed by DNA testing.
The Dominion Post reports that Kiger will be buried with honors on July 21 at Mannington Memorial Park.
His family is inviting active-duty military personnel and veterans to attend the service.

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I called the City Office and got some preliminary details. The funeral procession will start at the Hutson Funeral Home, 500 East Main St, Mannington, WV (on Rt 250 next to the Exxon) at 1330 hrs (1:30pm) on 21 July 2013 and will proceed to the Mannington Memorial Park cemetery on Buffalo Brink Road (paved) for interment.

I would like to invite all veterans and anyone else who appreciates the sacrifice this young man paid for our freedoms. It would be a shame to have just a few people show up for this. Let's make it happen and show Sgt Kiger and his family how much we appreciate what he did.

I will try to post details as they are available. You can also Google or Bing the Mannington City Office as they will be posting info as it becomes available.

UPDATE: See Post #23 on Page 2

THANKS!

Mike, I read about this. Thank you for posting.

Might be a thought to alert the local Patriot Guard Riders - JIC.

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I am planning to attend and sent the Patriot Guard an email as well.

Thanks - I sent them an email too, but I'm sure they don't mind. They are already on track to provide escort. I'll be in my car, though, since I'll be coming from church in Morgantown. Hope to be in my USAF dress blues. Introduce yourself if you see me.

I also alerted the local Blue Knights Chapter (WV2) to attend.

Many thanks to the alerts to the Patriot Guard and Blue Knights
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This young man went down 7 mos. after I was born and I can't think of what the world would be like if it wasn't for his, and the ultimate sacrifice of others who gave their all during this terrible period in our history.

Long haul, but I am going to to do my best to be there; Just feel I need to so I can pay my respects.

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Guy, come up Saturday and stay at our house.

I received a confirmation email from the WV State Captain Joe Cumberlidge of the Patriot Guard that they will providing an escort from Pittburgh for SGT Kiger.

I should have an answer from the Blue Knights by Thursday night following the monthly chapter meeting.

Mike, appreciate your most generous offer - but - wouldn't you know that less than 3 hours after I said I was gonna do my best to attend, I get an Evite from my (older) daughter for our first grand-son's 3rd. birthday party that same w/e up in Sykesville, MD.

Altho' this kid is only turning three, he doesn't miss a trick and if Pop-Pop didn't show up at his party, well, I would be in deep doo-doo.



Please pass on a proud salute to this young man from this old vet for his service, and the ultimate sacrifice he gave for our country.

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Thanks to Mike's generous offer, we've worked a plan so I can attend.

Basically I will be attending the b'day party, staying the night at my daughter's (in Sykesville, MD), then head out Sunday a.m. for Mannington. After the internment, will head to Clarksburg and will be spending the night at Mike's Sunday night (thank you again!!).

I'll leave sometime Monday for home. Hopefully, the weather will cooperate since I'll be on the bike.

Ibiker and Mike, many thanks for making the necessary arrangements with the Patriot Guard and Blue Knights. We all need to show our gratitude to this young man, and his family, for the sacrifice he gave for the world and our country during this terrible time in our history.

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Guy, did I mention that I charge a bottle of Pierce's BBQ sauce for room & board?

Dammit Jim! You dun ruint my intentions for a nice surprise.

Seriously, was planning on running down there tomorrow to have a nice sandwich, but to also pick up appropriate compensation for your kind hospitality.

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bump!

Blue Knight WV II will be in attendance however I am not sure of the number of bikes. I volunteered to organize the ride for the chapter and my plans are as follows:

• Meet at 1100 hrs Eat N Park Bridgeport, WV Exit 119 of I-79 (Turn on US 50 EAST - Eat N Park is at the first light on the left).
• Depart 1130 hrs for Hutson Funeral Home, 500 East Main St, Mannington, WV via I-79 and US Route 250. arriving at approximately 1230 hrs which is 1 hour prior to the event.

Current weather forecast looks good. If it remains good, I will be on the Road King - If rain is imminent I will be on the DR.

Anyone who wishes to accompany me (Blue Knight membership is not a requirement) can meet me at Eat N Park.

Following the event, I am planning to try and attend a Benefit Dinner at Lincoln High School(Shinnston) for a Wallace Firefighter who recently lost everything in a house fire. They're' having a spaghetti dinner at the school to help the family with their cost to replace everything. Anyone who would like to ride there with me is also more than welcome.

If you have any questions, feel free to PM me directly or post here accordingly.

Gotcha covered:



:dg

Rode down there this morning before it got too hot (it's cookin' here!), arriving shortly after they opened at 10:00. Had an excellent BBQ sandwich and headed back up the road. Even at 70, and with all the vents open on the 'Stich, I was still bathed in sweat by the time I pulled into my carport.

I'm not going to apologize for the hijack. If it keeps this thread up near the top, I'll be happy.

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MMMmmmmmmmmmmmm.........

No apology needed for bump. I'm having a hard time comprehending how an event as significant as this one attracts replies from 3 members, but a thread about putting a car tire on the back of a bike gets hundreds of replies.

Thanks, iBiker. I think the Patriot Riders are meeting at Middletown Mall (Exit 132 off I-79) and arriving at the funeral home about the same time. I'll probably be showing up in my car from church in Morgantown about 1:00 or 1:15.

I agree.

I have been keeping up with the thread and would like to show my appreciation for what this gentleman did for our country, and be there. I even have the bike to make it but unfortunately I have to work and can't take the time off...

Thanks for the note. I'm sure many folks would like to be there and have to work, and that is understandable. I just got lucky and had a brief window of opportunity to participate in this one.

Here is the news report from a local tv station. Interesting.

http://www.wdtv.com/wdtv.cfm?func=v...-II-Vets-Family-on-his-Long-Journey-Home10814

Thank you!!

Would like to see the second part of that story if you could capture it.

Guy

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