US Army Paratrooper Cpl Eric C. Palmer, 21, of Maize, Kansas was wounded in action 21 June 2007 in Bauji, Iraq.  Cpl Palmer died 24 June at Landstuhl Regional medical Center, Landstuhl, Germany of wounds suffered when his unit was conducting combat operations and was attacked by insurgents using small arms fire.  Eric was supporting Operation Iraq Freedom in the war on terrorism for United States of America.  Cpl Palmer was assigned to the famed and elite 1st Battalion Regiment, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, NC

Corporal Palmer's nickname is "Eeker", said his brother Travis, who served 8 1/2 years as a US Navy Corpsman (Medic) and a Iraq War Veteran.  Travis said "my brother never complained, did his duty, had pride serving in the Army for America.  Eric was a courageous Paratrooper, very good at his job and always there to help his fellow soldiers.  Eric fought and died to protect his fellow-soldiers in his unit, his family, friends of Maize, KS, our families and our freedom in America."   Eric will be truly missed but will be remembered as an “American Hero”.

Eric's parents have invited the Patriot Guard as guests at the airport,  funeral services in Andover, KS, and to the Full Military Graveside services in Maize, KS.   Mark "Ghostrider" and Kim Edminster, life-long friends of Eric and the Palmers, will be part of the lead escort.  They both have kept us updated.   God bless the Palmer family.   Keep them in your prayers.

If you can, please make this mission to show your respect, support Eric's family, and honor this Fallen Hero. 

"Kansas Patriot Guard Bagpiper Charles Liles will provide inspirational music"

This will be a 3 part mission

BRING YOUR MOTORCYCLE FLAG POLE AND FLAG IF YOU HAVE ONE

Bring water and snacks for yourself.

Visitation with family at Downing and Lahey Mortuary

1500 hrs (3PM)  to 1800 hrs Sunday 01 July 2007

Staging Area for Funeral Services in Andover, KS

0830 hrs (8:30AM)  Monday 02 July 2007  

            McDonalds on south side of W. Central Ave and West of N. Andover Rd.

            (turn north off hwy 54/400 on Andover Rd,

                go 2 miles to Central Ave, turn left)  

Riders with flag poles will be directed to line up in column of 2’s in one area and riders

without flag poles in column of 2’s in another area.  Watch for directions as you ride into

parking lot.

Cages will follow the bikes.

Military Flag order protocol will be observed.

FUEL next to McDonalds (eastside) and on Andover Rd Restrooms at fuel stops and McDonalds.

0900 hr  (9AM) Briefing and prayer

0930 hr  (9:30AM) Departure from McDonalds to St Vincent Depaul Church,

                123 N. Andover Rd. 

              Ride in & park, Line up big flags

1000 hr  After arrival at church. 

Stand ready & be prepared for arrival of Cpl Palmer and family, escorted by flag honor guard

from mortuary.

1100 hr (11 AM) Funeral Service starts

Following Service, escort Cpl Eric Palmer and his family to the Maize, KS, cemetery.

(west of N. Maize Rd on North 53rd Street)  Details of cemetery at briefing

Full military honors at the graveside service.

We will provide a perimeter circle at cemetery around the family & friends.

Very respectfully,

Ride Captains:

Terry "Darkhorse" Houck  dh43a@cox.net     316-619-3265(cell) or 316-788-4766(h)

Greg "Ebay" Hansen  hamchop@sbcglobal.net     316-461-8350 or 316-733-2775(h)