On February 19th, 2021 we laid my father, Bernard “Benny” Mathis Alva to rest with the help of some very special people…It was truly an honorable display of respect for my Dad, a 22 year retired purple heart veteran who also served 3 tours in the Vietnam war.
I wanted to thank all of the special people from the American Legion Riders Chapter 20, American Legion Riders Chapter 26, American Legion Riders Chapter 221, American Legion Post 711, Bob Meyers and the Patriot Guard Riders and the American Legion Post 20, the honor guards and a special thank you to Mike Smith for his leadership and coordination of the event and his playing of Taps.
With Mike Smith’s leadership and coordination, The American Legion Riders took my Dad, Benny, on his last ride through the scenic towns of Strathmore, Lindsay and Rocky Hill Dr. in Exeter California and we ended the ride at the Lindsay-Strathmore Cemetery. This is where the Chaplin, Honor Guards and other American Legion members took over and conducted the service, the flag folding ceremony, the gun salute and the playing of Taps. It was truly a beautiful sight to see and would make anyone who saw the ceremony be proud to be an American, especially a veteran.
I know our Dad appreciated it. Thank you all so very much,
Frank