PGR_NTX Patriot Guard Final Itinerary - Louis Slovak - Saturday, April 4, 2009

Thu Apr 2 22:16:31 CDT 2009

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The final itinerary for Mr. Louis Slovak follows, but first please allow me
to share a part of a document given to me by his grandson.  It describes a
part of Mr. Slovak's experience in the War.and after.  -  Steve Lucas

"The American soldiers were ordered from the barn and lined up against the
outside wall.  The German soldiers took aim and shot every third American
without any thought or compassion.  Louis could only watch his buddies fall
to the ground and only wait for his turn. 

A German soldier approached and placed the rifle on Louis' forehead, and
said, "You Americans should be shot!" As he was about to pull the trigger,
he noticed a cross hanging out of Louis' army uniform pocket.  Curiously,
the German motioned to Louis' pocket and asked, "What is that?"  Slowly,
Louis pulled out his rosary and showed it to the German soldier. Louis told
him the rosary would keep him safe and Jesus was his Savior. Louis stood
motionless and waited for his death.  The German soldier must have been
moved by Louis' faith, or he may have been a Christian at one time, because
he put his rifle down and walked away, sparing Louis' life.

Louis and the surviving Americans were taken to a Prisoner of War (POW) camp
named Stalag 8. He was moved from camp to camp but detained until he was
liberated on April 17, 1945, when World War II was coming to an end.

Louis has kept this rosary and his military prayer book near him for over 65
years. They have special meaning to him and remind him of that day when the
Good Lord protected him and allowed him to return to his wife to build the
wonderful family that they have today.  Tears of thankfulness and gratitude
overwhelmed Louis when he spoke of that miraculous day."

FINAL ITINERARY

Louis Alois Slovak, Veteran

United States Army, WWII 

Mission Date: April 4, 2009

Ride Captain:  

Wendy "HotLips" Ingersoll

817-991-9021 cell

califbabe55 at yahoo.com

Louis Slovak served in the United State Army for 4 years.  He spent 5 months
as a POW during WWII at Stalag-8 in Germany after being captured by the
Germans.  He received the Purple Heart and many other medals for his heroism
and courage during the war, and received an Honorable Discharge as a
Corporal in August 1945.  His grandson, Josh Slovak, described him as a
father, grandfather, WWII POW and war hero, farmer and husband.   It is
believed that Mr. Slovak is the last known WWII POW in Ellis County.

Part 1 - Funeral:  Saturday, April 4, 2009 - 10:00 AM

Staging - 8:45 AM; Briefing - 9:10 AM; Flag line in place - 9:20 AM.

St. John Nepomucene Catholic Church

401 E. Lampasas

Ennis, TX  75119

972-875-2834

Map - Click
<http://maps.live.com/#JnE9eXAuNDAxK2UrbGFtcGFzYXMrc3QlMmMrZW5uaXMlMmMrdHglN
2Vzc3QuMCU3ZXBnLjEmYmI9NDguMDQ4NzA5OTQyODg2OSU3ZS01OC4zNTkzNzUlN2UxNC45NDQ3O
DQ4NzUwODgzJTdlLTEzNQ==>  here for map 

We will set up our flag line and stand tall and silent as the family and
guests arrive for the service.  We will utilize a few flag bikes to escort
the family and coach from the funeral home.  Once the service begins we will
break down the flag line and prepare to ride to the cemetery.

Part 2 - Procession:  Saturday, April 4, 2009 - Following Funeral Service

Funeral Home to Saint Joseph's Cemetery.

After the service begins the majority of the riders will proceed to the
cemetery (less than 2 miles) to establish the flag line prior to the arrival
of the family and coach.  A few Big Flag bikes will ride in the funeral
procession from the church to Saint Joseph's Cemetery for the interment
service.  It is anticipated that the Catholic Funeral Mass will be at least
an hour long.  Any changes will be briefed by the Ride Captain at the site.

Part 3 - Interment Service:  Saturday, April 4, 2009

Flags will be set up at the cemetery prior to the arrival of the coach and
family.

Saint Joseph's Cemetery                                 

Approx 1735 W. Ennis Ave. (Bus 287)

Ennis, TX  75119

(The cemetery entrance is set back from the road just south of the highway
and just east of Jeter Rd.)

The hero will receive full military honors at the gravesite.

Map - Click
<http://maps.live.com/#JnE9eXAuMTczNStXK2VubmlzK2F2ZSUyYytlbm5pcyUyYyt0eCU3Z
XNzdC4wJTdlcGcuMSZiYj00OC4wNDg3MDk5NDI4ODY5JTdlLTU4LjM1OTM3NSU3ZTE0Ljk0NDc4N
Dg3NTA4ODMlN2UtMTM1>  here for map

A luncheon will be held following the service.  The family has invited all
PGR participants to come to the luncheon at the VFW hall nearby and hopes
all will attend.

Weather:  Mostly sunny. Highs in the upper 70s. South winds around 10 mph
increasing to 15 to 20 mph.

The flag/water truck will be at both locations.

Iron horses if you can, cages are always welcome and appreciated.

Please remember that our mission is to stand tall and silent with honor and
respect for this veteran and his family. 

Respectfully submitted,

Wendy "HotLips" Ingersoll

North Texas Ride Captain

*********************************************

Louis Alois Slovak

(March 28, 1918 - March 31, 2009)

U.S. VeteranLouis died on Tuesday, March 31, 2009, at Baylor Hospital in
Dallas, Texas, at the age of 91.

The Holy Rosary will be recited at 7pm on Friday at J.E. Keever Mortuary and
the Mass of Christian Burial will be at St. John's Catholic Church at 10am
Saturday.

He was born on March 28, 1918, in the Creechville Community in Ennis, Texas,
to Joe R. and Annie Kriska Slovak. He attended Village Creek School.

He married Lillian Frances Vrana on January 3, 1944. Father Kowalski
performed the marriage ceremony at St. John's Catholic Church.

He was a farmer in the Creechville Community and worked at Leggett and Platt
for many years. He was also employed at Norris Lumber Co., and Pearl
Distributing Co.

Louis was drafted into the United States Army during World War II on March
3, 1941, and went to the Panama Canal Zone for three years. He returned on
furlough on December 10, 1943, and married Lillian. The day after they
married he was sent to Camp Maxey in Paris, Texas, for training.

Louis was called to active duty in the European Theater on August 14, 1944,
on the German - Luxembourg border and in Belgium. He fought with the 32nd
Mechanized Calvary at the Battle of the Bulge. He was missing in action
(MIA), then captured on December 17, 1944, and taken as a prisoner of war
(POW) to the Stalag-8 in Germany.

He was liberated when the war ended and returned to the States on May 13,
1945, and received his honorable discharge as a Corporal on August 8, 1945.
He received the Purple Heart and many other medals for his heroism and
courage during the war. By the time he returned to his wife Lillian she had
given birth to a set of twins, Danny and Dolores.

He was a member of St. John's Catholic Church, KJT, Disabled American
Veterans, American Prisoners of Wars, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7106 and
the Catholic Order of Foresters.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years, six children: Danny and wife Evelyn,
Dolores and the late Ernest Sykora, Ronnie and wife Susan, Michael and wife
Laura, Timothy, and Judy Venable, thirteen grandchildren, nine
great-grandchildren and one step great-grandchild. Another great-grandchild
is expected in September. Special friends of the family are James and
Deborah Allen.

He is also survived by his brother, Bill and wife Mary and his sister,
Lillie Honza.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers Joe and Bob.

Louis loved God, his country and his family.

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