CLEARLAKE — The body of fallen Marine Pfc. Ivan Wilson will return home to Clearlake Thursday. His body will arrive in Sacramento from Dover, Delaware prior to being brought back to Lake County via motorcade.
Wilson was killed July 21 while supporting combat operations in the Helmand province, Afghanistan. The 22-year-old Marine was the first serviceman from Lake County to die in the current war in the Middle East.
The motorcade, which will be led by members of the California Highway Patrol, will bring Pfc. Wilson”s body home on Thursday afternoon. The procession will include members of Patriot Guard Riders, a group of veterans who assist families with funeral procedures for service members. Members of the of the United States Marine Corps will also accompany Pfc. Wilson”s body on the route from Sacramento to Lake County. “There”s a contingency of Marines that goes with the body everywhere it goes. They will be a part of the motorcade, watching over,” said Officer Mike Humble of the Clear Lake area California Highway Patrol who is coordinating the event on the local side.
The motorcade will enter the City of Clearlake via Olympic Drive. Clearlake Police Lt. Craig Clausen, who is in charge of coordination on the city”s side, said that Olympic Drive will be closed to traffic to at least Lakeshore Drive as the motorcade passes. Lt. Clausen said that depending on the availability of emergency vehicles, the road closure may extend to Division Avenue.
The motorcade is expected to arrive at Austin Park at 3 p.m. on Thursday. The city is requesting that those wishing to pay their respects, gather at Austin Park. Parking attendants will present to assist with parking at Haverty Field. People may park along the parameter of the park as well.
“What we”re really wanting is for everybody to park at Haverty so we can get everybody in that wants to attend and avoid traffic issues in the area,” Lt. Clausen said. “We want to keep traffic open as much as we can, but still have the tribute come through.”
Organizers are concerned about possible safety issues associated with roadside gatherings. “One of the things we are concerned about is having people lined up on the side of the road,” said Officer Humble. “We are requesting that people gather at Austin Park to avoid danger on the highways.”
In addition to the motorcade, a closed-casket memorial will be available for public view on Friday, Aug. 15 at Jones & Lewis Memorial Chapel in Lower Lake, which is where the motorcade will continue on to after making its pass at Austin Park.
Funeral services with full military honors will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 16 at Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Clearlake.
Pfc. Wilson was on his second tour of duty serving his country in the United States Marine Corps. He had joined the Marines in Sept. 2005. Pfc. Wilson was born in Sonora California and was raised in Lake County. He attended Konocti Unified schools and graduated from Clearlake Community School with the Class of 2004.
He leaves behind his loving mother Denise Wilson, father Christopher Wilson, his sister Jackie, 19, 3-year-old brother Nathaniel along with many family members and friends who loved him dearly.
According to correspondence Denise Wilson has received from her son”s fellow Marines, Pfc. Wilson was a strong, courageous, brave and selfless warrior who was not afraid to put himself in harms way in order to protect his fellow Marines. He had also been cherished for his wonderful sense of humor.
According to Lt.Col. Richard D. Hall, Pfc. Ivan Wilson has been promoted to Lance Corporal posthumously.
Contact Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com.
