Members of the Chester County sheriff’s department were escorts for the Return Home, funeral of MIA Major Louis Fulda Guillermin.

Warriors' Watch Riders were there to 'Welcome Home' our fallen hero.

The Ex-wife of MIA Major Louis Fulda Guillermin being interview upon the arrival of his DNA identified remains at Philadelphia International Airport on Friday, October 4, 2013.

A dignified transfer was held on the tarmac at Philadelphia International Airport for Major Louis Fulda Guillermin before his remains were taken to the Collins Funeral Home in Oxford, PA.

On April 28,1968, Major Louis Fulda Guillermin of West Chester, PA was Missing In Action on a mission over Savannakhet Province, Laos. His last known position was about 10 miles east of the city of Ban Muong Sen. This was his second tour in South East Asia. His remains were recovered, and Major Guillermin was accounted for on 28 May 2013. His A-26 aircraft was located years earlier and the crash site was quarantined while the required removal of weapons and armaments was accomplished. Louis' remains were flown in a full casket, from Honolulu to Philadelphia International Airport on Friday 4 October 2013. His burial with full military honors took place on Saturday, October 5, 2013.

Chester County Highway Patrol Sheriff Cpl. Glover leads the procession to Oxford, PA.

Warriors' Watch Riders founder Wayne Lutz and his WWR riders escorting the hearse, performing there mission, 'We have your backs here at Home'.

Major Guillermin was assigned to the 609th Air Commando Squadron in South East Asia during the Vietnam War. Louis joined the Air Force as an Aviation Cadet. He received his pilots training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. Louis received further training in radar and celestial navigation instruction at Connelly Air Force Base in Texas. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant and awarded his silver wings in April 1964.

Louis rose through the ranks to major while on MIA status. He was sent to Vietnam for a tour of duty. He flew counter insurgency missions as a navigator in an A-26A Invader aircraft, converted from a World War II B-26 – a fast twin-engine bomber. On April 28, 1968, Major Louis Fulda Guillermin was Missing In Action on a mission over Savannakhet Province, Laos. His last known position was about 10 miles east of the city of Ban Muong Sen. This was his second tour in South East Asia.

His remains were recovered, and Major Guillermin was accounted for on 28 May 2013. His A-26 aircraft was located years earlier and the crash site was quarantined while the required removal of weapons and armaments was accomplished.

Louis Fulda Guillermin was born on January 6, 1943 to Mr. and Mrs. Wister P. Guillermin who lived at 137 Howard Road in West Chester, PA. Louis attended the West Chester Joint Senior High School in West Chester, graduating in 1960. The high school was located at Lincoln and Montgomery Avenues, which opened in 1951 and later renamed Henderson High School in 1963. Louis was in the school’s marching band from 10th -12th grade and on the Golf team from 11th –12th grade.

The High School yearbook says of him: “Lou”…plays a terrific trumpet…drives a cool red ’49 Chevy…interested in electronics…enjoys hunting and fishing….”
After graduation from high school, Louis attended Penn State University, obtaining an associate degree in Engineering, and completed his undergrad studies at West Chester University, PA. Louis is survived only by a few first and second cousins.

“Duff” leads the Warriors' Watch Riders honor guard into the funeral home.

A brief meeting was held to go over plans for the next days funeral procession to Glenwood Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Broomall, PA.

Through (JPAC) DNA testing at the Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii POW/MIA Accounting Command’s mission is to conduct global search, recovery and laboratory operations to identify unaccounted-for Americans from past conflicts in order to support the Department of Defense’s personnel accounting efforts.

Major Louis Fulda Guillermin's identified remains were placed inside his uniform jacket.

Steve 'Red Man' Flegal, a Vietnam Vet signs the guest register book. He has been wearing Major Louis Fulda Guillermin's wrist band for too many years. He then placed it inside the Major's coffin.

In 1988, Vietnam Veterans of America, Louis F Guillermin Chapter 436 was chartered in Chester County, Pennsylvania. The chapter wanted a namesake of someone who was missing in action in the Vietnam War. To their knowledge, Major Louis Fulda Guillermin, USAF was the first MIA in our county.

On Saturday October 5, 2013, Major Louis Fulda Guillermin of West Chester, PA was buried with full military honors in Glenwood Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Broomall, PA.

Visitation started at 9:00 AM til 10:00 AM followed by a short ceremony.

Services were conducted by Reverend Thomas Stout.

Major Louis Fulda Guillermin's ex-wife speaks of the happy times they briefly had together and how much Louis loved to fly. After an R&R in Hawaii he volunteered for a special flight that would be his last along with his pilot Lt.Col. Robert Pietsch. They were both declared Missing in Action in 1973.

Air National Guard Brigadier General Anthony J. Carrelli speaks to those in attendance.

The funeral procession proceeded with hundreds of flags around the funeral home. Leading the procession was approximately 100 motorcycle units from the Warriors' Watch Riders.

As the funeral preceded through West Chester, his hometown, and past West Chester University, his alma mater, dozens of people lined the streets. The hearse proceeded down Route 1, flag-draped fire trucks, with lights flashing were on nearly every overpass. Citizens and veterans waived flags and saluted.

At the Glenwood Memorial Cemetery, members of the United States Air Force Dover Air Base Honor Guard provided full military honors. This included 21 gun salute, taps and presentation of the flag to the widow and family members by Air National Guard Brigadier General Tony Carrelli.

Participating in the procession and the burial services was Vietnam Veterans of America, Louis F. Guillermin Memorial Chapter 436, Chester County, PA, A Hero’s Welcome, Warriors' Watch Riders, Rolling Thunder® Inc. National, The American Legion, The Veterans of Foreign Wars, State and Federal Military officials, Chester County Sheriff, State Police, many other local police and fire units, and all Veterans and others interested in showing love for the supreme sacrifice of Louis while serving our country in South East Asia.

Have you ever wondered why the Flag of the United
States of America is folded 13 times when it is
lowered or when it is folded and handed to the
next of kin at the burial of a veteran?

The first fold of our Flag is a symbol of life.
The second fold is a symbol of our belief in eternal life.
The third fold is made in honor and remembrance of the
veterans departing our ranks who gave a portion of
their lives for the defense of our
country to attain peace throughout the world.
The fourth fold represents our weaker nature, for as
American citizens trusting, it is to Him we turn in
times of peace as well as in time of war for His
divine guidance.

A twenty one gun salute follow by the playing of Taps.

The fifth fold is a tribute to our country, for in the
words of Stephen Decatur, "Our Country, in dealing
with other countries may she always be right; but it
is still our country, right or wrong."
The sixth fold is for where our hearts lie. It is
with our heart that we pledge allegiance to the Flag
of the United States of America, and to the
Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God,
indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
The seventh fold is a tribute to our Armed Forces, for
it is through the Armed Forces that we protect our
country and our flag against all her enemies, whether
they be found within or without the boundaries of our
Republic.

The eighth fold is a tribute to the one who entered
into the valley of the shadow of death, that we might
see the light of day, and to honor mother, for whom it
flies on Mother's Day.
The ninth fold is a tribute to womanhood; for it has
been through their faith, their love, loyalty and
devotion that the character of the men and women who
have made this country great has been molded.
The tenth fold is a tribute to the father, for he,
too, has given his sons and daughters for the defense
of our country since they were first born.

The eleventh fold, in the eyes of a Hebrew citizen
represents the lower portion of the seal of King David
and King Solomon, and glorifies in their eyes, the God
of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
The twelfth fold, in the eyes of a Christian citizen,
represents an emblem of eternity and glorifies, in
their eyes, God the Father, the Son and Holy Spirit.

When the Flag is completely folded, the stars are
uppermost reminding us of our Nation's motto, "In God
We Trust." After the Flag is completely folded and
tucked in, it takes on the appearance of a cocked hat,
ever reminding us of the soldiers who served under
General George Washington, and the Sailors and Marines
who served under Captain John Paul Jones, who were
followed by their comrades and shipmates in the Armed
Forces of the United States, preserving for us the
rights, privileges, and freedoms we enjoy today.

Our American Flag is presented to the ex-wife.

A second folded Flag is presented to the surviving family members.

Some spent cartridges from the 21 gun salute are also presented to the ex-wife.

Spent cartridges from the 21 gun salute were also presented to the surviving family members.

Kenneth Schweitzer, President of VVA 436, presents the ex-wife of Major Louis Fulda Guillermin with one of their chapters “Honor Guard” patches.

Major Louis Fulda Guillermin was buried next to his parents.