Bushnell, Fla. - The quietness of Veterans Memorial Park in Tampa is awakened to the sound of motorcycles and stories of a beloved friend Tuesday. 

“He loved life, he loved everybody, he never met a stranger," said Linda Peltier. 

Seaman 1st Class Alvin 'Al' Dircks not only served in the U.S. Navy in WWII, but then enlisted again for the Korean War in a different branch. 

“Al was in the Army," said Linda, going through pictures of his time in both branches. 

Dircks didn't stop there, he then worked as a contractor in the Vietnam War and after that worked on missiles with FMC. 

“Yeah, he loved the country, just loved his country. You don’t say anything against his country," Gary Peltier said with a laugh. 

But even more than service, Dircks was a friend. 

"Dear, dear friend — over 20 years," said Mike O’Dell, with Hillsborough County Veterans Helping Veterans. “Al always, always had a smile on his face. And Al, he always made sure that he sipped his beer all day everyday, and lived to be 93 years old. And God bless the man.”

He died in March from COVID-19. A virus that has taken so many lives across the world. 

“His health was 10 times better than mine. He was still driving, he was still sipping his beer everyday. Just a really cool guy," said O'Dell. 

When his remaining family couldn't come to his funeral, O'Dell and other friends put out the call to veterans in the area. 

"Today we just want to honor him by doing our last ride with him," said O'Dell. 

From Tampa to Florida's National Cemetery, Patriot Guard Riders, friends and other veterans escorted his remains. His service was short but heartfelt. When Taps played, tears streamed down the faces of many. 

His remains, along with his wifes', were then put into their final resting place and sealed. 

The day ending quiet for a man and hero who will be sorely missed. 

“Great guy, and he is our hero," said O'Dell with tears in his eyes. 

The day of his funeral would have been Dircks' 94th birthday.