After meeting a local Patriot Guard member at an event for parents with deployed soldiers, my son is currently deployed in Afghanistan, I signed up to be a patriot guard rider on the 6R. Today we welcomed home an Army Sgt from his second deployment. It started out at a Harley dealer near Oakland airport. I pulled in and felt a little under powered as I parked next to a couple of really nice Harleys. I introduced myself and was welcomed with open arms. The parents of the returning soldier pulled in and in the back seat, the grandmother of the soldier broke down in tears as she saw all of the riders and US flags. After a briefing, 20 of us headed to Oakland airport. The ride captain had talked to the airport ahead of time and they allowed us to park for free in a secured area. We stood near baggage claim in the airport for about a half an hour, then an airport official announced that the soldier was on his way. to our surprise, two TSA officers had meet the soldier at his gate and had marched him to baggage claim. As they rounded the corner, the soldier looked like a dear in headlights as he entered baggage claim, packed with travelers, everyone broke into applause as they knew why we were there. We stood at attention with our 3X5 American flags proudly displayed in two rows. The soldier walked through the display and into his mothers arms. His father waited patiently for his turn to hold his son. And the grandmother was a basket case. It was very touching. Next, we headed back to the bikes and began our 50+ mile escort to Petaluma. US flags were proudly displayed on every bike. I attached two to the mirrors with zip ties. After we crossed a toll bridge, we rounded a corner and 30+ more bikers were waiting to join the escort. As we passed through a few small towns headed to Petaluma, goosebumps started creeping in as I saw up on the overpasses, local police, parked with full lights going in the background, standing at attention and giving a salute. on other overpasses, firetrucks and fire fighters standing in honor as well. Locals were waving flags at other overpasses. Then, we entered the soldiers neighborhood and the goosebumps started again as the street was lined with friends, family, neighbors, and even a horseback color guard, all welcoming home their soldier. The family had cooked enough pulled pork to feed a small crowd, what they did not expect was over 50 bikers and half the town showing up to support their son just two days before Christmas. The soldier spoke and said how touched he was to see all of the support at home. His parents thanked everyone for making the homecoming so special. I rode the 85 miles home thinking about my son.
:america::america::america:
:america::america::america:
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