SPC MARCUS LAND HOMECOMING

I did not attend this Homecoming because of the time of day it was we could not get there but I wanted to share it anyway. Please note that the riders drove 35 miles + to get to the airport & then it was 29 for escort to take this young Soldier home...in the rain. The Patriot Guard Riders are an awesome group & I fell very blessed to have them in my life....they truly support our troops. Check out their site & maybe you might be interested in joining.

Photo's from Cory's Homecoming

Here are some photo's...hope you enjoy

WELCOME HOME SPC CORY LOOB!

Saturday nite the son of one of my BFF's returned after serving 10 months in Afghanistan. He is an MP in the US Army Reserve. It was very short notice but the Patriot Guard Riders came thru once again...some came directly from another homecoming in Pleasanton to San Jose Airport which is where Cory came in. We then did an escort down the freeway 18 miles to the family home. Absolutely awesome...here is video from the airport.....I will do a slideshow of photo's later. Hope you enjoy. Leave him a thanks & welcome home in my comments & I will print out for his scrapbook!

PICTURES FROM 4TH FORCE RECON CO HOMECOMING

I've collected photo's from a few of my friends & put together a slideshow of this escort from Camp Pendleton to Alameda. Hope you all enjoy it & if you ever get a chance to be a part of a Welcome Home no matter how many of our Hero's are coming home you must participate...you will never forget it. If you have a loved one coming home no matter if it is from Basic Training, Training, Christmas, R&R, Deployment, etc get ahold of the Patriot Guard Riders to be a part of it. They also do escorts when they leave. It will be something you & your Hero will never forget.



Pictures taken by Barbara, Don, Spike, Rich, Tess, Mark, Sherry, Diane & I.

4th Force Recon CO Homecoming

I'm still working on photo's I took last nite but I thought I would share some of the excitement! Here is a clip from one of the news stations report & below is newpaper coverage. IT WAS ABSOLUTELY THE BEST!!

Marines return to Alameda safe, sound, welcomed

Welcome Home 4th Force Recon Co.

Getting ready to head out to to a big homecoming for 110 Marines returning home from Iraq. Some members of the Patriot Guard Riders headed down to Camp Pendleton yesterday morning & will be escorting the buses all the way back to the Bay Area with bikers & other vehicles joining along the way. They are estimating that about 500 bikes will be involved in this escort tho maybe not all at the same time. We have been trying to get people on overpasses along the route with signs & flags too. I am so excited to be a part of this. We welcomed the advance group 2 weeks ago when they go in at 3:00 am. Will let you know all about it when we get home!

Welcome Home Abraham!

Today we had the honor of welcoming home a young Soldier after his graduation from Basic Training. He joined the Army under the Split-Training Option so he will either finish his Senior Year of High School or pass the GED soon. After Graduation or getting his GED he will go on to AIT for his training. His MOS is Infantry. He was very happy to see the flag line when he came off the plane. Lots of hugs & handshakes after he was saluted by the Vets among us. There were 15 bikes & our pickup truck to escort his family to their home about 20 min away....we look pretty impressive going down the freeway with flags waving! The neighbors can hear the rumble of the pipes while we are still out a bit. We were all very impressed with this young man...please keep him in your prayers.

WELCOME HOME MATTHEW!!

We participated in the Welcome Home for a Marine who had served 7 months in Iraq. We staged at local Harley Dealership & headed to the airport to wait for his flight along with his parents. He was very surprised to see us all but it wasn't over yet. We then did an escort (28 bikes & 2 vehicles) to his home about a half hour away where neighbors, friends, family, local Veterans Groups, Military Family Support Groups & local dignitaries all were waiting. It was awesome! If you know any service men or women who are coming home this is a great way to honor then for all they have done for us.

Good Morning Sailor...Welcome Home!

This was definitely one the more interesting Missions for me since being with the Patriot Guard Riders. There have been alot of delays with the airlines of late and shortly before we were to head out to this one we were notified that the 9:00 pm time was changed to 1:30 am (O Dark 30). Well we both decided to take a bit of a nap as this is just a tad past our bedtime. We got up, put on warmer clothes as it was a bit chilly out & headed to our staging area. The night crew was there...Spike even brought coffee to warm folks up (and keep em awake). 6 bikes & our pickup is pretty impressive for that hour. We headed to the airport to wait for his arrival. The airport was empty except for people who work there. He had no family waiting as his wife is out of country...he will be meeting up with her at a later date.

He came thru the gate to meet with us....very surprised. We were supposed to escort him to Naval Center so that he could pick up his car but he was just too tired. He requested to just go to his motel so that he could get some well needed sleep....not sure how long this guy had been traveling but I know he had put in many hours in the air. After getting some photo's we headed out. Spike had called ahead to Alameda PD to let them know we were coming thru because of the hour & as we were riding thru there was a police car on a side street. As we drove by lights started flashing....an honor for the IC1 (INTERIOR COMMUNICATIONS ELECTRICIAN). It was very kewl for sure. As we pulled in front of the motel a woman was at the drivers door of the pickup. She yelled "YOU GUYS ROCK!" She asked what was up & we told her. It turns out she was retired Navy. She went up to Mario & invited him to stay out her place...she had food, pool table & beer. We all could come too. Maybe back in the day but we were all too tired for such an invite. We thanked her & she gave Mario her number in case he changed his mind. I can't wait to do this again.

Welcome Home Robert!

It was a long trip for this Spc & his family. After 15 months in Iraq he returned home to his wife & son in Italy which is where he is stationed. For his leave they were to fly back to the USA to spend time with family & friends whom they hadn't seen in over two years. A normally long flight was made longer by delays so he arrived a day later than expected. So the planned Homecoming Celebration had to be split up during the day & evening. His flight arrived early afternoon & a few of the Patriot Guard Riders (PGR) were there to meet him along with many members of his family. The PGR escorted Soldier & family to parents home about 50 min away without traffic. There was a large crowd waiting for him when he arrived. Did I mention this was a surprise? I was unable to be at the airport or do the escort but we picked up the party later in the evening.

We left the house right after Steve got home & headed to the address we were given which was the sister of the Soldier. A large crowd was already there....friends, neighbors, family, Blue Star Moms, Operation SAM, VFW, American Legion plus the Lafayette Flag Brigade had the giant flag up. And the Vice Mayor from the city too as well as TV reporter. It was absolutely awesome to see the fire truck pull up. Then we heard the bikes....here comes our Hero! He was totally shocked when he got out of the SUV to see that more people were there to honor him. He either hugged or shook the hang of everyone there. Another great Mission! You really should do one of these...you'll be hooked too.

This weekend brought 3 of our Heroes home but I was unable to attend this third one...I still felt it an important one to share. She is a chief warrant officer with the Army Reserves who shipped out with a unit from Southern California & just returned home after a 15-month Army tour in Iraq AND Afghanistan. During her deployment she missed her oldest son's high school graduation. The Patriot Guard Riders (approx. 40 bikes with 50+ riders) arrived in Santa Rosa to escort her to a surprise welcome home party at the Veteran’s Memorial Building she was greeted by a smiling, flag-waving crowd of nearly 100 friends, family and supporters. On display there were many tables displaying pictures and mementos of Terry’s 25+ year career with the United States Army, and Army Reserves. She was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for Meritorious Service during her recent deployment.

It is because of people like the 3 that we welcomed home this weekend that we all enjoy the freedoms we have and they all volunteered to do what they do. Next time you see a man or woman in uniform as well as any other of our Veterans please take the time to thank them for all they do for our families & our Country! Here are a few photo's from her homecoming.







More photo's & a video from one of our Patriot Guard Riders for you to look at.

THE SGT RETURNS

About 2:00 pm I received an email about another homecoming...VERY SHORT NOTICE. An Army Sgt., a Medic, was returning from 15 months in Iraq. The staging will be at 6:30 pm in Oakland with KSU at 7:20pm. Her flight will arrive about 7:40 pm & then escort home. We realize that we can't make that as we are working on a project at home but will able to just go straight out to the final destination...her parents house.

When we drove up we found the house easily......all decked out....


and people everywhere with flags...a good group for such short notice.


About 8:25pm we hear the rumble of the bikes. I don't usually see them coming in as we usually follow the escort. Hard to photograph them as they come at me but it sure is impressive....




Spike & Sloopdog bring up the rear...




Saluting the flag...





Welcome home Sgt!!





Hugs....



The Vice Mayor of Pleasanton, CA


Tom, the Ride Captain of this mission talking to the Sgt.


The Sgt & Debbi


When we left the party was going strong....


As I've said before....these are the best.

WELCOME HOME MARINE

I have been asked to share some of the homecomings that we have been a part of so I will start now & possibly go back to a few of the others. We do these homecomings as members of the Patriot Guard Riders. If you ever have the opportunity to welcome any of our Heroes home I strongly suggest you do it. It really is the best thing ever. Supporting Our Troops is more than sticking a magnet or bumper sticker on your car. Welcome Home's are the best ever...something I could do 24/7 if I had the chance.

We arrived at the staging area about 6:15 pm....we left the house early as the traffic was supposed to be horrible....the Marine was expected abut 7:30 pm or so. When we got there there was already a good group in attendance.


"The Chaplain" wanted his picture taken.


More riders coming in...

This was a group shot we took tho more riders showed up afterwards....

Getting ready to ride.....

Waiting.....

They finally arrived at 9:15pm. They had driven up from Camp Pendleton & took longer than anticipated due to traffic.... Mom was really ready to burst waiting at home.

The LCpl was seriously surprised...


Welcome Home, Marine!! We love you......

"Hey! Can I check out the bikes?"

LCpl checking out the bikes. Poor Mom & Dad waiting at home....

KSU (Kick Stands Up) & ready to roll...

Escorting the LCpl home....

A whole lot of people waiting....

Bryan Weldon of Lafayette Flag Brigade & Sgt Major of PGR shaking LCpl's hand...

Sloopdog & Spike of PGR with LCpl....

Steve, LCpl & Debbi....

Was an absolutely awesome nite tho a very long one. Watch for more postings....

LCDR Sumrall Homecoming

We had 25 bikes & 4 cages for this welcome home. This is the first time most of us had attended one that no one knew who the returning hero was. We quickly figured it out & it was a great time. We escorted him to the NOSC center in Alameda where they had pizza & soda for us all. He was very appreciative as his wife was out of country & no one would have been there to greet him. Below is a video of us greeting him at the airport...that's me getting in a hug at the end.

A Hero's Welcome

We staged with the Patriot Guard Riders at Harley dealership in Oakland where the parents, Peggy & John stopped by on their way to the airport to say hello. KSU (Kickstands Up) was at 1630. Bikes lines up & we followed em on to the airport. We had a very large group to welcome him upon his return from Iraq. Was he ever surprised when he stood at the top of the escalator & saw us all...salutes & cheers. Handshakes & hugs followed. Then we all headed out to line up for the escort our Hero home. 25 bikes & 8 cages escorted his Parents vehicle the 14 miles home. What a ride!! When we got there the Lafayette Flag Brigade had done there best to decorate the place & the East Bay Blue Star Mom's of which Peggy is a member had a wonderful spread set out to feed everyone. It was a great celebration. Welcome Home Matt & Thank you for your Service to our Country!!

Below is a video of Matt being welcomed at the airport....

WHAT A WEEK

Well this has been an interesting week for sure. This past Wed. we had a busy day planned & it got even busier. It was to start out with Diane & I going to lunch & shopping at Jack London Square....a nice girls day out. About the time I was getting ready Steve came home from work with bad case of heartburn. He felt he would be ok but was supposed to meet us later in Oakland for a photo exhibit by a friend of ours....he would let us know. When Diane arrived she tried to get Steve to go to Dr. but he said he was fine....we took off.

Arrived at Jack London Square...it was a gorgeous day.

After we wandered around a bit we had a fabulous lunch at Kincaid's....complete with Margarita's of course. I had a Hot Crab Sandwich which was to die for & Diane had French Onion soup & Salad. We finished up with Key Lime Pie at the suggestion of our serverAfter lunch we did a little more sightseeing & shopping & decided to stop in to Cocina Poblana for a final Margarita before we needed to go to the photo gallery. The Restaurant was very nice tho not the best Margarita I've ever had.

After we finished up at JLS we headed up Broadway to the College of the Arts for the first gallery showing of Sean Donnelly's photo's. There was absolutely no parking so we had to park in the lot of a nearby shopping center & walk up the hill to the college. Steve met us there. Also attending were 2 members of East Bay Blue Star Mom's...Tami & Michelle. The show was great...we loved his work. After about an hour or so we need to leave as we still had to stop off in Fremont to pick up Sonja & then head to to San Jose Airport to welcome home the daughter of one of the South Bay Blue Star Mom's. We said our goodbye's to all and left.

We flew down the freeway...making a quick stop in Fremont to pick up Sonja & got back the freeway & headed for the staging area...a Chevron station near the airport. A nice group was there when we arrived...some of the usual attendees plus a new Motorcycle club from the area. They asked me to take their photo. Time came to head out...

Shortly after that last photo was taken Diane grabbed me & told me that Steve was down....at first we thought he was having a sugar drop (he's diabetic) ....luckily we had 2 nurses in the group that took care of him til the EMT's arrived. After the EMT's did their thing they said he was most likely having a heart attack & needed to go to hospital. They started getting him ready for transport. When all this started happening the Patriot Guard moved the flag line to shield the view of Steve so that the soldier would not see him when she arrived.

When the SSgt arrived everything went off without a hitch....lots of hugs from Mom

Got a pix of her with Diane & gave her a Challenge coin before Diane & Sonja took me to the hospital.

More to follow....