PENNSYLVANIA: WELCOME HOME YN-2 KYLE MILLER

WWR had the honor and pleasure of welcoming home YN-2 Kyle Miller last night from his recent deployment in Afghanistan. His Mom, Diane, had asked the WWR to give this young man a welcome he would not forget. I hope we accomplished this request.

This mission was a little different than our normal in that we didn’t meet Kyle at the airport. It had been decided that going down I95 in the dark was a little too dangerous so we met up with him on his way home. A Heroes Welcome met him at the airport and gave him a fine welcome there. Then the family and A Heroes Welcome headed to our rally point for another welcome. He, of course, was not aware of what awaited him. Just about the time he starts to come down from the great welcome by A Heroes Welcome, he gets the second surprise of the evening.

Nineteen bikes and 2 cages, a total of about 24 people showed up at the Painters Crossing shopping center near Chadds Ford Pa. to await our hero’s arrival. As the Miller family pulled into the theatres’ parking lot, Kyle wanted to know why they were going to the theatre. It didn’t take long until he found out. WWR was lined up smartly, came to attention and rendered a salute as they approached. Kyle came out of the van to the applause and cheering of a WWR welcome home. After 15 minutes of back slapping and hugs, we mounted up and headed for the Miller home. Kyle decided to ride with Grease for the remainder of the trip. Grease forgot to leather up and got to ride the 21 miles to the Miller home in 55 degree weather with just a vest on. Chilly big fella?

The ride to the Miller home was uneventful until we exited the Rt 30 Bypass onto Rt 322. There we were met by two police cruisers for an escort the rest of the way to the Miller home. We passed a fire house and they had all their vehicles lined up out front. As we passed, they lit up the night with their lights and sirens. It was very impressive. Several of the trucks fell in behind us and accompanied us to the final destination.

As we approached the Miller home, we could see many friends and well wishers out for the welcome. One of the fire companies had a truck parked next to the driveway with the ladder extended and a huge American flag hanging down. It was quite a sight. Kyle was home with his family and friends, after standing in harms way for all of us. “The place where he belonged.”

A special thanks to Maria of A Heroes Welcome and Lou for all their work in making this wonderful welcome home a reality. Thank you Grease for your guidance in planning our part of this event. A special thanks to Chief Bob Zynn of the East Brandywine Fire Company and the men of the Glen Moore Fire Company for their amazing display and welcome. We can’t forget to thank the two officers of the Brandywine Regional Police Dept. for keeping us safe during the final leg of our escort. And as always, thank you, the members of the WWR, for making sure that this young man knew that our affection for him and our respect for his service to our country will not be forgotten.

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