Ride Report posted for Michael Kostuck

January 25th was yet another one of those crazy Chicago winter evenings…Subzero temperatures and yes, snow again…Drove up to O’hare to escort one of our finest Cpl Ronald J. Tarasiewicz home on leave…What can I say about the Tarasiewicz family and friends? The few words that come to mind are patriotic, proud, and energetic. They were sure an exciting bunch of patriots that was for sure…I’m proud to call them friends now…Received a call from the mom earlier in the day and found out that Ronald was actually able to get an earlier flight and was home a hour or so earlier then expected…The funny thing though, was it was too late to change times, so Amy aka Mom, had to stall things…So poor Ronald’s first meal was at the airport…Once I arrived at the airport oasis there was only Judy and shortly after our Berwyn police officer, Officer Jim…I thought, man I hope more show up…Know the weather was bad, but this soldier deserves better…And just as I was about to worry, one by one our faithful “warriors” showed up….Well, after receiving the call that they were on there way, we were lined up at O’hare Oasis southbound all 6-7 of us and an officer…First time I had to recruit our police escort to be part of our flag line, but no problem there…Officer Jim was happy to do his part. Let me take a moment and thank the Berwyn Police department and Officer Jim for doing an outstanding job of escorting us…Not only did they provide us with the necessary LEO assistance, they drove over an hour in terrible weather to meet with us and stand in the cold, then to drive back another hour to the parents home in Berwyn. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!! Shortly after we were lined up, here comes a white limo, filled with the most excited family and friends that I have seen and emotional to have Ronald home with them…We welcomed the soldier home and thanked him for his service…He also received plenty of hugs, but not sure if it was more for his service or to keep him warm, since he didn’t have a jacket on…Well once home in Berwyn, Berwyn’s finest had streets closed for us to make it easier to proceed to the home…While driving down his street, horns blaring, sirens whaling…Sure babies screaming in someones home, we sure let his neighbors know a true American Hero was home…We had local TV coverage of this special welcome home…Many neighbors came out to hug and welcome Ronald home, while parents were in amazement and tears, also before I forget his very excited to see him wife that had been long awaiting his return…Don’t think no one was happier to see him then her…Well my last final thoughts as we left, was as we were leaving I saw Cpl Ronald Tarasiewicz out of the corner of my eye and as we were passing by his house to leave, there was this brave soldier standing out in the freezing temperature saluting us, looked like a strong stern statue…Who are we to be saluted by this brave soldier as we left, I thought? As tears forming in my eyes…All I could think was yes, this is the kind of brave men and women whom serve our country that we as a “family” so love.