Ride Report posted for Cheryl

A Wednesday night email turns into a Friday Welcome home for Army Spc Pat Mola, thanks to his Gramma Sherry Russell. “This is a surprise to the whole family if you can do this” said Gramma Russsell. “Noone knows I’m asking for this, but Pat really deserves it.”
 
Pat returned to his base at Fort Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska after a 1 yr deployment in Afganistan. He has been serving with the 4th Airborne Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Div. While in Afgaanistan, Spc Mola was in several different provinces including Paktya, Paktika and Khost. Among his many jobs, Spc Mola helped to improve and re-open 29 schools, remodel or improve medical clinics and courthouses as well as roads. Pat is an automatic rifleman, regularly assigned to the 3rd Batt, 509th Parachute Infantry Regiment, with 3 yrs of service.

His mom Lisa Mola, his sister and all his grandparents were there to see him welcomed home and so were friends. As we waited in the parking lot of a near by resturaunt, we noticed a helicopter hovering. It was a news copter waiting to “capture the moment”. 

 With our flagline in place, our Home Front Heroes from the Elgin Police and Fire Departments ready to escort, we wait for dad Frank’s blue Corvette. That’s something Pat was thinking about in Afganistan, driving dad’s Corvette. And sure enough, here they come with Pat behind the wheel. The smile on his face tells me Gramma Sherry’s fears are gone, no longer worried “he’ll be mad at me for doing this”.

 
 After a round of hugs and handshakes, we jump back on bikes and cages and off we go. Lights, sirens, horns, and of course the rumble of the bikes. As we leave the Elgin and enter Gilberts, we add another Home Front Hero from the Gilberts Police Department who will take the lead to the family home.
 
Once at the family home, we presented Spc Pat Mola with our trinkets of appreciation. (They seem so small compared to what they do.) Then took our group pictures and got his autograph. More hugs and handshakes and off we go into the sunset with the family promising to “pay this forward”. We’re also hoping to see them out on missions in the future. Right, Gramma Russell !?!
 
THANKS!, to all of you who came out to help celebrate this family’s happiness at the safe homecoming of their loved one.
 
THANK YOU, to the Elgin and Gilberts Police and Fire Depts. We are always happy to have your help.
 
To the Mola and Russell families, Thank you for letting us be a part of your special time. And to Gramma Sheery Russell for asking us.
 
And lastly and certainly most importantly, to our hero, Army Specialist Pat Mola, for doing what you do so we can do what we CHOOSE to. THANK YOU, you and your sacrifices will never be forgotten.!