Ok, so it’s a typical mid-October day here in Chicagoland, windy with the threat of thunderstorms, but if they (our soldiers) can do it, so can we. It’s a good thing the staging location had a McDonalds near by cuz that’s where everyone gathered to get out of the weather. After a quick round of introductions for “Bob the Limo guy” (a new member who has offered his services to our military families) and our out-of-town sister Fefe and her friends, we get this sendoff underway.

 

We head to the home of Ryan Psenka, US Marine, who is deploying for his first tour in Afghanistan. At 10:15 on a Saturday morning, the families’ driveway looks like a party has been going on with people EVERYWHERE! It’s actually for Ryan…neighbors, friends, family and now the WWR. As everyone takes their turn to hug and thank Ryan, I learn that there are actually 7 moms who are all long time friends and now each of them has a son who is currently serving in the military. A few more are set to deploy. Among them is Ryan’s friend Colten Zumach who is leaving on Monday 10/25 to serve with the Army in first in S Korea then on to Afghanistan. Since Colten and his mom Kathy have come out to see Ryan off, I decided to acknowledge Colten as well.

I started out by thanking everyone who came out to support these 2 young heroes. YES HEROES! But why are they heroes when they are just doing their jobs…? Because not everyone can or will set up to do “THAT” job. Not everyone will put themselves in harms way for strangers, but they are willing to do just that. A round of cheers and applauses slowly die down enough for me to ‘pass the coins’, present the thread and explain the beads. I also read a short prayer in hopes of bringing some comfort to the moms. (it helped me when mine deployed, see it below). Good thing it started drizzling again cuz then no one knew the difference between the rain and the tears! Even our Marine was having a hard time expressing his appreciation.

Ok so it’s time to get this escort rolling to O’Hare. We get the family into Bob’s limo and with limited LEO support and our cautious road blockers we are on the way. I do need to acknowledge once again, Lake Zurich and Kildeer Police Departments for their support of our military members and to the WWR. Not only do they help get us safely through their towns, but will pass their jurisdictions if need be! Their support and caring shows and is greatly appreciated by all.

We get the family to O’Hare. The traffic control people are starting to realize when they hear the rumble of many bikes and see a line of cars following, that it can only mean another hero is near by, so they clear a spot for us. (How cool is that!!) A dozen bikes, a limo, and a bunch of cages/cars all lined up in front of the terminals wishing our Marine a speedy and safe return with promises of being here when he comes home. And with that the WWR leaves the family for some quiet time before Ryan starts the next chapter in his life.

Later that afternoon I learned that one of our bikes went down due to the wet and painted roadway leaving O’Hare. Not to worry, all is well except for the bruised bottom and ego…(glad to hear you are ok!)

I also received emails later that night from both Ryan’s mom and Colten’s mom. Letters of thanks to the WWR for their support of strangers and for making this a day that neither Ryan, Colten or their families will ever forget.

A MOTHER’S PRAYER

MOST MERCIFUL FATHER, I HUMBLY ASK

FOR STRENGHT AND ENCOURAGEMENT AS THEY DO THEIR TASKS.

PLEASE GIVE ME PEACE AS I WATCH TV

KNOWING MY LOVED ONES ARE PROTECTED BY THEE.

AND HELP ME REMEMBER AS THE DAYS SEEM SO LONG

THAT YOU ARE BESIDE THEM, WITH ANGEL WARRIORS 10,000 STRONG.

OH LORD PLEASE ENGULF THEM WITH COURAGE UNBOUND

TO RELY ON THE STRENGHT OF YOUR SON’S THORNY CROWN.

AND IF THEY’ER AFRAID AND LONELY FOR HOME

REMIND THEM WE LOVE THEM AND THEY’RE NOT ALONE.

THIS WE ASK OF YOU MOST MERCIFUL LORD

TO RETURN THEM BACK SAFELY HOME FROM THE WAR.

NO MATTER HOW THEY TRAVEL, BY LAND, AIR OR SEA,

JUST BRING THEM BACK SAFELY IS ALL WE ASK OF THEE.

AUTHOR UNKNOWN….