Report posted for Matter

Weather Forecast: A few flurries early in the morning. Highs in the mid 20s..

WWR Forecast: 1 Soldier coming home + 20 Riders + 50 Cagers = Sunny and Warm!

The plan sounded simple. Escort limo for the family to the airport, greet Michael as he arrives, escort to family home, then on to American Legion hall for food and festivities.  Make a  few phone calls, a couple of emails, post an entry or two on the forum… Done..

With a group like WWR, it really IS that simple. Everyone steps up and delivers.

Whether it be:

* someone who attends a function in Indiana all night, drives 4 hours in the wee hours of the morning so he can hop on his bike and escort the limo to the airport with me
* or the USO showing up in force this time and every time
* or the Chicago PD taking such good care of us again
* or the Algonquin FD who met us at the exit and escorted us IN STYLE all the way to our final destination
* or the wonderful way LITH & Algonquin PD seamlessly handed off escort duties as we entered, exited, and re-entered their respective communities
* or Michaels neighbors who lined the street by his house
* or the American Legion made up a banner, planted flags, catered food, bought Michael his first shot
* or the media, which showed up en masse thanks to the awesome efforts of yet another mother of a deployed soldier
* or all the crazy riders who braved the 20 degree temps to ride
* or the cagers who showed in numbers, including the really cool HMMWV
* or all the well-wishers who posted on the website, but could not make it….

Why does this all come together so well? It is not because of any one person, and yet it is.. It is not because we have nothing better to do, and yet it is.. It is because each one of us knows that the flag line will be 1 flag longer if we show. It is because each one of us knows that troop coming home, or going off, is giving up months/years of his life, sometimes, his very life, for US. It is the least we can do. Should do. Must do.

Michael.. Again… Happy Birthday, Welcome Home and THANKS!

Michael’s Family… Thank YOU for allowing US The Honor of escorting your hero home!! THANKS also for your entire family’s service and sacrifice for our country! Michael’s father, Mark, served 14 years active and in still in the reserve, Michaels Grandfather was Killed in Action in VietNam, Great Grandfather flew in the 4th Fighter Group in WWII, and it keeps going!

Riders, You guys are NUTS!! Not much over 20 degrees, some flurries and a flag flapping wind!!! ’tis why I love ya’s!!

Cagers (people who drive cars) are just as loved!!

Police, Fire, ALL ALONG THE WAY!! THANK YOU GUYS FOR THE SWEET RIDE!

Media people, thank you for being there.

THANKS, EVERYONE that was there, that helped or offered to help, and to those who couldn’t be there but wanted to be there; I was gonna list names, but where to begin and where to end??!?!!!

-matter

Great Photos: