Ride Report posted for ‘Matter’

It was NOT a day for motorcycles.. Or so I thought.. South of 50 degrees and rain. But, the family latched onto the idea of making the final leg of our Marine’s journey home on bikes..

Who are we to deny ’em?

So the plan was for Mom, Amanda’s Friend, and our Marine to hop on the back of the 3 goofballs’ bikes for the hour long trip to her house.

But first, we waited with the USO (who AGAIN AND ALWAYS did/do a great job) at customs for Amanda to come out. When she finally did arrive, she spotted Mom, Dad, Brother Matt and her friend, who was wearing what appeared to be chaps! Her first comment was, “You wore CHAPS?!?!??!”.

She then noticed the biker dudes with extra rain gear and such, who all seemed very happy to see her.. Amanda was about to get her first ride AND it was to be on a fellow Marine’s Flag bike! She had no clue this was coming!! Good job family on keeping the secret!!

So we geared up, mounted up, and were escorted to the other brave souls who were soaked, but standing proud for a quick flag line welcome at the DesPlaines Oasis. Then off to Round Lake Beach (RLB)..

matter2

There are five communities between the expressway exit and RLB….. Coordinating LEO & FD is no small task.. Special Thanks go out to our LEO SPOC and for a couple of last minute angels who helped iron out a few of the details and made the last minute calls and adjustments.

And once again, Chicago PD, Deer Park, Killdeer, Wauconda, Lake County, and Round Lake PD&FD all did a great job getting us safely through the beginnings of rush hour in rain.

With only one small Semper Gumby which added a few minutes to our trip and resulted in missing RLB’s PD (Sorry RLB PD), we arrived not so dry, not so warm, but safely at our hero’s home. We promptly set to defrosting Amanda here and presented her and Matt with Honor Coins and Beads.. Her first ride and she was entering the first stages of hypothermia. But I never once saw her beautiful smile fade.. Even through the full body shivers.. This Marine was as tough as she was sweet.

Then, we had the extra honor of (belatedly) welcoming home her brother, Sgt. Matt Wilson from 2 tours in the sandbox. And again thanked this whole family where all four of their children are serving in the armed forces.

When the next 2 come home, we’ll do this again! Hopefully in warmer weather!!

Riders…What can one say except I Luv you guys… Cagers… You too!! Especially the ones who came from waaaaay down south and drove waaaay up north for this…

Amanda, Once again, Welcome Home and Thanks! You too Matt!!

Entire Wilson Family…. Thank you for all that you have given of your family for this great country. It was a huge honor for us to do this…

And remember, some sunny day, give one of us three “goofballs” a call, and we’ll re-do that ride WITHOUT the raingear!!

-matter