Ride Report Posted for Jon Gear aka Spike

The 333rd MP unit was coming home to a Welcome Home Ceremony in Freeport IL at the
Masonic Temple after spending a year in Afghanistan. The WWR was invited to
Escort Four of the Soldiers from the Ceremony to The Sycamore DeKalb Area.
It was Raining and Cold and only One Motorcycle and One Cage were at the
Staging location. Around 8:15 PM The Soldiers and their Families arrived to
a pair of grateful WWR Members. After shaking hands with the four soldiers
despite the rainy cold weather Spec. Candace Mallin Grabbed a Harley Jacket out
of her Parents car and put it on over her uniform and hopped on the back of
my motorcycle for the 82 mile ride to Sycamore. As we got closer to
Sycamore the rain started to come down heavy, so I asked Spec Mallin if she
wanted me to pull over so she can get in a car and she said no. She said
that she was having a great time riding and it was the best thing since she
heard she was coming home. As we reached the DeKalb Area a Dekalb County
Sheriff Squad joined our convoy of six vehicles and led the way. We then
entered the Sycamore Area where a Sycamore Squad Took the lead. We rolled
through the downtown area with Lights Sirens and Horns echoing off the
buildings. As we approached our destination at the Dekalb County Courthouse
to the Surprise of the Soldiers there stood approximately 100 People in the
rain at 10:00 at night waving flags and cheering. I Pulled up in front of
the crowd and let Spec. Mallin off the back of the bike where the Mayor of
Sycamore and the Mayor of Dekalb greeted her and the other soldiers. After
exchanging Hand Shakes and Hugs and having people take a lot of pictures the
DeKalb County Sheriffs and the Sycamore Police escorted each of the
Soldiers to their homes. Despite the rain, the cold, and the soaking wet
leathers these soldiers were brought home safely and were given a Heroes
Welcome!