Ride Report for Ride Captain Bob “RJ”
U.S. Army National Guardsman MSgt Chris Winling got a homecoming he will never forget, and neither will his neighbors.

Winling, a 16-year veteran returned from his 3rd deployment with his elite, 18-man Bilateral Embedded Staff Team to a reception ceremony in Bloomington, IL.  After the ceremony, Winling was driven home by his wife, Jill (with aunt and mother-in-law following) and 3-yr old twins Regan and Andrew, about 3 hours from their home in Round Lake Beach. We intercepted them at a pre-arranged location in Gurnee, IL with a flag line and cheers.

The 6-mile escort through rush hour traffic was led by a well-timed relay of PD and Fire from Gurnee and Round Lake Beach.

As we rounded the corner on Winling’s block, a crowd of well wishers, TV cameras and the local Fire Department in full gear were waiting to greet our hero.  We tried to keep our presentations brief, because MSgt Winling was about to walk into yet another surprise.  While he was deployed, Jill entered and won a contest for a complete home remodeling and the Master Sergeant had yet to see the results.  What a way to start the weekend for EVERYONE involved!