There is no point in planting them if
you don’t water them.
O’Hare was looking good on a
good-looking day.
As we started to gather, O’Hare
security, law enforcement and traffic control reacted.
Randy Fagan is a reservist. He was assigned as a driver today.
He lives in
I was a little early but so were
others.
We continued to roll in.
Upper level between Two and Three.
Finally the brain-trust caught up to
the rest of us.
And we learned the plan.
There wasn’t enough space on the
Terminal Three flight, so seven soldiers would arrive at Terminal One.
New guys.
As we were briefing, a sailor bound for
We delayed his passage.
Beads.
I went with the half that was assigned
Terminal Three. The American Legion was
ahead of us.
The guys picked out their own stuff.
I don’t know what he has got in there….
A guitar, a flag and a long-stem yellow
rose.
Dave told us, “They went to
After we got them back upstairs, we
walked them through the ticketing area.
One of our guys yelled, “They went to war
to fight for your freedom! They are back
now!”
Photos can’t show the noise that was
made.
Then we settled them back at the bikes.
Another sailor was caught in the
cross-fire.
It was especially good for his brother
and his mom to see.
You don’t have to go to war to be a
hero. Just putting on a uniform is
enough.
We were waiting for the bus and the
Terminal One contingent.
The O’Hare USO was involved at every
location.
A shirt you earn: “Our troops know I have their back.”
Their families were waiting at
They were nearly home.
This is the 3/420. (3rd Terminal, 420th Company.)
The 1/420 was spotted.
We had connected with them in Terminal
One.
Now we walked them through Terminal
Two.
Remember this TV commercial?
People want to do the right thing.
They just need to know that RIGHT NOW is the time to do it.
So we told them.
And they did it.
Budweiser gets credit for making it
known, but the USO gets credit for making it happen:
The emotional “Applause” advertisement
is based on the experience of a creative director at one of Anheuser-Busch’s ad
agencies, DDB-Chicago, who witnessed a similar homecoming for
The bus had arrived and they soldiers
were all present. Time
to go.
Soldiers must wear helmets.
We wouldn’t want to damage government
property.
We started out. These bikes were ahead of me.
These were behind me.
These ahead.
And these behind.
(Followed by the bus.)
First, we were pacing a jet.
Then we were dodging under one.
We passed the “hands free” sign.
The guys gave me space when I went
hands-free.
We worked our way north.
The bus following.
Debbi was watching.
Then we turned onto 22.
Waited…
…for…
…a…
…train…
…to…
pass.
Leadership is not
just understanding the mission.
It is also about communicating that
understanding.
HOO…
…ahhh!
Highwood.
And home.
Even civilians are supposed to wear a
hat on base.
But there wouldn’t be any tickets
today.
The 420th Transportation
Company dismounted and
went inside for their stand-down ceremony.
Dave gave our gratitude to the trooper.
We confirmed where we were going next.
And then we headed there.
Simple as that.
back
to ALL MISSIONS
Postscript: These are two
letters that were written in August, 2010.
First letter:
8/29/10 - The day I was among great men and women
Ok, so many people may not care about this, but 8/29 was a day that will be
etched in my mind and my heart.
A friend of mine attended a "Keep Alive 45" event to remember those
who fought in and died in World War II. I wanted to go but because
of family events was unable to.
He told me of the event and of the group that held it. They are
known as the "Warrior Watch Riders". They are similar to
the "Patriot Guard" in escorting our fallen soldiers but they also
get groups of people together to welcome home soldiers returning from
overseas. When he told me of this, I signed up to be a member of the
group that day.
I'm just a ordinary citizen. I've never
belonged to any group like this nor have I ever done anything like
this. But I received an email from the group informing me of 2
welcome home "missions" that were happening on 8/29. So I
planned on attending, not knowing what it was all about or what was going to
happen.
We met at
We (my wife and I along with my friend who attend the previous event) pulled
into the lot and parked. I introduced myself to a couple of people
as we were walking into the group.
As the leader of the group gathered us together for a pre-ride meeting, he
asked if there were any new members to the WWR. I raised my hand and
everyone there broke out in loud and enthusiastic
applause. Wow. I was really speechless and could feel my
heart leap up into my throat. He then went on to list the amount of
service and achievements that the returning soldier had
accomplished. To which when he completed that, the crowd erupted in
loud applause.
After the meeting, he (Otto - a Veteran of the Vietnam war
with the US Marines) approached me and presented me with a collection of beads
on a leather strip. The significance of the beads were
explained to me.
On one end there are 4 blue beads. They represent those currently
serving in the military. On the other end are 4 gold beads
representing those family members who have had those that have died defending
our country. In the middle were 2 each,
red, white and blue beads representing the
I will always keep this representation of our military. I feel very honored to be presented with this and will cherish it
forever.
It was at that time I felt like I was surrounded my men and women of honor,
integrity and with a sense of duty to their country. In all
actuality, I felt small. I felt out of place. But more
and more people (the vast majority of them current or past members of the
military who had served in one of our theaters of conflict) came up to me,
shook my hand and thanked me for being there. To me, it was the
opposite. If it weren't for their service, their sacrifice, people
like me wouldn't be able to speak out like I do. I turned around and
shook their hand to thank them for what they do. I was told time and
time again from different Veterans that without support from people like me,
their job would be much more difficult.
I was truly humbled to be there.
As we prepared to leave, fire trucks, ambulances, police cars showed up to give
us a full siren escort to the young mans home.
By the way...this young man had no idea we were coming. It was set
up with the WWR and his mother.
So we left the park for a short 2-3 mile ride to the soldier's
home. Police and fire and medic vehicles were all blaring
their sirens. The motorcycle riders were all honking their horns,
revving their engines and in general, making a TON of noise during the entire
ride and it only got louder the closer we got to the young man's
home. Cars traveling in the opposite direction pulled
over. Some honking their horns, most waving and some cars all you
saw were alot of hands and arms reaching out the
windows and sunroofs giving us thumbs up signs and peace signs. To
witness that...to be a part of that is something I can't put into
words. Needless to say, my eyes began to well up with emotion.
We all got off our bikes, out of the cars and assembled in the family's front
yard and when the returning soldier came out of his house everyone erupted into
a huge round of applause, all of us yelling as loud as we could, "WELCOME
HOME!!!"
As you could easily see, this young man (Andrew) was overwhelmed with emotion,
as was I. (My eyes well up now just describing it!!)
We all got in line and every one of us (there were better than 50 people) shook
his hand, gave him a hug and welcomed him home. It was truly a very
special experience. During this time, the crowd continually broke
out in applause...yelling...welcoming...thanking. My heart pounded everytime that happened.
Otto then took the young man and presented him with the same beads he gave me
and explaining the significance. Pictures were taken of the group
and people were talking to the family and to Andrew.
When people were breaking up and getting ready to leave, Otto approached me and
asked what I thought of the event. I told him that it was perhaps
the coolest thing I had ever done and that my emotions had at times overtook
me.
His response? "Why do you think we all
wear dark glasses!!"
He then asked if I was going to go to the 2nd welcome home mission later in the
day to which I said, "Absolutely".
Fast forward to the second event. We met at
a drugstore parking lot. At this event we were escorting a returning
soldier from his grandmothers home to his home where
he was having a welcome home party. While assembling in the parking
lot, a young man who was listening to what was going on had opened his trunk
and pulled out his Marine Dress Blues. He was immediately welcomed
with applause and cheers. He told stories of battles in
Again...felt small...out of place.
So then Tom VaGundy is now going thru the list of
accomplishments of the soldier we are escorting and the list was long and
impressive for a man of his apparent young age.
While this is happening, two young women pulled into the parking lot going to
the pharmacy.
She got out of her car and started yelling f-bombs at us and being a real
douche. One Marine Vet yelled back at her that they had defended her
rights to free speech just like anyone else. She continued into the
pharmacy with hate in her voice, continuing to drop f-bombs to the Veterans
assembled.
30 seconds later...a person (who I assume is the manager) led her out the door
and pointed for her to leave. Kudo's to
the manager.
The marine that just happened to be there joined our rally to the other mans
home. A man came out of the pharmacy with his two young
children....they also joined the convoy.
Once again, we prepare to leave for about a 3-4 mile ride to the young mans
home. Again, police, fire, medical...all blaring
their sirens giving us a non-stop escort. The convoy of bikes again
honking their horns, revving their engines, making as much noise as we could
and again....getting louder as we rode thru the neighborhood to his home.
And again....people waving, giving peace signs and thumbs up. Wow.
And yes, once again, as everyone gathered in the front yard, continual applause
and yelling. It was really something.
So its all said and done. Otto then
approaches me again and asked what I thought. Not only was it
perhaps the coolest thing I've ever done, it FELT REALLY REALLY
good. (but its soooooo
not about me).
He asked if I would do it again and I said unequivocally...yes. He
told me that this is truly addicting to which I agreed.
To finish the day he told me that I was now part of a family. He
gave me hand shake and then pulled me in for a big hug. To say I was
a little emotional is an understatement.
Following the events of 8/28 (the Glenn Beck Restoring Honor Rally) I felt like
I was among some of the country's most honorable people. It was a
very emotional experience and one that I will gladly repeat.
For those that took the time to read this, thank you for letting me share this
very special day. If anyone gets the chance, I highly suggest doing
this. You don't need to join anything. You don't have to
be on a motorcycle. You just need to show up and welcome home a
soldier who has volunteered to give his life in defense of ours.
Second letter:
I manned the booth at the wounded warriors run. The first thing I
would like to do is thank all those who showed up and helped at the booth. I
was very grateful for that and thank all of you. I have a story that I would
like to share that has touched me gravely.
After everyone left for the run I stayed at the booth since I didn't bring my
bike. About 100 to 150 of the 750 that left for the wall came back for the
concerts. We also had some locals show up just for the concerts. So I continued
to hand out our fliers and tell people what we are all about. By the
time the third band started I had already been thinking about breaking down the
booth since there was no one coming by the booth anymore and I knew I had to
get to work early. And every time I thought about it I had a feeling I
shouldn't and I would stay. Well about a half an hour later I found out why.
I was talking to a couple about our mission and I noticed a
older gentleman listening in. I didn't think anything about it at the time. I
fished talking to the couple and the man was gone. Once again I thought about
breaking down the booth and again didn't because I had a feeling I
shouldn't. I said to myself I will give it ten more minutes. And
about ten minutes went by and the older gentleman came up to the booth and
asked what we were about. I grabbed a flier and told him all about our mission
and what we do. He actually thanked our group for stepping up and supporting
the troops like we do. He then started telling me about when he returned from
war and he was told he had to change into his civies
before they even landed and I instantly realized that I was talking to a
I didn't even think twice and I thanked him for his service and
apologized for what happened. He couldn't understand why I would
apologize being that I am only 28 years old and wasn't even born yet. He
thanked me for caring and doing what we all do. I pulled out a set of mission
beads and out my last coin in my hand and I told him "
don't thank me I wasn't even there. You are the one who was there
defending all of us. I would like to shake your hand." I put
the coin in his hand while i shook his hand just like
so many of us do and the only words he spoke was oh my god. He
starting breaking down right there. I could see in his eyes that he
couldn't believe what was happening right there. I held up a set of our mission
beads and explained them to him and handed them to them with honor. He
tried to speak several times and choked up every time. He through open his arms
and threw them around me! I embraced him as he sobbed on my shoulder
saying thank you so much over and over. I couldn't help myself and I broke down
right with him. I felt so hovered that just that simple gesture could mean so much
to a vet. I couldn't believe it. We talked a bit more and he had to go find his
wife.
It is a moment that made me proud to be part of this incredible
group. One little gesture really does mean everything to these
heroes. I have been and always will be proud to rise with each and everyone of you and I am humbled and honored to continue to
do what we do as long as I am alive. I just wanted to share this story and I
appreciate you listening. If you can I would like to share this with everyone
if you would help. I don't have everything set up yet to send to
everyone thank you all and i will see you
soon.