Welcome home 1175th

[Obsidian16825]

We just got back from our first big Welcome Home mission. 300 soldiers from the National Guard 1175th Transportation Company arrived in two airplanes this morning at Smyrna, loaded into five tour busses and were escorted to the armory in Tullahoma. I haven't heard a count, but it looked like around 70 bikes in front of the busses, really an awesome sight from my position in my car at the tail. THP helped with the escort, the only time I've been relatively relaxed with cop cars behind me. As we exited I20 at Tullahoma, we started seeing groups of neighbors waving, flying flags, and cheering. The groups got larger and larger as we got into town. A pair of man lifts held a welcome home banner over the street. Rows and rows of signs still line the streets welcoming the 1175th. Ticker tape may the a thing of the past, but we had a fantastic parade. Firetrucks joined in the escort. Crowds of onlookers flooded the street outside the armory. It was impossible not to tear up at the show of patriotism.
It was an honor to follow the busses in and watch the soldiers pour out and greet their families, hugging, crying, taking pictures. Two soldiers thanked me for being there because of being a Patriot Guard Rider. Me! NO, Thank YOU! My brain was numb. All I could say was affirm that I'm with the Patriot Guard and am so glad they're home. I asked how their flight and landing was in all that wind. It's rippin windy out there. They said it wasn't too bad, the pilot did a really good job getting down. I repeated that I sure am glad they're back. I can't remember how the conversation ended, but they headed to gather with the other solders in formation for their closing thing. I didn't get to hear what was said, but heard the exclamation.
A handfull of us packed the Pizza Hut to unwind a little, and enjoy some togetherness, before leaving Tullahoma.
Now, I feel like I've been to a different planet and back. What a day.

I think now I saw the count of bikes was estimated to be 60.
From what I see on the PGR site, there will be a few more welcome home days like this coming up. I can hardly wait.

[CheeseHeadNinja]

Cool story. Welcome home 1175th! It's always good to hear when our service men and women come home!

[A2rider]

You did a good thing. I'm proud of you.

[Alf]

Nice....

[SGVRider]

Thank you for showing your support for our military, and for your description of the homecoming celebration. It's good to know that patriotism for our great country is still alive and well, despite what me might see in such venerated institutions as CNN and the LA Times. I hope all of the 1175th's soldiers made it back safely. Hooah!