367th Engineering CO, St. Cloud, MN, 16, 17 JAN 10

PART 1 of 3

On 16 January 30 members gathered at the KIMBERLY RITSCHE AUDITORIUM / STEWART HALL in Saint Cloud to start Part 1 of the Deployment for the 367th Engr Co. We staged at the Auditorium setting up the best we could due to the area. We had members from several sectors such as Brainerd, Metro, St Cloud and Wilmar. We stood flag line from 1 PM till 2 Pm at which time the send off program started. We then split our group in two and lined the sides of the Auditorium because the Unit wanted the Flag presence inside the Hall. The best part was seeing 1 member pull up with his bike which we set up on center of our flag line. The Thank You's from family and Unit members was non stop and helped to emphise the need for the Patriot Guard. A big Thank you goes out to all that attended, you made a big difference for these soldiers and their families.

Rick Rakow ARC St Cloud

Part 2 of 3

On Sunday January 17 at 1am we staged at the St Cloud Armory. We had a short briefing at 1:15am. The weather was great, about 27 degrees. Jason brought 2 propane heaters, they worked well while we waited for the troops to board the buses. We set a flag line at the back of the armory where the troops were going to come out. We had 24 pgr members present on the flag line. The troops began loading their luggage on the buses, there were many thank yous coming from the pgr and the troops. They held a final formation in the armory. As the troops came out to board the buses there was a constant thank you going on. We told them we would be waiting for them on their return, We then moved the flag line to line the street for about a block on both sides of the street. As the buses pulled out we waved to the troops. I could read their lips inside the buses saying thank you. We were told we could stay in the armory and get some sleep before the 9am departure if we wanted to. There was a rumor that I was buying breakfast for everyone, that turned out to be just a rumor.

Part 3 of 3

Sunday January 17th 8am. We had 29 pgr members on the flag line. The departure time was moved to 8am so we had to move fast to get on the flag line. Tim stayed in the parking lot for awhile to direct pgr members to the flag line behind the armory (Thanks Tim). It was a bit cooler, about 17 degrees. Part 3 was a carbon copy of part 2. The troops loaded their luggage, thank yous and hand shakes. They loaded on the buses after their final formation. Again we lined the street for a block. Waves and cheers, thumbs up from the troops on the buses. Again there was a rumor, this time Jason was buying breakfast at Perkins.

Thanks to all who came out to support the Deployment for the 367th Engr Co. You made a real difference by showing them you care.
Thanks Rick, Jason and Tim for your help!

(@) Pictures from mission

(@) PGR National Thread

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Greg Studer
St Cloud Sector Ride Captain