Escort was to stage at 1-94 rest stop at 2:40, Heavy storms rolled in to cities about 12:35. I was geared up for the rain, but wasn't for the high winds. I think I was traveling with the storm front the whole way from west metro to east metro. Thanks to a few strategically placed tractor trailers on the highway I was able to avoid being blown off the road. The storm winds started to settled down to a steady 25 mph from 30-40 mph with 60 mph or so gusts that I drove in from New Hope to Woodbury. I know it wasn't the most fun I have had, but it was interesting. At one point as I passed under 494 a State Patrol in a SUV pulled along side me, glanced over and saw a thumbs up from him, then a smile and a shake of his head in dis-belief as he pulled away.

Intentions were to get to the rest stop in case any of the other riders were foolish enough to be out in the storm too. If the weather continued I was prepared to send the State Trooper and buses to West St Paul without the bikes. I arrived at the stop about 13:45, parked in the rain, walked under the shelter and took off the helmet. The trooper pulled in about 13:55. Rain stopped a few minutes later. About 14:15 the first bike showed, then two, then three until we had 7 total. Had a very short briefing told them the route, Mark Mohr which lives in West St Paul gave us an alt route rather than down 494. Route he suggested was to get into the left lane of 94 and take it to 52 south, then 52 south to 110 which looped to South Roberts. Mark also contacted all the LEO and made sure they had the plan, it helps having someone familiar with the area and that has contacts, thanks Mark.

Mission: About 14:35 the buses pulled in, soldiers didn't need to get off the buses, so a couple of us got on the buses and welcomed them home to Minnesota. I told them that our job now was to get them home to their families as quick as we can, my bus cheered. Rain had stopped, roads were wet so I told the trooper that we will be taking it easy on some of the sharper turns and we were off. Route was great, my riders were good and convoy proceeded with only a few cages moving in-between the bikes and the buses, they were dealt with swiftly by the tail gunner.

Got to South Roberts ramp where the Trooper dropped onto the shoulder and we went by him as planned. At the top of the ramp were 5 West St Paul squads. Two of them stopped all traffic on S. Roberts and pulled in behind the buses, one of them swept the road in front of the other two which were leading us, they all stopped briefly at the entrance to the Best Buy where two fire dept hook and ladder trucks pulled out in front of the bikes. The two squads and fire trucks cleared both north bound lanes of Roberts. Myself and Mark rode lead, one of us in each lane, buses behind me and the rest of the escort lined alone side the buses. I know we don't do parades, but the sight come up Roberts would have been a perfect looking one. I hadn't told anyone to do such a perfect formation, my riders did it all on their own as if by instinct. We pulled up to the Armory and what looked like a couple hundred family members cheered the buses, We pulled past, our mission was complete and we disappeared on our bikes around the corner.

We parked, dismounted, and then walked back to watch the awesome sight of the home coming. A few of us sought out the soldiers that didn't have anyone to greet them and greeted them ourselves, we spent time with them till they were picked up.

Thanks escort team, for the teamwork on this mission. I want to thank Mike the state Trooper, he did a great job getting us from the rest stop to West St Paul, Thanks IJ for setting him up. Thanks to the West St Paul police and Fire Department for getting us through West St Paul. It was awesome to have such support as we escorted this group of soldiers home to their loveones.

(@) PGR National Thread

Last item, after all the soldiers left the clouds moved in and rain started again, luckily it only lasted 10-15 minutes and I got to ride home dry.

What a day, great day to be a Patriot Guard
Tim Leonhardt