Mission Report, 353rd TC Welcome Home 13 Jul 09, Buffalo, MN

The day started out beautiful, sunny, warm, and hardly any wind. As a RCIC putting missions together it is always a fear that because of timing, time of day, or weather we have a small turn out. THIS DAY WAS NOT ONE OF THEM. I called Laurie (my wife) who was RCIC at the Buffalo High School and she told me that there were few there waiting, I felt relieved that there were at least some there (more to come on the school part of the mission).

I was heading up the escort which at this point was Phil, 9 bikes and riders along with Beth & Clarissa (the mom & sister of one of the soldiers returning). Beth rode on the back of the lead bike with Doug on this units departure escort. She was so excited to do the same on the return. The escort along with Phil Pesheck waited at the airport gate. During the wait there we were joined by a Hennepin County Sheriff, two Bloomington squads, and a Bloomington Motor Patrol all of which Phil had arranged. Also joining us there was the General that used to be in charge of the returning unit, he was there to welcome them home as the soldiers got off the plane.

If you haven’t ever needed Phil’s LEO support for a mission, it is something to be in awe of. I was amazed at the organization and collaboration the LEO team led by Phil had. I knew we were well covered for our trip from the airport to Buffalo, well I thought we were because it gets better.

As we waited the buses pulled in, Minnesota Coaches. Even the buses they sent to transport the soldier’s home were in tune to the mission, big red ones with US flags painted on the sides. The General went in with the buses. It took the unit about 30 minutes to get off the plane, unload all their gear and reload it onto the buses. We had a few spotters that could see the movement from their high vantage points.

The scouts shouted “They’re Moving” which meant they were on the way to our position, and the excitement started. As they came out the gate they stopped for only a moment while the LEO briefed the drivers and then we were on the way.

Onto 494 with no issues, Phil’s LEO team took care of all the traffic, the buses kept up with us with the General in his cage just in front of them. We drove up 494, center lane with no one in front or sharing the road with us, the LEO team of five made sure of that.

The first to greet the soldiers and escort was Linda (Phil’s wife) who was waving a huge US flag on a walk bridge over 494. I knew she was going to be there and yet when I saw her I still got goose bumps and that lump in the throat that makes it hard to swallow.

We turned onto Hwy 55 where (this is where it starts to get better) Plymouth Police had the intersections secured and we were able to sail right through them. So up 55 we traveled passing by the Plymouth Fire department that was parked along side the Hwy with lights flashing and firemen waving.

All along the route in every town we passed through there were LEO, Fire & Rescue, and people out to greet the heroes returning from their mission of defending our freedoms. As we traveled toward Buffalo more and more LEO and Fire Trucks joined in front of us from every town on the route. It is about two miles from Hwy 55 to the school, I think that as the first Fire truck reached the school, the last LEO had just turned off 55.

At the Buffalo school we turned into the parking lot where the whole length of which was lined with PGR & flags, way more than 40 of them. I thought WOW, it looked awesome from my point of view. Then we turned to pull in front of the school and there were even more PGR & flags lining the sidewalks with all the family members behind them. I am glad my escort ride was done because by now it was getting hard to see (must have gotten something in both eyes).

The soldiers departed the buses and went directly to the gymnasium followed by the families. The PGR had been invited to line the back of the gym so we let all the family go in first and then followed, lining half of both sides and the back of the gym. I was directing PGR traffic with my back to the soldiers and families, they were all clapping. Someone walked by me and said “they are applauding you guys” I was too embarrassed to turn and look so I kept focused on my task.

The ceremony started and speakers (one of which was Lieutenant Governor Molnau) addressed the audience. At one point the speaker thanked the PGR for what we do and the audience gave them a standing ovation, the PGR responded with a salute of their proudly held flags.

The ceremony was brief, the soldiers were dismissed and the room exploded with a cheer. Soldiers were reunited with their family, the PGR stood while they did. Once the soldiers and family started to leave the PGR broke down the flag line and disbursed. Mission completed and so very well done by our members.

I want to thank All involved in the mission, especially Phil and all the LEO & Fire Dept’s along the way, community support, and Laurie for RCIC’ing the school. As for the PGR members, Thank you! I was so proud to see all 89 (total with escort was 102) of you as I pulled into the school. I knew that there were 5 people coming for sure, when I saw what looked like a hundred when I pulled in I couldn’t even swallow because of the lump in my throat, my eyes teared up (must have been the dust) and my heart of hearts soared. You are the greatest.

(@) Click here to for Photos taken by Beth (the mom) and another escort rider Pat Igo

This was a good day to be a Patriot Guard,

Tim Leonhardt