Completed Mission Report 851 VEC
July 12, 2008

Three bus-loads of troops left Camp McCoy on schedule at 12:30 pm on Saturday July 12, 2008. They were escorted to the MN border by Wisconsin Patriot Guard and picked up by the metro sector members. Our metro members brought the buses up Interstate Highway 94 to Clear Water where traffic was controlled by the Sherburne County Sheriff who continued along the escort to control traffic for the transition onto State Highway 10 at Clear Lake.

Brainerd and St. Cloud Sector members staged at the intersection of highway 10 where RC Starr Marshall did the introduction and briefed everyone on their part in the escort. There were 15 bikes assigned to do the escort including one member who had a nephew on one of the buses and another member who had a son on one of the buses. The weather was fantastic except for the gale force winds which brought out a caution from Starr. All members were told to have on helmets, boots, gloves and long sleeves because there would be no stopping to don the gear before arriving at Camp Ripley and no one would be allowed on Camp without the gear on.

The Royalton Police chief arrived at the staging area with the new squad to be part of the escort, safety for the riders and any necessary traffic control. As it got closer to the time of arrival for the buses we lined up on the shoulder of highway 10 with the Royalton Squad with flashing lights on behind us to provide our safety although I figured all the traffic going by was thinking those damn bikers did it this time.

The buses were spotted before they got to the intersection and came right thru as the Benton County Sheriff controlled traffic and we took up our assigned spots on the escort with 7 bikes in front and 8 behind and we blended in perfectly. Monica, Ron and Tim (God bless you guys/gal) continued on with us all the way to Camp Ripley.

We set the pace until the Benton Co. Sheriff deputy caught up to us and took the lead. There were only a couple of drivers that tried to pass during the way to Camp but with all the flashing lights it was done remarkably well and safely. We were led at approximately the speed limit to St. Cloud where all intersections were controlled by St. Cloud police and Benton County Sheriff deputies.

Another Benton County Sheriff deputy picked us up as we left St.Cloud but this time set the pace at a little over 70. Ron had to come up and slow the deputy down so everyone could keep up. As we got to Rice there was a police car to greet us and provide an escort and traffic control at the light (yes there is a stop light in Rice). There were some people along the highway with flags waving to the buses frantically.

The Sheriff deputy and the Royalton Police squad escorted us to Royalton where three Morrison County Sheriff squads, fire trucks and the ambulance service joined in to lead us through town with more people turned out to wave and cheer. We continued on to Little Falls where We picked up more fire trucks and the Little Falls police. There were literally hundreds of people lined the streets sometimes 3 or 4 deep with flags and signs and all cheering and waving. Talking to escort riders later some said they cried at the display of patriotism and honor they saw for out troops as we went thru town. Awesome is not a strong enough word to describe the feelings we had as we saw it all.

Bill Dodge of the Brainerd sector was RCIC responsible for setting up the flag line at Camp Ripley. Approximately 35 members showed up at the Canteen outside the main gate for the briefing and to sign the waivers. Members came from all over to help us complete this event. The flag line was set up at the new armory building well ahead of time and in sight of family members waiting for their heroes to arrive.

Fire truck, Sheriff and the Royalton Police took us right up to Camp. As we approached the main gate There were more people outside the Canteen and the main gate to cheer us on and welcome the heroes. We continued on into Camp and some military lined the streets by for the first few blocks, waving and cheering. As we turned onto the armory street we could see the line of flags from about half a mile and the sirens and horns from our public safety escorts was just great. What a welcome. We almost felt like they were welcoming us. Our lead rider got a big hug from a mom even before he could park his bike.

We looked around to see if any of the troops had no family present and to only ones we saw told us their family was there somewhere. We went to the Canteen for debriefing and to bask in the glory of a perfect mission.

Today was a day to be proud of our heroes but also to be proud of our patriotic citizens for turning out like they did, proud of our public safety people for making this a real celebration and a safe one, proud of our public officials and Chamber of Commerce for getting the word out to everyone and especially proud of the families to be there for their loved ones. It was heart warming to see the tears and the greetings and the happiness.

For the Brainerd leadership we are unbelievably proud of our members, members and leadership from other sectors and especially Monica, Ron and Tim, who rode the entire mission from the MN border and got home late, after a long day in the saddle. You have set an example by being so visible and we so appreciate all you do. I hope everyone will remember this mission for a long long time for what you have done today. We had several contacts on the buses and it will be interesting to get their perspectives of the days events as we hear from them in the coming days.

God Bless America and Those That Serve and Have Served This Great Nation ~ Freedom Isn't Free!!

Starr Marshall
Brainerd Sector RC