LCpl Mark McAnany, Unites States Marine Corps,

18 PGR members congregated on the dark country road in front of the McAnany residence, did I mention that is was dark? With the absence of street lights and moon we couldn’t see each other from five feet away, so everyone received a glow in the dark bracelet. Some wore it on their wrist and some on their vest, but at least we could all see where everyone was.

We had two new members (Jim and Mary) that were from West Virginia at the mission, but only had to drive back to Maple Grove after the mission, Whew…

While we waited outside the unoccupied home of the McAnany’s I received instructions from Nancy, Marks mom. She told me that they had left the garage open and to help ourselves to the water, pop, and beer in the coolers while we waited. But the crew was just having too much fun playing on the road in the dark.

About ten minutes out the call came to us. One of the McAnany neighbors had set up a light that lit up the road and McAnany’s driveway. The flagline got in place, along the road and up the McAnany driveway.

Shortly after we lined up, Mark and his family arrived. As the car past we all followed up the driveway and each of us shook the young Marine’s hand. Mark was supprized to see so many people there to welcome him home, he didn’t know anything about it until he came down the road and saw his home lit up in the dark and lined with PGR holding flags.

Mark thought the 48 degree weather was really cold after being in heat from Afghanistan. Nancy (Marks Mom) invited us in for chili and something to drink, about half the group did. Jim (Big-un) and John who are Marine’s themselves took the opportunity to jokingly harass the young Marine. I think the McAnany family expected all of the PGR to stay because she had made two big pots of chili and lots of pop and beer put out for the welcome home of her son.

Tim Leonhardt