Dave Brimer, Alexandria sector

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Dear PGR Members,

A HUGE and heartfelt thank you to all who participated in the Alexandria, and Fergus Falls welcome homes. I know that some of you were not able to stand in the Flag lines, or ride in the escorts because of that nasty beast called a "job", but were there with us in Spirit anyway.

The welcome homes went off without a hitch, thanks to the tireless hours that Dave Woodward, Birdie, and many others put into scheduling all this across our GREAT State.

I have only heard about the Alex homecomings, but from what I understand they were very similar to the Fergus events. Friday the Osakis FD escorted the Alex group into town from the rest area on I-94, and from what we could see as we passed on I-94, it was a great start to a long joyful procession though town.

From the Dalton rest area to Fergus Falls we had the Otter tail County Sheriff's dept. escort our procession down I-94, closing both lanes as we made the last leg of our escort into Fergus. When we entered town , we had FFPD, a NG Hummer and many more join the escort through town to the High School. Both days we had Thousands of people lining the streets to the downtown area. When we got "downtown", it was wall to wall people with most waving Flags, man I couldn't hardly hear my bike running, and it's not very quiet LOL.. When we got to the school, you couldn't hardly see the parking lot for all the people. It was AWESOME to see all the support for our Soldiers! There was huge "Perkins" type Flags flying in at least 3 different locations on our ride into town also, being flown from cranes and boom trucks. The FFFD had all their trucks parked along the street next to the School also. When we entered the Gymnasium, Lars had everything well under control, with Flag lines along the stairways that the Soldiers were to pass down on their way to their final formation of this Very LONG deployment. We continued our escort by leading the Soldiers down the stairs to their final formation area. It was a very short presentation, Lt. Casey and SFC Sjostrom transferred the Battle Flag, and then Lt. Casey said just a (very) few words, and dismissed the Troops. I thought it was loud in there before, WOW, I think that my ears are STILL ringing. It's great to have all the Soldiers home again (including my Son Mike) safe and sound!

Friday was pretty much a repeat of Sunday, with just a few less people that probably had to be working. I saw MANY businesses that sent there employies outside and shut down while the escort went though, it was just GREAT.

I've never seen so much huggin and kissin, laughin and cryin and carryin on in my LIFE. It was truly awesome to see, and to be a part of, even if it did take 22 months to happen.

A special Thank You to Larry "Lars" Bahr for RCing the Flag Line both days, and to Monica for riding all the way from the border, to honor our local Soldiers and Families. To SFC Mark Sjostrom, and Sharon Casey without whom this would hardly have been possible. To the countless others that made our Homecomings such a HUGE success, I Salute you all, and Thank You. To the returning Soldiers a VERY HUGE Thank You, and SALUTE, for doing your part to keep our country safe and strong. We are forever in your debt.

Dave

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Dave Brimer
Alexandria sector
ARC/HOTH
Fergus Falls VA Home
HOTH
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