Mission Complete: Operation Welcome Home

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After 22 long months they are finally home. The Minnesota National Guard soldiers from the 1/34th BCT "Red Bulls" have just completed the longest tour by any unit since the beginning of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Over the dates of 23 June and 16-27, 30 July 2007 the Patriot Guard were able to successfully complete 38 welcome home missions including nearly 70 escort groups for more than 2600 soldiers from the Red Bulls.

The task, when initially set forward through discussions with the MN National Guard, was daunting: escort dozens of buses going all different directions all across the state of Minnesota back to where the soldiers would be released to their families, and have flag lines set up at each of those locations as well. The entire mission would be officially known by the National Guard as "Operation Welcome Home" (OWH). Initially there was concern that the logistics just might be too complex, and that the escorts may not be able to be done. We preplanned as much as we could, which mostly involved getting contact information for the right people with the National Guard, and speaking with them about what their plans were. In the end, mostly what we had to do was wait, both for information, and for the troops to start coming back to Minnesota.

After waiting for many months, on Wednesday, 20 June we received word that the first OWH mission would happen on Saturday, 23 June for C Company of the 2/136th Infantry. This would be our "non-practice practice run". What we learned most of all on this first mission was that intel would change rapidly and come with very short notice for these missions, most with less than 48 hours notice of the actual routes and times. We also confirmed something through our Grand Rapids and Duluth sectors that we had suspected: That nothing else would compare to the joy of bringing the Red Bulls home to their families.

Finally, on 10 July, we received word that it was finally underway in earnest. Planes full of Red Bulls were landing at Volk Field and would continue to do so for 8 days. Now the real work would begin: 37 missions in 9 days. Thanks to the effort of dozens of people across the state, and in particular coordination with MSG Ron Smith from the MN National Guard we were able to pull it off with nothing more than a few minor hiccups. All in all, it was a series of missions executed with near flawless precision that went far better than I ever thought possible. Buses were escorted, soldiers greeted with thanks and fanfare befitting their exemplary service to our nation, flags were displayed in their honor, and most importantly, soldiers were reunited with their families after nearly 2 years away.

I want to personally thank everyone who participated in Operation Welcome Home from our organization. The hard work and dedication of many came together to give the Red Bulls a welcome home they will remember forever.

In particular I want to thank Dave Woodward for helping to coordinate some very complex escort missions to the Northern half of Greater Minnesota. He did all this all while waiting for his own son, SSG Randy Woodward, to return with A Company of the 2/136th to Detroit Lakes. He then continued to work hard on the rest of the missions after Randy returned home. Dave, we could not have gotten this done without your help.

I also want to recognize two members of our leadership team here in Minnesota who too often does not get our thanks: first, Phil "The Man" Pesheck, our state Law Enforcement Liaison. Phil busted his hump to get us some LEO escorts on several of these missions with great success, in addition to making himself available to lead several of the escort rides himself. He does this routinely for missions all over the state with little or no recognition, and I want to thank him for that effort now.

Second, another man who has worked very hard "behind the scenes" is Tim Leonhardt. Tim is responsible for all of the updates, photos, etc on the Minnesota website, as well as getting the statewide e-mails sent out. Tim was an absolute wizard at getting updates posted; many in a matter of minutes after he received them. Tim also found time to lead several escort rides and man the flag line on several other days. Thanks to the effective communications we get from Tim we were able to turn out more members across the state then I would have thought possible. Thank you Tim.

Without dragging this on forever, here are all of the folks who stepped up to help me lead escort groups or get things set up at the return points, thank you to each and every one of you who helped to make this happen:

Don Adamson, Don Anderson, Jeff Anderson, Larry Bahr, Doug Bley, Dave Brimer, John Comer, JD Daher, Roger & Louise Danielson, Al DeKruif, Ken Delano, Jeff Good, Mike Hangaard, Dave & Alena Hunter, Larry Hynding, Diane Kinney, Larry Krautkremer, Tim & Laurie Leonhardt, Ron Mackedanz, Starr Marshall, Jay Maxey, Monica Mead, Gary Metcalf, Lori & Andy Musolf, Gary Modlin, Den Padora, Phil Pesheck, Pete Prudhomme, Paul Ramsbey, John Redfield, Ron Reineke, Chuck Reynolds, Karla Richardson, Keith Schaefer, Regan Smith, Tim & Anne Snyder, John Stolte, Greg Studer, John Thompson, Craig Ugland, Dave Winkler, George Winslow, & Dave Woodward.

I know I am probably forgetting a few people, and I apologize to anyone I missed. Thanks also to the members from Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin who came over and supported these missions as well.

In closing, I have never been so proud to be a member of this organization. Together we accomplished something great these past two weeks, something that many of the people we care so much about, our troops and their families, will remember for a lifetime. It has been an honor, a privilege, and a joy to serve as the coordinator for this great mission.

God Bless you all, and God Bless the Red Bulls.

Mission Complete.

Respectfully Submitted,
--
Nate "Birdie" Zenker
Southeast Metro Ride Captain
Minnesota Membership Coordinator
Coordinator - Red Bull Welcome Home
Member - Red Knights MC, MN 4

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