Welcome Home in Sioux Falls

| September 10, 2009

sioux-falls

Rurik sent me the above picture with the following email;

I am the mother of one of the 4 Guardsmen who came home on leave yesterday. I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for the welcome home you provided. My son was in total shock as he got on the escalator and asked “what’s going on down there?” To have the “Welcome to Sioux Falls” sign surrounded by the flags was perfect — what a sight! I’m glad I took pictures before their arrival as I had too many tears in my eyes as it was happening.

Your presence as they left for Ft Hood in April was wonderful, But, for you people to take your time, especially on a holiday, to honor these guys as they arrive home on leave is awesome. As a parent of 2 that are deployed over there right now it’s heartwarming to know that they haven’t been forgotten.

This part of the email came from the Patriot Guard Riders that told the story of the events before the troops arrived;

After putting out this “Welcome Home” mission for 9:00 p.m. on Labor Day and then having to cancel it, just hours before the Soldiers arrived, because they were able to get an earlier flight, we did some scrambling. Even with the “Ultra-short notice” mission change, we mustered ten flag bearers to welcome these four Heroes from Charley Battery, 147th FA. Home for a couple of well desired weeks of R&R.

There were a number of people seated around us in the airport and some asked why we where there. Of course we told them, and when the four Soldiers came down the escalator, everyone around us started applauding and shouting “Welcome Home”. It’s very heartwarming to know that the local people are backing you up.

I don’t know what I could add.

Category: Support the troops

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defendUSA

Outstanding!!

B Woodman

Brings tears of joy.

Adirondack Patriot

What a great post. I’m currently deployed with the Coast Guard (home-based out of Cape Cod) and assigned to CTG 56.5. We, along with the Navy, are working side by side with Col. Chase and the soldiers of the 147 FA. Great Americans. I will pass the word at the D-FAC tonight that Sioux Falls is waiting for their heroes in proper fashion, (and direct them to TAH.)

Steel rain!

TSO

Man, I needed this post this morning, thanks Jonn.

infantryjj

HOOAH! Reminds me of DFW.

usnretwife

I love stories like this first thing in the morning! When my nephew came home on leave from Iraq we all met him at the Sioux Falls airport. We had our signs and high spirits. As people came down the escalator they stopped and stood with the family and helped cheer as he came down. Yeah, we embarrassed him a little, but he got over it. A family there to see their soldier off after his leave helped us cheer and we all shed a tear or two.

1stCavRVN11B

What an outstanding story. Thanks to all Patriot Guard Riders and to Rurik who stands even when he isn’t feeling so well. HOOAH!

gmw

Wow!! I have been through 3 activations and 2 deployments with our son and the Patriot Guard Riders have been there everytime for that and when they come home. They are great and what a testimony to being a great American. As for our men in the service serving with the 147th or anywhere, we are so very proud of you.

Frankly Opinionated

Contrary to what the Dumbocrats say and think- Our troops are “OUR” Troops, and we will do all possible to show them that we are there for them as they’ve been there for us, (at a much greater cost and risk).
Thank you Sioux Falls!
Nuf Sed

Blanka

It’s an absolutely wonderful feeling to know that so many people still support the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines who return from their missions. Great post, guys.

Rurik

Real time update from a participant. I’m the little doofus in the white sweatshirt. This photo was taken of an event on Wednesday night.
Even more more demonstrative was last night. About the same time Jonn was posting this, we got a call for another “welcome home” mission. Our mission captain called and asked me if I could hurry to the airport with 20 flags. Not 15 minutes advance alert, but 15 seconds! Time to boogie!! The trusty cage got me there in about 30 minutes, and upon arrival, I found a taker for every flag. Yes, with NO warning we assembled a delegation of 20 PGR flagbearers. In addition to us, the happy family and the local Legion Post Commander were there – all to greet a single young enlisted soldier. We pretty much filled the hall. When our soldier appeared at the top of the escalator, the whole hall, including other passengers, broke into applause. The Mom was overwhelmed. But as Gary, our mission captain told her “If its a hundred vets or only one, we will be there.” Response time now counted in seconds, not minutes. Seeing the soldier’s grin, and the Mom’s face was my reward. And why I’m going to keep doing this until I’m the involuntary guest of honor at a PGR mission. (And thanks to the VA, that has been postponed.) BTW – for the curious, the big bronze guy in the middle is Joe Foss, M.O.H., USMC. US Air Guard, NRA,
SoDak Governor, etc. A fitting master of ceremonies for our welcomes.