Welcome Home, Austin, TX, 01 MAY 2011

[markwells]

[markwells]

Confirmed Mission Heads Up

The PGR has been invited to help welcome home a US Army soldier returning from his deployment to Afghanistan. Details are forthcoming, but here is what’s known at this time:

Date/Time: Sunday, 01 May 2011. Flight arrival expected at ABIA at 1:55 pm.

Location: Please stand by for staging location and mission details. As usual, information is subject to change and mission details may be short notice.

Ride Captain: Andy Lough, ALough@Austin.rr.com, 512-441-9297

[markwells]

The family of Army Specialist Eric D. Clakley has requested PGR to accompany him home from his tour of duty in Afghanistan on Sunday, 1 May 2011.

Timeline:

1315-1345 hrs: Staging

Location: N. Lamar and Airport Blvd, north east corner on the big parking lot with the trees in the parking medians (6900 Blk Airport, N/B side)
http://www.mapquest.com/#ce8450a8d4a3f42a7ff4cab2

1345 – 1355 hrs: Safety Briefing

1400 hrs – Ride to N. Lamar and St. Johns to apartment house to await arrival

The family will be accompanied from the airport to the apartments by 4 big flag bikes. The flight is scheduled to arrive at 13:55 hrs.

Wx: High of 88, 30% chance of thunderstorms. Both raingear and sunscreen are recommended.

Please arrive fed, fueled and hydrated.

Notes:

SPC Clakley is a Purple Heart recipient, as well as Army Commendation Medal, Good Conduct Medal and NATO Non Article 5 Medal.

Please make plans to welcome home one of our heros!!!

RC Andy "Andyman" Lough
ALough@Austin.rr.com
512-441-9297

Asst. RC and Flag Wrangler
Sam Warren

[markwells]

Quite a good day yesterday as we welcomed home SPC Clakley. His family hadn't told him that PGR was going to be there. All went smoothly at ABIA, 4 Riders parked right out front of the terminal with the family POV behind us. The flight was on time for it's 1355 hrs arrival, SPC Clakley, rucksack on his back, along with his Wife, Mother and Dad were on the curb at 1404. As they stepped out of the terminal and saw the 3 bikes and a trike with Old Glories waving, SPC Clackey dropped the sack, looked at his feet then approached us as we gave a grand ovation! He was almost in tears and could not stop thanking us. Introductions were made and more thank you's exchanged.

A quick call to Sam at off airport staging to let him know we were about to roll and we were off, 3 bikes in front and WW II, Korea and VN Vet Bud Barton riding tailgunner behind the family F-250. We arrived at the apartment complex right around 1430 hrs- unbeknown to any of us what was happening in Pakistan at that very moment. As we rounded the corner we passed through a flagline of 20 PGR and family/ friends that were awaiting us. Bob Binkley, who recently had some pretty serious surgery, and Keith Longacre who took time away from his 29th wedding anniversary were among those who made it.

Again, SPC Clakley was almost in tears, this was pleasant surprise number 2 for him in a very short period of time.

We clapped. We cheered. Sam led a HIP HIP HOORAY chant. As we were talking with the SPC and family, his Mother asked Eric to tell us about how he earned his Purple Heart. He told of having been driving a truck in Afghanistan on 27 Dec., 2010 when an IED with a 450 pound charge exploded under the vehicle, flipping it twice. His LT was the worst off, but all on board were injured. SPC Clakley took shrapnel wounds to the chest and (in his words) his leg was messed up pretty bad. He added, "But I'm WALKING!"

He also mentioned how the U.S. personnel in the war know about the PGR, that they know what we do. He was moved deeply to have received the welcome home that he got.

As weather began rolling in, we said farewells and moved out. All except Bud, anyway. Last we saw, they were all sitting on a stone wall, swinging their legs- smiling and waving.

Yes. 'Twas indeed a good day!

[markwells]

Ya, that was a fun one. I thought it was really great that some of the neighbors came and joined the flag line.

[markwells]

Nice job guys/gals! Sounds like the true meaning of the Patriot Guard and what we do. I was with you in spirit.

Kelly

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