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Pics are from top to bottom, click on a pic for a larger pic, text for a pic is under the pic.
We had a welcome home for Sgt Nicholas Busse, were to meet at Oakland airport and escort to Petaluma. I don't normally do the long rides up north, but my friend Rich Martin was RC and I was afraid there would be a minimal turnout for such a long ride.
I had planned on the Pleasonton Vet parade, but felt this young man needed another flag and hug! For those that went to the parade, hope it was as great as usual!
Well, I can't call 'um! This is a shot of a few of the bikes... we had - 32 - bikes show up!!
I was amazed, so was Rich! MANY came from up north and more were going to meet the other side of the San Rafael bridge and join the line... Outstanding! Thank you!
More bikes and more came in after the pics.....
Here is our parking allocation at OAK and PGR thanks the security folks at the local airports for their help in letting us park free at easy to access spots during these missions!
I hold my head in shame, my pics bombed.. but this is what I have! When he got into the line, dad gave him a great big hug!!!! It was great, then he walked the line to claps and cheers!!
More blur.... %&!)(%&!_$)&%!*#)(
Here is why I wanted to post this blog after my terrible pics.
I didn't get this heroes name, but he was a Korean vet and wanted to join our line, and was welcomed with open arms!!! He said, I never got a welcome home, we all said WELCOME HOME!!!! He got hugs and I took one of my Mission Complete metals off my vest and Rich gave it to him! He was pleased and so were we!
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OK, don't go any further - graphic pics... They had soooooo many bikes, and the family had a dozen pounds of pulled pork cooked for sandwiches,, and that to me is 100 to 1 in weight, so I told Rich that I'd do the line and head south.
----------------- horrible pic follows!! -----------------------------
11/1 and I was cranking in 80 deg weather, I cranked 19 miles and took a 1.5 mile route up to 12% grade that took about 25 minutes. 1.5 miles at 5 mph is 18 minutes so I was running 3 - 4 mph cranking up the hill, and it was gorgeous!!!
The risers are "special" they are long and I can sit up straight and comfortable, the pump under the frame has been used many time over the past couple decades. the carry bag behind the seat has a full set of tools, patch kit, trail mix, glasses, spare tube - I've seen them not repairable, asthma inhaler... and MUCH more!And I've use most for other riders. I've stopped by folks with flats and long faces... said, Hey! would you like to fix that!? It made their day and hope they learned and are still cranking! Yes, I've even given my tube to folks that needed it. One time the lady had a 26" wheel and said, it wont fit.. I said watch.... put it in folded it over a bit and pumped it up, it got her home... you get resourceful in a bind!
If you look close at my left eye, there is a little round dot, it's a review mirror called third eye at any bike shop, would not ride without it!!!
Great day and great ride hope it was the same for all! God Bless!
Pics are from top to bottom, click on a pic for a larger pic, text for a pic is under the pic.
PGR was asked to ride in honor of a Fallen Hero, and it was an honor to be there.
All rides are different, in this one, we met at a Park and Ride in Danville, Ca. Roger's ashes were to be delivered for final resting in SJNC (San Joaquin National Cemetery), Gustine, Ca. It was about 100 miles and our RC Rich M did a great job and the traffic was honoring our escort line.
I didn't take any pics at the staging site, sorry, we were busy and it came time to go and I missed a few shots. My first pics are at SJNC.
There is a staging area in front of the office at SJNC where we all lined up.....
More of the line...
I wanted a pic of the RC's scoot and Tom who rode with him up front. Having large flags in front of the escort is desired.
I finally tried to get the entire line...
The flag on the hill is always impressive. At all missions at the three National Cemeteries I've been to, they are at 1/2 mast. I only saw one instance when it was at full mast and that was at GGNC (Golden Gate National Cemetery in San Bruno, Ca), and that was after we escorted a returning group of Marines home at a near by location. I was surprised to see it full up....
They have a nice facility for the visitors.
A nice statue is beside the staging area. The inscriptions reads:
" The Airborne Soldier"
These men have served America with unsurpassed courage and honor. Both war and peace since the beginning of World War II. For many this hallowed ground is their final resting place.
The family and friends came over to visit after the service and wanted a group pic. Well, so did we!!!! GBG (Great Big Grin)!
And a great pic it was, thank you for joining us! I asked the lady of honor, the one that received the flag, if she wanted a pic on a scoot, she was thrilled! I think she is a future rider! 
She picked out this gorgeous (Harley, of course) and she loved it! Looked very pleased!
I think she REALLY liked it! She even liked the owner, on the far right! God Bless Roger's family and friends during this time of passing, please celebrate the life lived.
Pics are from top to bottom, click on a pic for a larger pic, text for a pic is under the pic.
Third wave of Marines coming back from Camp Pendleton to San Bruno and PGR was asked to escort them home, and an Honor it was! Thank you all for your service! God Bless and it's great to see you come home!
I did my normal and staged at 101 and Bailey overpass, got there around 1130. As I pulled up there was a white car sitting, I pulled up by the car and asked if they had come by yet, the lady said no... she thought a second and asked, now why did you think I was waiting for the Marines????!!! Well, the answer was simple, that is why I was there! GBG
There was a CHP car at the far end and I could tell from where he was, he was waiting also as there was no possible radar setup from his location. I chatted with Tracy for a few minutes, got my flag out and on the scoot...
About noon another CHP came up and across the overpass and made a U turn and stopped by us. He said they were about 2 minutes behind him and we could come down where they were going to park and turn on their lights... Sounded good to us!
My flag doesn't do freeway speed, but I left it up as I was just re staging, well, if you ever tried to park on a right bank road, your scoot won't lean over enough.... I had to get my flag down before take off.. that's why I didn't get any pics of the procession, I was trying to hold my bike up, stow the flag and mast and get back on and after them!
We made it! There were quite a few overpasses that had fire engines, well wishers and police waving and saluting us! I popped one right back!
Unlike other rides to San Bruno, these folks did not mess around, they were getting out of the bus and unpacking!
I'm talking quick time!
A view of one line of bikes and this was not all, it was estimated that over one hundred scoots were in the procession! Good on all that came to say a great big THANKS!
The usual fire engines with flags high were at the entrance and family and friends were all waiting and cheering! I love it when they come home, as did everyone there!
Again, not wasting time, the last group took almost 2 hours to form up and march around to the families, and this time they beat feet and did it quick! Good on the OIC for doing this! Everyone appreciated it, I'm sure!
Another pic of the scoots....
They had a banquet room with goodies set up for folks...
The writing on the back of the car on the left, if you click on the pic, says "Welcome back from Iraq! God Bless all and have a great homecoming and enjoy! Thank you for your service!
Pics are from top to bottom, click on a pic for a larger pic, text for a pic is under the pic.
Spec 4 William Sanchez Jr was returning from Iraq and a welcome home was on the books. We've had a lot of rides lately so I thought I'd volunteer to take one and let the ones that ride a lot take a break. Thanks to Panak and others for their help! Moose, thank you very much for the pins! Guess I need to stock up! GBG
We had riders from HOG, ALR, Wild Pigs, Star Touring, Gold Wing Riders, Moose, and I hope I didn't leave anyone out, if so I apologize.
We had 16 folks and 15 bikes with one two up and 2 cages with family.
We staged at our normal place on 1st St.
Rich Martin taking pics and Slick John just pulling in....
Everyone always loves to check out everyone all of the bikes...
We arrive at the parking site at the airport and it is always great the way we are treated by traffic control, they make our jobs sooooo much easier, the cages were allowed to park with us! Thank you Cass!!!
Sis taking pics of the children and they had a nice sign saying Welcome Home!
A bit blurry, but a keeper....
Dad in the middle... all were a real happy group, of course.
Our arriving hero getting some well deserved hugs!
Finally he gets to the flag line and we do the salute and hand shakes...
So off we go, we stage on the 87 on ramp and wait for our 2 cages and down 87 we go, it was a simple route.. my mind must've not liked that idea.. sigh, I'll never know why I took the 280 off ramp, sigh, I even confused me...
But hey! We got to tour Monterey Hiwy, got a lot of showing our bikes and banners, Buzz finally pulled up by me and said he knew where to go and took the lead. Got us back to 87 and got Bill home! I don't have to tell you how much I got hooted up for that little brain gas passer, sigh.
But we made it and it was a fun topic of conversation! I may have to change my nic to Wrong Way! GBG
Of course there was a payment for the escort, I presented the Honor Pin and then the group picture.
The picture taker with my camera got us too quick on the last pic, here I was calling for Dad to get into the pic, and he did, but I didn't get a shot of it.
It was a great ride, and an honor and pleasure to be there. Ya'll give me a call some day when you want to tour San Jose, Ya Hear!!! GBG
