The Military Police Company C, Headquarters and Service Battalion, 4th MLG, Marines Forces Reserve, Dayton, OH. had spent approximately 10 months away from home, deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. On this cool day, Saturday 14 Oct. 2006, it was time to welcome them home with a display of honor and respect that they wholeheartedly deserve.

As with many homecoming missions the logistics and flow of information can be quick, at the last minute and change at a moments notice. The PGR had made a commitment though, to stand and honor these Marines and welcome them home with class and style. With that said…… that is exactly what transpired…..

The group of 60 plus returning members of Charlie Co. travel itineraries was finally received by the PGR the day before their scheduled return. The stage information was finalized and posted on the PGR web site as a “Short Notice” update, two scheduled arrival groups, 24 Marines at 1630 and 36 Marines at 2300. With the information posted it was time to see how the PGR stepped up….. I had a hunch….. time will tell.

I got to the stage for the first group early, with clearance from the airport to park directly in front of the terminal. I had 3X5’s in the wind on all four corners of my bike. It wasn’t hard to see where our parking spot was. We ended up with 6 bikes and two cages make it in for the first group. Not bad considering a 30 degree start to this cool but sunny Ohio morning.

We sent a group to the gate to meet the first 24 member wave as they exited the jet bridge and also had a flag tunnel set up as they came into the baggage claim area. We even had a surprise appearance by Erik “Ponch” Estrada. He was asked by the Charlie Co. Commander if he had time to welcome his troops home. He gladly accepted, fell in with the PGR flag line, and provided quite a surprise for some. Erik – thank you for your time, it was wonderful to see a celebrity show by example who the real important people are in our society. After all the Marines had came through and you got back to the task of clearing through TSA with a tear rolling down your cheek, it was clear that you did the right thing. 24 Marines welcomed home to U.S. soil – thank you, my friends, Job Well Done.

We now learned of a single member due in at 2130. Change of plans, not a problem, the PGR will be there. The group blasted out for a quick bite to eat. Back to the airport, through security, flags up at the gate. A single marine, the first to exit the plane, sees the flags, stops, smiles from ear to ear. Handed the Marine flag to carry, we escorted him flags up to the baggage claim. He knows he’s home… he knows his nation cares….

The late group of 36 got a tail wind and landed about 20 minutes early. That didn’t disappoint the crowd of family and friends that had assembled in the terminal lobby. As their arrival time approached, even at 2230 hours, the PGR numbers began to grow. Not only additional PGR members but Rolling Thunder and Veterans Brotherhood joined our ranks. At this time of night, our group swells to about 16….. unbelievable….. I’m getting that lump in my throat, here we go again……...

The group of 36 arrived, what a welcome home. To see a soldier hold a child that was born since he deployed, the reunion of sons to their moms and dads, wives and kids. I was so proud of the PGR that came out to show that this great nation is thankful for this generations sacrifice, I can’t even express…..

In the end, it was a very long day but I heard no complaints. Nothing like I should have stayed home and raked the leaves. Nope, all knew this was the right thing to be doing this day.

Thanks must be said to Maj. Rector, Maj. Slack and all from MP Company C for the invitation to honor your returning soldiers. Dayton Intl. Airport, TSA, Delta Airlines, American Airlines – thanks for allowing us to do the right thing. Tim Boone, you are a Patriot brother, thanks. To all the PGR members that came today, I salute you.

Welcome Home Charlie Co. – Job Well Done. Your nation is grateful for what you have volunteered to do. It was my honor to shake your hands….. HOOOAAAAH!!!!!

v/r,

-Mark