A Soldier’s Homecoming

{sidebar id=1}It was 4:30 PM and David Pienta was just leaving work to meet the rest of the Patriot Guard Riders who had volunteered their time to greet one of Wakulla’s heroes returning home from Iraq.

As David drove across town, his phone rang.  It was Luther, Tommy Hendry’s stepfather, informing David that Tommy’s flight was delayed.  This was good news since his flight time had been pushed up by about 45 minutes and both the Patriot Guard and everyone in Crawfordville were not anticipating his arrival until 6:15 in Crawfordville.  Fifteen minutes later the news got worse, his flight had been cancelled.

The Patriot Guard Riders had 10 riders awaiting word on the status of the welcome ride.  Thirty minutes later another phone call came.  The news was good and bad.  He was still coming in, but now his flight was landing at 10:00 PM.  A few riders could not stay.  However, 6 riders were determined not to let this soldier come home without a proper welcome.

Riders came from throughout the Big Bend area and South Georgia to welcome Tommy home.  One rode from Cairo, GA; one came from St. Marks, Tallahassee.  David Pienta, a Wakulla county resident who helped to organize the Guard's participation, commented, "It was awesome.  Our mission is simple – to ride in honor of those that have served and those that continue to serve.  We just want the veterans and current service members to know how much we appreciate them and their families.”

The Patriot Guard Riders decided to go to the airport as planned at 5:30 PM, relax and wait for Tommy to come home.

Tommy arrived as the Patriot Guard formed a flag line in the baggage claim area.  But Tommy’s homecoming ‘adventure’ did not end there.  The airline did not get his bag on the flight to Tallahassee.  After some paperwork, Tommy and his family thanked the Patriot Guard Riders for coming out.  Then Tommy got a surprise.  A company had donated the use of its limousine and driver to take Tommy home and the Patriot Guard would lead the way.

The Patriot Guard Riders fired up motorcycles decorated with American flags, Patriot Guard flags, and other insignia.  David’s decorated truck led the motorcade.  Emergency flashers were switched on and away they went.  Tommy was surprised again when the Wakulla County Sheriff’s department greeted the motorcade at Springhill Rd. and Hwy 267.

Lights flashed and sirens blared.  Cars pulled over for the motorcade as if the President of the United States had come to visit.  To everyone’s amazement, there was a large group of people on the corner of Wakulla Aaron Rd. holding signs and waving flags to greet Tommy as he went by.

An emotional David Pienta said “this is how every soldier should come home.  I remember my dad coming home from Desert Storm to a big homecoming and it is a feeling that I and every military family that has experienced it will never forget.”

If you know of any other homecomings, please contact Wakulla.com so we can show our soldier how much we appreciate them!

Welcome home SSgt. Tommy Henry!

For more information on the Patriot Guard (including on how you can join) go to www.patriotguard.org

- Submitted by David Pienta 

This article originally published on December 19, 2007.

Written by :

mkwestmark

 

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