Topic: Welcoming Home Our Marines, NorCal Style! (Read 6095 times)

erniezap · « **on:** October 01, 2009, 08:56:32 PM »

First of all, I have to say that NorCal came through (again). Buzz, my friend and the father of one of the Marines coming home today, asked me pass on one more thank you. Jim, He was very surprised that you closed your shop today to show support. Chris, for getting up at O dark thirty and coming down from Sausalito. I would like to pass along my thanks as well, and it is a testament to the quality of the members of this site!

Now on to the ride. About 30 bikes or so met at Buzz's house, then headed about 85 miles southeast to a truck stop in Santa Nella to wait for the 2 busload of Marines. There we met up with the Patriot Guard Riders, gassed up, and had some breakfast. We then escorted the 85 or so Marines about 110 miles to their base in San Bruno, picking up additional riders along the route. By the time we got to the base, there was well over 100 bikes escorting our heroes! To make things even better, all of the local Police and Fire Departments were on the overpasses saluting as we went by!

After our soldiers got together with their families, we then escorted my friend's son back to San Jose to their house.

To top it off, ABC News was at the base and followed us back to San Jose, where they interviewed Buzz, his wife Anita, and Buzz Jr. It will be on tonight's local news!

What a great day!!!

erniezap · « **Reply #1 on:** October 01, 2009, 09:04:04 PM »

At the Truck Stop in Santa Nella. Chris, that bike is pretty.

erniezap · « **Reply #2 on:** October 01, 2009, 09:04:35 PM »

Staging and getting ready for the busses

erniezap · « **Reply #3 on:** October 01, 2009, 09:09:30 PM »

Had both Police and Sheriff helping keep the cars away from us...

erniezap · « **Reply #4 on:** October 01, 2009, 09:10:12 PM »

From a wanted poster at the Truck Stop!

erniezap · « **Reply #5 on:** October 01, 2009, 09:12:27 PM »

The sweep truck flying the American, Marine Corp, and California flags.

erniezap · « **Reply #6 on:** October 01, 2009, 09:13:18 PM »

Heading down 152

jonga · « **Reply #7 on:** October 01, 2009, 09:13:35 PM »

Good Deal Ernie, we need to give these Heros all our support. Wish I could have been there. I take my hat off to all that did and the soldiers they welcomed home.....

Jon

erniezap · « **Reply #8 on:** October 01, 2009, 09:14:24 PM »

The other direction. As you can see, quite a few bikes!

erniezap · « **Reply #9 on:** October 01, 2009, 09:16:33 PM »

CalFire along 152

erniezap · « **Reply #10 on:** October 01, 2009, 09:18:17 PM »

Now in Gilroy

erniezap · « **Reply #11 on:** October 01, 2009, 09:21:56 PM »

The Highway Patrol closed down Hwy 101 Northbound so we could all get on the Freeway safely! That's Jim (HD-Dude) & Chris (RidinRuby) in front of me.

erniezap · « **Reply #12 on:** October 01, 2009, 09:24:02 PM »

Local Fire Departments lined the overpasses, saluting the busses as they went by. This was in Morgan Hill.

erniezap · « **Reply #13 on:** October 01, 2009, 09:24:49 PM »

Heading up 101 in Morgan Hill

erniezap · « **Reply #14 on:** October 01, 2009, 09:26:05 PM »

Santa Clara FD on 101

erniezap · « **Reply #15 on:** October 01, 2009, 09:26:51 PM »

Menlo Park FD

erniezap · « **Reply #16 on:** October 01, 2009, 09:27:48 PM »

Passing the busses so we could salute our heroes!

erniezap · « **Reply #17 on:** October 01, 2009, 09:29:10 PM »

One of the Patriot Guard Riders in San Mateo. Damn it looks great seeing all of those American Flags flying!

erniezap · « **Reply #18 on:** October 01, 2009, 09:30:15 PM »

Traffic got a little heavy as we neared SFO. Hi Chris!

erniezap · « **Reply #19 on:** October 01, 2009, 09:31:25 PM »

Arriving at the base

erniezap · « **Reply #20 on:** October 01, 2009, 09:32:09 PM »

Every soldier should get a welcome like this!

erniezap · « **Reply #21 on:** October 01, 2009, 09:34:09 PM »

Some PGR folk awaiting our arrival

erniezap · « **Reply #22 on:** October 01, 2009, 09:34:51 PM »

Rolling under the ladders

erniezap · « **Reply #23 on:** October 01, 2009, 09:35:51 PM »

Andy & Sherry on the base

erniezap · « **Reply #24 on:** October 01, 2009, 09:37:26 PM »

Buzz Jr and his parents being interviewed by ABC News

erniezap · « **Reply #25 on:** October 01, 2009, 09:38:02 PM »

Buzz Sr. being interviewed

erniezap · « **Reply #26 on:** October 01, 2009, 09:39:22 PM »

After leaving the base and escorting Buzz home, we found the San Jose FD waiting to say thank you!

erniezap · « **Reply #27 on:** October 01, 2009, 09:40:23 PM »

Even Moto-Michael was there sporting his new shirt from Street Vibes!

erniezap · « **Reply #28 on:** October 01, 2009, 09:41:42 PM »

ABC News followed us and did another interview at the house

erniezap · « **Reply #29 on:** October 01, 2009, 09:42:23 PM »

Steve D was there to negotiate TV rights

erniezap · « **Reply #30 on:** October 01, 2009, 09:44:17 PM »

Well, those were the highlights. If you get a change to do something similar, don't miss it. Our soldiers deserve it, and you will have a memory that lasts a lifetime!

Welcome Home Buzz Jr.

erniezap · « **Reply #31 on:** October 01, 2009, 09:51:59 PM »

Article from the ABC News website

http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news/local/south_bay&id=7043966

hd-dude · « **Reply #32 on:** October 01, 2009, 10:05:34 PM »

It was an Honor and privilege to be there today. Closing the shop for the day was NOTHING compared to what these brave men did and continue to do for us so that we can be free.

Welcome Home Buzz Jr.!

Jock · « **Reply #33 on:** October 01, 2009, 10:11:14 PM »

One phrase for all of you that have served or serving...Thank You For Your Service To Our Country...Now and Forever!

erniezap · « **Reply #34 on:** October 01, 2009, 10:26:00 PM »

The video

http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/video?id=7043984

Rooster · « **Reply #35 on:** October 01, 2009, 11:33:42 PM »

Very cool you guys could do this. Just think how proud this young man felt to have all of you show up and ride for him. Good job you guys just wish we could have been there.

erniezap · « **Reply #36 on:** October 02, 2009, 12:25:19 AM »

Talking to him, he was blown away. He said that the rest of the guys couldn't believe the welcome. He thought that it would be our "typical" San Jose crew of about a dozen bikes, not 100+. Makes it all worthwhile!

erniezap · « **Reply #37 on:** October 02, 2009, 12:33:10 AM »

erniezap · « **Reply #38 on:** October 02, 2009, 12:33:33 AM »

Senior & Junior

Fired00d · « **Reply #39 on:** October 02, 2009, 07:08:11 AM »

Semper Fi!!!! Welcome home Buzz!!!

Ride Safe,
Fired00d

sgchick · « **Reply #40 on:** October 02, 2009, 07:16:14 AM »

What a fantastic homecoming for all these guys! That's the way it should be for every homecoming! Ernie..you really made it extra special for this particular group!! Great pics!!

RidinRuby · « **Reply #41 on:** October 02, 2009, 10:18:54 AM »

I have to say it was an honor and a privilege to escort these marines home

Here are Ernie and Kimberly who helped organize this event

RidinRuby · « **Reply #42 on:** October 02, 2009, 10:22:56 AM »

The scoots in front of the Buzz residence

RidinRuby · « **Reply #43 on:** October 02, 2009, 10:24:44 AM »

At the San Bruno Marine HQ

RidinRuby · « **Reply #44 on:** October 02, 2009, 10:27:23 AM »

More at the HQ.
Sorry for the lack of photos, but my photoghrapher was busy and couldn't make the ride

9 1/2 Beers · « **Reply #45 on:** October 02, 2009, 10:30:09 AM »

Quote from: RidinRuby on October 02, 2009, 10:18:54 AM

I have to say it was an honor and a privilege to escort these marines home

Here are Ernie and Kimberly who helped organize this event

It is an honor to know you guys

Marty

BANDANAGIRL · « **Reply #46 on:** October 02, 2009, 11:50:23 AM »

Wow!
What a great welcoming home for these Marines.

Trapperdog · « **Reply #47 on:** October 02, 2009, 03:37:22 PM »

Great job guys!

Wish we could have made it

erniezap · « **Reply #48 on:** October 05, 2009, 07:23:43 PM »

More pictures of the day. These were taken by Tammy Applegate, Mind's Eye Photography, Copyright 2009

http://gallery.me.com/mindseyephoto#100639

Sean M Cary · « **Reply #49 on:** October 05, 2009, 07:32:48 PM »

Good to go, thanks for doing this...

erniezap · « **Reply #50 on:** October 05, 2009, 07:37:57 PM »

Quote from: Florida Marine on October 05, 2009, 07:32:48 PM

Good to go, thanks for doing this...

It's an honor and a pleasure! Our servicemen and women deserve the thanks!

JoMo · « **Reply #51 on:** October 05, 2009, 09:28:58 PM »

Everything that we can do for our service men and women to let them know how grateful we are should be done.
I only wish that I could have been there with all of you nice job

Jo Mo NYC