thedrifter
04-30-07, 05:42 AM
Kisses, tears and hugs, motorcycles and wings, too
April 30, 2007
Back with brothers
The Marines of Charlie Company didn't just reunite with their families Sunday; they also reunited with their injured comrades.
Three men who went home early after being hurt in combat met their brothers on the tarmac of Capital City Airport in Lansing.
Lance Cpl. Dakbai Dakbai of Holt had been shot in the leg, shattering the bone.
Lance Cpl. Nick Kroeze of Grand Rapids suffered a broken heel bone, torn tendons and a damaged spleen from an improvised explosive device.
And Lance Cpl. Tony Wieber's thumb was shot off and reattached. Wieber, from Ovid, has had so many surgeries to repair the thumb that he has lost count.
By Amber Hunt
Vroom-vrooming
For months, the motorcycle-riding Patriot Guard has honored Marines killed in combat. On Sunday in Lansing, members were finally able to celebrate.
Dozens of motorcycles followed the Marines police escort from the airport to Pattengill Middle School where anxious families awaited.
Larry Helser, 61, a former Marine, said the gesture was a symbolic welcome home. Helser is the group's ride captain and organized the escort.
"This is where my heart is," said Helser, who wore a nametag that read "Grumpy." "Today's the best day."
By Amber Hunt
A squirmy first meeting
Thirteen-day-old Aryana Ruckman arrived early to meet her uncle, Lance Cpl. Jason Maxwell, for the first time. Her family drove up from New London, Ohio, on Saturday and spent the night at a hotel.
When Maxwell got off the plane, he quickly found his family. But Aryana was nowhere to be found -- her mother, Danielle Maxwell, 24, was changing her diaper.
Aryana slept through most of the excitement, waking up long enough only to take a bottle. After she was changed, Aryana ended up in the arms of her uncle, also of New London, Ohio, for the first time.
She immediately woke up, opened her mouth and covered her pink face with both hands.
"She doesn't look too happy," Jason Maxwell, 22, said as his niece squirmed in his arms.
"Don't worry, she does that with me, too," said his 18-year-old sister, Melanie.
By Dan Cortez
He's the best man
Like all parents of people serving in Iraq, Priscilla and Mike Finkenbiner eagerly awaited their son's return.
Cpl. Chad Finkenbiner, 22, of Temperance hadn't seen his parents in nearly a year, but they told each other during a phone call Saturday that they would see one another Sunday.
"That was really cool," Priscilla Finkenbiner said. "I haven't been able to say that for a while."
But Finkenbiner's parents weren't the only ones awaiting his return. His 20-year-old brother, Eric Finkenbiner, needs his big brother to serve as best man in his wedding planned for June.
"I don't think they would send him home for that," Mike Finkenbiner said. "We were hoping they wouldn't extend this tour."
When his son did step off the plane, Mike Finkenbiner finally had a chance to show the emotion he had kept from his wife while trying to be strong for her.
"This is my son," Mike Finkenbiner said, one of his arms clutched around Chad's neck. "He's mine now. You want him here. At least you can protect them."
By Dan Cortez
Wild Wings moment
Business came to a halt for a few moments Sunday at Buffalo Wild Wings in Mt. Clemens as the staff announced a returning Marine over the loudspeaker to a rousing round of applause.
"Even though you're tired, it's great to see that everyone supports you," said Sgt. Stephen Sequin, 26, of Royal Oak, who gathered with his fiancée, Maria Falcon, and other family and friends. "It's pretty surreal, but it feels great."
His flight with the 1/24th landed about 4:20 p.m. at Selfridge Air National Guard Base and a party awaited him at the bar and restaurant.
Sequin said he'd never forget seeing his supporters awaiting him as the plane taxied toward the throng.
"It's pretty refreshing," he said. "It feels good."
By Ben Schmitt
Getting the party started
The Detroit Pistons dance team -- better known as Automotion -- got in on the returning-Marine action Sunday at Selfridge.
About 16 dancers wearing short shorts and high white boots strutted inside the aircraft hangar, performing to "YMCA" and "Who Let the Dogs Out," before the Marines landed.
"We were contacted and asked if we wanted to come out and support the troops," said dance team director Rebecca Girard. "We think it's really important that we do what we can to support the troops."
The dancers greeted the Marines on the tarmac and autographed pictures during the celebration.
By Ben Schmitt
Ellie
April 30, 2007
Back with brothers
The Marines of Charlie Company didn't just reunite with their families Sunday; they also reunited with their injured comrades.
Three men who went home early after being hurt in combat met their brothers on the tarmac of Capital City Airport in Lansing.
Lance Cpl. Dakbai Dakbai of Holt had been shot in the leg, shattering the bone.
Lance Cpl. Nick Kroeze of Grand Rapids suffered a broken heel bone, torn tendons and a damaged spleen from an improvised explosive device.
And Lance Cpl. Tony Wieber's thumb was shot off and reattached. Wieber, from Ovid, has had so many surgeries to repair the thumb that he has lost count.
By Amber Hunt
Vroom-vrooming
For months, the motorcycle-riding Patriot Guard has honored Marines killed in combat. On Sunday in Lansing, members were finally able to celebrate.
Dozens of motorcycles followed the Marines police escort from the airport to Pattengill Middle School where anxious families awaited.
Larry Helser, 61, a former Marine, said the gesture was a symbolic welcome home. Helser is the group's ride captain and organized the escort.
"This is where my heart is," said Helser, who wore a nametag that read "Grumpy." "Today's the best day."
By Amber Hunt
A squirmy first meeting
Thirteen-day-old Aryana Ruckman arrived early to meet her uncle, Lance Cpl. Jason Maxwell, for the first time. Her family drove up from New London, Ohio, on Saturday and spent the night at a hotel.
When Maxwell got off the plane, he quickly found his family. But Aryana was nowhere to be found -- her mother, Danielle Maxwell, 24, was changing her diaper.
Aryana slept through most of the excitement, waking up long enough only to take a bottle. After she was changed, Aryana ended up in the arms of her uncle, also of New London, Ohio, for the first time.
She immediately woke up, opened her mouth and covered her pink face with both hands.
"She doesn't look too happy," Jason Maxwell, 22, said as his niece squirmed in his arms.
"Don't worry, she does that with me, too," said his 18-year-old sister, Melanie.
By Dan Cortez
He's the best man
Like all parents of people serving in Iraq, Priscilla and Mike Finkenbiner eagerly awaited their son's return.
Cpl. Chad Finkenbiner, 22, of Temperance hadn't seen his parents in nearly a year, but they told each other during a phone call Saturday that they would see one another Sunday.
"That was really cool," Priscilla Finkenbiner said. "I haven't been able to say that for a while."
But Finkenbiner's parents weren't the only ones awaiting his return. His 20-year-old brother, Eric Finkenbiner, needs his big brother to serve as best man in his wedding planned for June.
"I don't think they would send him home for that," Mike Finkenbiner said. "We were hoping they wouldn't extend this tour."
When his son did step off the plane, Mike Finkenbiner finally had a chance to show the emotion he had kept from his wife while trying to be strong for her.
"This is my son," Mike Finkenbiner said, one of his arms clutched around Chad's neck. "He's mine now. You want him here. At least you can protect them."
By Dan Cortez
Wild Wings moment
Business came to a halt for a few moments Sunday at Buffalo Wild Wings in Mt. Clemens as the staff announced a returning Marine over the loudspeaker to a rousing round of applause.
"Even though you're tired, it's great to see that everyone supports you," said Sgt. Stephen Sequin, 26, of Royal Oak, who gathered with his fiancée, Maria Falcon, and other family and friends. "It's pretty surreal, but it feels great."
His flight with the 1/24th landed about 4:20 p.m. at Selfridge Air National Guard Base and a party awaited him at the bar and restaurant.
Sequin said he'd never forget seeing his supporters awaiting him as the plane taxied toward the throng.
"It's pretty refreshing," he said. "It feels good."
By Ben Schmitt
Getting the party started
The Detroit Pistons dance team -- better known as Automotion -- got in on the returning-Marine action Sunday at Selfridge.
About 16 dancers wearing short shorts and high white boots strutted inside the aircraft hangar, performing to "YMCA" and "Who Let the Dogs Out," before the Marines landed.
"We were contacted and asked if we wanted to come out and support the troops," said dance team director Rebecca Girard. "We think it's really important that we do what we can to support the troops."
The dancers greeted the Marines on the tarmac and autographed pictures during the celebration.
By Ben Schmitt
Ellie