thedrifter
10-16-07, 06:43 AM
Patriot Guard surprises Palatine Marine
Flags line road to Des Plaines Oasis as family, friends wait to welcome him home
By Sara Faiwell | Daily Herald Staff
He thought they were stopping at the Des Plaines Oasis for food.
But as Lance Cpl. Jeff Francis pulled in, flags lined the road and about 20 Patriot Guard Riders stood waiting.
As the 23-year-old climbed out of the SUV, he was immediately thanked for his service in Iraq with the Marines.
And thanked.
And thanked.
And thanked.
The Palatine High School graduate is home on a three-week leave after spending seven months in Iraq. He flew Monday morning into O'Hare International Airport from California.
"I'm surprised," he proclaimed at the oasis. "You got me."
From there, he was escorted on I-90 and Route 53 by a pack of motorcycles and the Palatine police.
As the entourage entered Palatine, everyone honked their horns. People on the street stopped to stare, and some waved.
Neighbors on Francis' block tied yellow ribbons on all the trees, and a giant "Welcome Home" sign hung above the driveway.
"This is the way it should be," said his mom, Liz.
She arranged for the Patriot Guard ride by contacting the group. Such rides are usually done as surprises.
In northern Illinois, at least one ride is done every week by members of the grassroots patriot group. Many of the motorcyclists are veterans or have children in the service.
"We do this just to make sure they know the family, friends and community are behind the Marine," said Gary Bogolin, a senior ride captain with the group.
He's participated in 65 missions -- half of which have been funerals. He has no ties to the military.
"I do this because it's the right thing to do," said Bogolin, of Woodstock.
Francis graduated from Palatine High School in 2003 and played football there. He attended Harper College for a year before enlisting in the Marines.
"I can't believe this," said his grandmother Phyllis Lynch of southern Indiana. "This is just too awesome. We are so glad to have him home safe and sound."
Back at his home, more friends and family surprised Francis in the front yard. Coolers of beer already were set out to start the homecoming party.
"It's a good thing," said Francis, who doesn't yet know if he'll be redeployed to Iraq. "You don't always know about how people feel about what we're doing."
When asked what he's most looking forward about being home, the answer was simple: "I got it already."
Ellie
Flags line road to Des Plaines Oasis as family, friends wait to welcome him home
By Sara Faiwell | Daily Herald Staff
He thought they were stopping at the Des Plaines Oasis for food.
But as Lance Cpl. Jeff Francis pulled in, flags lined the road and about 20 Patriot Guard Riders stood waiting.
As the 23-year-old climbed out of the SUV, he was immediately thanked for his service in Iraq with the Marines.
And thanked.
And thanked.
And thanked.
The Palatine High School graduate is home on a three-week leave after spending seven months in Iraq. He flew Monday morning into O'Hare International Airport from California.
"I'm surprised," he proclaimed at the oasis. "You got me."
From there, he was escorted on I-90 and Route 53 by a pack of motorcycles and the Palatine police.
As the entourage entered Palatine, everyone honked their horns. People on the street stopped to stare, and some waved.
Neighbors on Francis' block tied yellow ribbons on all the trees, and a giant "Welcome Home" sign hung above the driveway.
"This is the way it should be," said his mom, Liz.
She arranged for the Patriot Guard ride by contacting the group. Such rides are usually done as surprises.
In northern Illinois, at least one ride is done every week by members of the grassroots patriot group. Many of the motorcyclists are veterans or have children in the service.
"We do this just to make sure they know the family, friends and community are behind the Marine," said Gary Bogolin, a senior ride captain with the group.
He's participated in 65 missions -- half of which have been funerals. He has no ties to the military.
"I do this because it's the right thing to do," said Bogolin, of Woodstock.
Francis graduated from Palatine High School in 2003 and played football there. He attended Harper College for a year before enlisting in the Marines.
"I can't believe this," said his grandmother Phyllis Lynch of southern Indiana. "This is just too awesome. We are so glad to have him home safe and sound."
Back at his home, more friends and family surprised Francis in the front yard. Coolers of beer already were set out to start the homecoming party.
"It's a good thing," said Francis, who doesn't yet know if he'll be redeployed to Iraq. "You don't always know about how people feel about what we're doing."
When asked what he's most looking forward about being home, the answer was simple: "I got it already."
Ellie