Huge GRINS all around. This Mission started with Puddles telling me a couple of MONTHS ago about Michael coming home and we started planning. We thought, wouldn't it be great if we could get 30-40 of our good friends to support Michael's Homecoming? The Heart Breaking Missions continued and Puddles was always right there riding for other Moms and Dads who were getting their Sons returned. Many times I would look over and wonder what was going on in her mind as we rode these missions together. It has to be hard.

Finally it became time to start preparing for her WELCOME HOME for Michael and I could see the joy in her face every time we discussed the prep. After many discarded plans and unplanned changes the day came. I had received a couple of e-mails asking if I could meet a group of riders at 59 & 1960 and lead them into the staging area. Said they were bringing 40-50 riders....SURE. Spanky and I rode over to get them and there were 47 bikes sitting there......GULP! As we led them to the staging area I'm thinking maybe we'll have 100. That's great! As we pulled into the staging area we followed about 6 bikes and then saw another 40 or so bikes staged. OOPS. It was 30 minutes prior to when staging was to begin. We got sorted out and staged and then some more rode in......then some MORE rode in ....THEN SOME MORE RODE IN AND THEY JUST KEPT COMING. When all was said and done we had between 276 and 294 bikes staged and 5 vehicles. WOW!!

There was a lot of visiting done between old friends, new friends and it was a good thing to see. There were independents, patch clubs and colors from all over the area and ALL were there for one thing....HONORING SPC MICHAEL DOKE and his Mom PUDDLES. ok, Karen! It was great to see everyone mingling and just visiting. There was a lot of Chrome and a lot of slowing traffic going down Lake Houston Parkway.

As the time drew near myself, Mac, Flags and Gayle and John-Henry and Harley Girl road out to meet Puddles and her family. When they rounded the corner onto Lake Houston Parkway there were 6 bikes there to great them. Flags led the group with the USA and Blue Star Mom Flags flying on his bike. We led them down Lake Houston Pkwy to the staging area and as we rounded the curve there were vehicles staged on the road and then the bikes and more bike and more bikes. The line had to be over a mile long. Everyone waving and honking as the family passed to get up front. After the procession started rolling we passed a large group of Blue Star Moms who had come out to pay their respects and they had a lot of people who had just seen the goings on and asked what was up. When they learned they were welcoming home a Trooper they parked and joined them.

We proceeded to Beltway 8 and there was another 25-35 bikes waiting to join us. This was one long Welcome Home Procession. When we arrived at the American Legion Hall (Post 644) they were ready. When they first head about then Diana and her pals jumped on the band wagon and arranged for food, live entertainment and good times for everyone. THANK YOU POST 644. Well done.

After getting parked, there were several presentations made, too many to go into detail but one really struck my heart. Marie Rosales Salgato who's Son, Benji, was killed in action last October and we had a Mission for him. Maria has been active in the PGR ever since. Maria presented a Rosary to Michael that had been made for her son but she had not been able to give to him. This was a VERY SPECIAL GIFT to Michael and touched us all very deeply. Thank you Maria.

The American Legion also made some presentations and Puddles was able to give Michael his "Signed" PGR flag to take back with him.

This day was full of tears of Joy and was a HEALING DAY for many of us. I know it was for me.....(Ride Report written by Boomer)