Letter: It's an honor to welcome soldiers

Dear Editor:

My husband and I are very patriotic, and are so passionate about it. It is hard not to well up over patriotic topics.

Though my husband and I have never been in the military, we have family and friends that served or are now serving. We honor our fallen heroes and our soldiers active in the service.

We belong to the Patriot Guard Riders, and I have been on three missions. We stand holding our American flag in showing our respect for our fallen hero when they arrive home. There is nothing more gratifying than to show our respect to the families.

It warms my heart when a family member or another soldier comes and shakes my hand in gratitude of me being there. I have stood in freezing rain for two hours holding my flag to show respect. In my eyes, it is nothing compared to what our fallen hero did for our country and us. I will gladly stand there.

Just this year on New Year’s Eve, I had the honor to welcome home soldiers from the Montana Army National Guard’s 639th Quartermaster Company. They arrived with yellow ribbons lining the streets and a fireworks display. Along with their loved ones waiting for them to unload the bus, my husband and myself were there as well, standing at attention holding our flags.

The snow was falling, and it was dark when they arrived a couple minutes after the stroke of midnight. It was the most rewarding, “Happy New Year” I have ever had, and once again, the soldiers were so grateful to see us there, as they smiled, and shook our hands.

Susi Walters

Troy