Tony "DOC" Koop is Home! 17 Feb 08

Our day started with sunshine and blue sky! That was at eight in the morning though! By afternoon it was snowing and blowing again. We planned to meet at the Legion in Ironton at 1400 to decorate so I picked up Bill and my son Nick came with us. After a couple stops in Brainerd (a DVD and some balloons) we arrived at the Legion. We were only there about 5 minutes before Sheila Reem and Shannon showed up to help (They also brought about about 1000 cookies and cupcakes, and I don't think I am exaggerating!). Then Roger and Louise got there, and we got Roger into twisting up some crepe paper and hanging it around the tables. He did a most excellent job too! The Bluestar moms came with more cookies and cakes, and helped set up too.

By 1500 we were done and relaxing, watching a DVD I was given by the last WIA we welcomed home. He made it in Iraq and said it was all right for me to share it. We were just getting ready for the briefing when one of "Doc's" cousins came in and said that Doc was on his way with his family.

I asked someone to call his dad because his dad and mom were bringing him, supposed to be at 1600. Then I got everyone on the street on the line. Then they came out and said that they guessed they were bringing them at 1600! We took the line down and went back inside because it was REALLY windy and cold and snowing. Fifteen minutes later we went back out and re-assembled the line. About 10 minutes later they came down the road with police and fire truck escort. We all cheered when "Doc" got out and I went over and hugged him and welcomed him home.

We all went in and after everyone was in the room, I had the Brainerd leadership come up and we made a presentation of the check from the PG, a quilt from Quilts of Valor, a poem/writing that Fritz had written and framed, and a poem from Sheila Reem's mom. Everyone hung around for two hours and we cleaned up and left.

All together we had 32 people on the line. 29 from Brainerd (one on her first event, welcome Theresa!), Karla (DL RC), and one person from the public. I would say about 40 relatives and friends came to honor him. It feels great to know that "Doc" is home for good and that we were in a position to honor him. It was wonderful meeting his mom and dad. Unfortunately, it was not a surprise, as we had intended it. Doc was in a wedding in Detroit Lakes and would not have been home if they wouldn't have told him. It didn't matter, we were still honored to be there.

I want to thank my leadership team, you are all just awesome and you always put in the extra it takes to keep us an involved and organized sector. I also want to thank Karla for coming over, you committment to our troops is beyond measure and I am proud to stand with you. The Bluestar moms are always a welcome sight (they stood with smaller flags, which was way cool! So thanks to them.) And to the American Legion for donating the hall and the coffee! Everyone was so nice and helpful. BRAINERD SECTOR: YOU ROCK!!! Thank you!

Doc will be sending out his own thank yous but he did want me to let you all know how much he appreciated us being there. For those of you who don't know, Doc joined last year, while he was still recovering. He was met in Colorado by Patriot Guard and it impressed him enough to join. I just wanted to share that because it is evidence of the good that we do. You should all be proud! I am, as always, proud to have stood with you.

There will be more pictures but for now we just have the three. Doc is the guy in the black cowboy hat!

WELCOME HOME DOC!!!!! And don't worry, it is only 32 DAYS TIL SPRING!!! We'll get that bike out of storage and fire it up!

GOD BLESS YOU!

(@) A thank you from Anthony "Doc" Koop

(@) Pictures from mission

(@) Pictures from mission

(@) Pictures from mission

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Click on Shutterfly Logo above for pics of Doc Koop Welcome home(17 Feb 08) and Brainerd Sector Meet & Greet(16 Feb 08)

Starr Marshall
Brainerd Sector RC
MN Patriot Guard Riders