Josh is home

As the Hanson Family walked into Hector Airport tonight Bob said it felt humid. The row of American flags hung limp. Then the cold front, the thunderstorm and the wind moved in. Josh's flight was going to be delayed by forty-five minutes. Family and friends sat and stood around in the stuffy Hector Airport Boardroom. Outside as the raindrops fell, and the lightning flashed over a hundred Patriot Guard Riders hunkered down by their bikes on the south end of long term parking. Bob walked out across both parking lots, greeted and thanked each and every Patriot Guard. The Ride Captain turned out to be Don Anderson, who lives in Doc Albright's house on Cross Point Road. Three of the Guards had served with Josh. All those Bob talked to were astounded that the father of the soldier would come out to talk to them. Some, though not all, were at a loss for words. It was therapeutic for both parties.

The tarmac experience was surreal. Josh's flag covered coffin came slowly down the baggage conveyor belt by itself into the hands of six soldiers, just as lightning flashed in the thunderheads behind him. That reminded me of the flash of light from the exploding IED that took Josh's life eight days ago somewhere between Ramadi and Fallujah, far, far away from Fargo.

The ride home was amazing. Never before had we seen so much law enforcement. At every intersection a police officer saluted as he held back traffic. People came out all along the sixty-five mile route. Fire trucks, ambulances, pickups parked on township roads with lights flashing. The Stars and Stripes everywhere.

Then the Homecoming to Joshua's National Guard Unit at the Armory in Detroit Lakes. National Guardsmen lining the sidewalk. The singing of America the Beautiful under the full moon.

What can one say about the Hero's Welcome 56572 gave Josh Hanson tonight at 11:00 p.m.? Just before driving into Pelican Rapids, Bob and Kathy called KRCQ to thank the station, those who had called in and those along the escort route. What he saw coming down the hill was not something Bob and Kathy had expected. It was as if the entire town had come out to welcome Josh home.

The war in Iraq now has a face. A face many of us knew well, a local face. 56572 did itself proud tonight. People here do still care, don't kid yourself.

What will Saturday be like? People have been told to plan for 2,000. After tonight, I'm thinking that might be conservative.