Hello Sgt. Grit,
I wanted to write to you about a home coming the way they all should be done. LCpl Brandon Long and my son, Cpl Justin Smith, went to basic and OSI training together. After OSI they went onto separate paths. My son went to Charlie Fast 5th platoon, and Brandon went into infantry.
December 21st, 2010 Brandon was in Afghanistan on patrol when he stepped on a 40 pound IED. Brandon lost both of his legs, died 4 times, and lost 80% of his blood. He finally was able to returned home to Fort Wayne, Indiana on June 4th, 2011. Brandon was shocked when he arrived off the plane and was greeted by 15 friends and family members at the gate. Imagine his surprise further when we left the security area and was greeted by the American Legion riders and 500 of his closest friends from Fort Wayne he never knew he had. This wasn't including the 300 riders parked across the street waiting on him to ride behind him to Leo Indiana for a welcome home party.
You can go to Fort Wayne Journal Gazette and search Brandon Long to get the news paper coverage and photos! Our parade of bikes, cars, police and fire was 1 to 1.5 miles long. The police blocked traffic for us, and people were lined up all thru town to wave at him with flags etc. Vets were all lined up, cars pulled over saluting him. It made you proud to be a Hoosier, and an American.
Thanks,
Jeff Smith Proud Marine dad