Warriors' Watch riders welcome home troops for holidays

For the first time in five years, all three of Bob and Melissa Cook's military sons will be home for the holidays.

The Wauconda family welcomed their middle son, Army Spc. Brandon Cook, on Saturday night in a big way: Members of the Warriors' Watch riders joined American Legion members - most on motorcycles - in escorting them home.

"We're so excited," Melissa Cook says. "We won't have much time with them, but at least we'll be together."

Cook is an interrogator with the Army's intelligence department. He will spend the holidays with his family before returning to his base, Fort Sam Houston in Texas.

His younger brother, Joe, came home from Iraq last year after losing the lower part of his left leg, while his older brother, Bobby, remains on active duty and will return to Afghanistan next year.

Emotional welcome home celebrations like this one have increased in recent days across the suburbs, as soldiers returned home for the holidays, and Warriors' Watch riders answered the call.

The Illinois chapter of Warriors' Watch formed in August, and since that time its members say they have participated in more than 50 welcome home escorts, sometimes as many as five in one day.

Holiday escorts, however, take on special meaning, they say.

"Just seeing their faces when they first sees us, knowing that we are total strangers to them, is very emotional," says Jon Dreymann of Algonquin, president of the Illinois state chapter of Warriors' Watch.

"If we can bring them a moment of pride, then all the planning is worthwhile," he adds. "The most commonly heard response we hear is that they don't feel they deserve the recognition, but they are sure glad to know that what they are doing is appreciated.

Riders began their weekend Friday night, when they met up with the bus carrying family members who had traveled to Midway Airport to welcome home 22-year old Marine Cpl. Michael Daniel of Vernon Hills. He is serving his second tour in Iraq, as a tanker.

On Saturday, Warriors' Watch riders also escorted Marine Cpl. Andrew Sprauer from Carol Stream to the VFW Post 2164 in Wheaton for a surprise welcome home celebration after he returned from Afghanistan, and before that, in Iraq.

Some of the other rides that took place include a drive-by salute for Sgt. Ryan Sass at his mother's home in Elk Grove Village, as well as a welcome home celebration for Army Sgt. Ryan Atkinson in Crystal Lake, who completed his 15-month tour in Iraq as a sniper.

Early Sunday morning, they surprised Marine Sgt. Matthew Askren when they showed up at his Naperville home, to escort him to the nearby Springbrook Community Church, where a flag line of supporters had formed to thank him for his service.

Askren has served two tours in Afghanistan, where he received several awards for his bravery and excellence in combat along the Pakistan border.

Tuesday afternoon, riders were scheduled to surprise Staff Sgt. Jed Genatos of the Army's airborne division at the Des Plaines oasis along I-90, and then escort him to his home in Rolling Meadows.

After serving two tours in Iraq, this will be Genatos' first Christmas at home in three years.

Warriors' Watch members even expect to carry out a welcome home escort today, on Christmas Eve. Yet they say they are glad to give up their holidays for these warriors, whom they call heroes.

"I have a son in Iraq," says member Cheryl Riley of Island Lake. "These soldiers need to be thanked. They need to see how much they are supported."

• Find out more about Warriors' Watch, including what rides are scheduled for the future, at warriorswatch.org.