The Homecoming Parade When Specialist Martin returned from Afghanistan, he was veiled in a flag. His family were there to greet as they hugged and keened their tears on the oil stained tarmac of the Sandpoint airport. The Patriot Guard Riders, those knights upon their motorbikes, led the honour brigade, protected the motorcade as they slid down Highway 95 to Bonners Ferry, his hometown. Spectators lined the fringes of this two laned mountain encased track, burned by the mid August sun. Some held signs and placards that said: Thank you, Ethan. God Bless You, Martin Family. SPC Martin is our hero. Still others held their hands to their chests, felt their hearts twitch beneath the wrinkled lines of their palms. When the convoy pulled into the funeral home parking lot, the bikers, in their badged leather armour, stood in formation, hands lined across their forward as they saluted him, while his honour guard escorted him from the back of the white hearse, into the shaded solitude of the brick building. At 22, Army Specialist Ethan Martin came home. © 2012 by Nathan Tompkins
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