A Welcome Home Not of His Choosing

I know this isn’t how

He saw himself coming home

Nor did those

Who worried about him

Who loved him

Who worried about his night and day

But I can’t help but believe

He would have been proud

As the flashing lights

From motorcycle after motorcycle

Went by

Dozens and dozens of them

From police departments from all over

This part of Texas

Followed by firetrucks

One after another

Then ambulances

All with lights flashing

And along the road

In the dark

Here and there

Stood grown men

Who pulled their cars and pickups

To the side of the road

In the dark

And held an American flag

Or had their had over their heart

Because they heard he was coming home

We didn’t know him

Just heard his name on the news

And that they were escorting him home

Down the highway through town

And on to his home

None of us would have it be this way

But it is

It simply is

And we are proud of you

And proud to spend this time

At the side of the road

Flag in hand

Hand over heart

To welcome you home

MFM

01-24-06

7:16 PM

Dot’s

A few minutes after the body of American Soldier, Sgt. Daniel Winegeart.  Sgt. Winegeart was in the 5th Special Forces Ranger Group of the United States Army who was serving his 3rd tour of duty in Iraq.  He was from Kountze Texas.

Message from Broussard`s Mortuary:
This message is to notify you of the arrangements and route to be taken to honor Sgt. Daniel Winegeart.  Sgt. Winegeart was in the 5th Special Forces Ranger Group of the United States Army, and died on maneuvers while serving his third deployment in Iraq.  If given notice… our citizens will turn out to honor him and his family for their sacrifice.  Please air this information and give our communities an opportunity to show their patriotism.
 
Arrival to the area
 
Sgt. Winegeart will arrive tomorrow afternoon, October 24th at George Bush International Airport in Houston.  After a short ceremony on the tarmac with his family present, all will travel in an escorted procession.  This cortege will eventually travel into Beaumont on Hwy 90 (College St.) to Interstate 10.  This corridor should provide the best opportunity for groups to gather to show their honor and support as the procession passes by.  After a brief travel on I-10, the cortege will head north on Hwy. 69/96/287 (Eastex Fwy.); take Hwy. 69 North in Lumberton and travel past Lumberton Intermediate and High School; proceed to Kountze where it will pass Kountze Middle School; will turn onto Hwy. 326; travel past the Hardin County Courthouse and arrive at Broussard`s in Kountze.  This information is being released to the Patriot Guard Riders, all school districts and interested parties along the route, so that plans can be made for their participation.  The cortege is expected to reach the city limits of Beaumont at 6 pm.

Services for Sgt. Daniel Winegeart will be 11 am Thursday, Oct. 26, 2006 at First Baptist Church of Kountze with interment to follow at Jordan Cemetery in Honey Island under the direction of Broussard`s in Kountze. A gathering of his family and friends will be from 5 – 9 pm Wednesday evening at the church.