Patriot Guard Honors Their Own
posted Wednesday, 5 December 2007
Man Serving In Iraq Returns Home With Brain Tumor
Seth Seymour
NewsChannel19
Chattanooga TN -- A bittersweet homecoming Tuesday for a Chattanooga man working in Iraq.
Roger Weare's return home from his job as a civilian contractor was anything but expected.
Only days ago, the veteran found out he has a brain tumor.
At the Chattanooga Airport Tuesday night, proud bikers from the Patriot Guard Riders lined up to make sure Weare, 50, got the thank you he deserved.
But Tuesday's thank you came with a heavy heart and a lot of hope.
As Weare approached the crowd, bound to a wheelchair and with his family by his side, the Patriot Guard gave Weare a hero's welcome.
Weare, a Patriot Guard Rider just like them, had no choice but to leave his job driving trucks in Iraq for military contractor KBR.
The U.S. military brought him home.
"They flew me here as quick as they could," Weare said. "They're taking real good care of me. They even sent a medical escort with me all the way."
Weare has served the military as a marine.
Now this father is serving in second time in Iraq as a civilian contractor.
Asked why he does it, he responded, "Somebody has to. Somebody has to support the troops. That's what it's all about. Somebody has to let them know we care, and that's what I'm trying to do."
But now it's Weare who needs help.
He's being taken by ambulance to Erlanger Medical Center for emergency medical treatment.
He's not sure how long he'll be stateside, but even though he's only been home for a few hours, Weare says he can't wait to return to Iraq.
"I'm ready to go back. They need me. Somebody needs me."