By Judy Halone-For The Courier-Herald

Fifty Patriot Guard Riders recently surprised Army Sgt. Devin Lemco with a motorcycle escort before his return to Iraq.

&#8220It was amazing. They came to say how much they appreciate what I do,” said Lemco, a Bonney Lake resident and 2002 Sumner High graduate.

His service in the Army stretches four and a half years and includes two years in Iraq. A civil engineer stationed out of Schofield Barracks in Oahu, Hawaii, Lemco recalled the eventful surprise escort.

&#8220I was just finishing up my two-week leave from Iraq and heading back to the airport in San Diego, where I'd been visiting family,” he said.

Before heading out to the car, his sister, Destiny, begged Lemco to wear his uniform.

&#8220I didn’t want to. But to wear my camos meant that I'd need to shave. So I did, just for her,” he said. &#8220I had no idea what was coming up ahead.

&#8220We pulled up to a parking lot to drop Destiny off for camp, and here were all these bikers with American flags,” Lemco said.

Suddenly the center of attention, he instantly surrounded by a paparazzi of media, friends, family and the Patriot Guard Riders - a national group of veterans and other citizens who offer support for members of the military and their families.

&#8220Mom told me what they were doing, that they were there to escort me for my return. It really impressed me. Some of the riders had come from two hours away just to do this.

&#8220All these bikers started revving up their engines,” he said, adding he first felt embarrassed with the attention.

&#8220My mom got points for that one,” he laughed.

&#8220Many of them were vets from Vietnam. They told me they did this because they never got a ‘welcome home, soldier' or a ‘thank you,'” he said.

&#8220About 15 of them gave me help cards in case I need someone to talk to. Then they told me how much they appreciated what I do. Some of them even gave me their PGR pins,” he said.

Val Lemco also appreciated their support.

&#8220There was this biker who was a bear of a guy. He was dressed in leathers, and tears were just falling off his cheeks. He told me, ‘This means so much to me. We didn't get a ‘thank you' and we're not going to let that happen to your son,'” she recalled.

Another veteran and Patriot Guard Rider, who identified himself only as Joe, reflected on the day's significance.

&#8220It was my honor to be there. I still pray for Devin's safe return and for his family's peace of mind,” he said.

Lemco follows in a long line of family members who have served their country: from his great-great grandfather who fought in World War I and World War II; to his grandfather in WW II; and to uncles, who both served with the Army.

A commitment to the military isn't easy, Lemco said, but it's something he feels he needs to do.

&#8220I do this so my siblings won't have to,” he said. &#8220More than anything, I love it. I don't always like the Army and I'm sick of Iraq, but I love it.”

On his recently-posted blog, Lemco reminded others the war is not only fought geographically, but personally. Support for his entire battalion is critical in maintaining morale; when his Army buddies face depression or feel helpless about situations back home, it affects them all, he said.

&#8220We all drag through the week waiting for Sunday, so that we can have a few hours off to get a haircut and clean our weapons. And, if we get lucky, call home to someone who loves us; at least for those of us with someone who cares. I'm lucky. I've got people who care about me. But not everyone here does. All of my family is in fairly good health, my wife loves me and I still have all of my fingers and toes,” he wrote.

Lemco understands the public's mixed reactions when seeing him in uniform.

&#8220If I'm on a flight with two or three other soldiers, the flight crew will joke around with everybody and say, ‘we're pretty safe now on this flight,'” he chuckled.

&#8220But 99 percent of the public pretend they don't see me. They look at me then look away, like they don't know what to say. And yet others will offer to buy me a drink or lunch.

&#8220I understand about those who don't know how to react, because I feel the same way about firefighters. They are definitely my heroes - and sometimes, I just don't know what to say to them. They have all my respect,” he said.

That respect is exactly what the Patriot Guard Riders offered Lemco on their 25-minute ride from Chula Vista, Calif., to San Diego International Airport.

&#8220There were riders surrounding our vehicle. They all had their lights on and when we arrived at baggage claim, the police secured the area for us,” he said.

He was especially humbled by local police who not only saluted him and asked to have their pictures taken beside him, but also thanked him for his service.

Lemco is quick to say he's not a hero; that it is his battalion who also deserves thanks this Veterans Day. And when asked what special words he has for family members whose loved ones serve in the military, Lemco didn't need to pause.

&#8220We do it for you,” he said.