Welcome home Brandon Matchett

On a rainy Tuesday afternoon a caravan of motorcycles and cars headed toward Bear Valley Springs. This was the beginning of a "Welcome Home" for US Army Specialist Brandon Matchett. He had just returned home from South Korea where he had been stationed for about a year and a half.

Matchett is a 2010 graduate of Tehachapi High School, and joined the US Army in 2014.

The Patriot Guard Riders, pictured left, met Brandon and his family in downtown Tehachapi and escorted them to his parents' home in Bear Valley Springs.

The first stop on the way was to say hello to Brandon's little sister at Cummings Valley Elementary School. The Patriot Guard Riders, American Legion Post 221 members and Auxiliary members were all invited into the classroom, along with Brandon's bride and family, to witness the emotional re-union between Brandon and his little sister, Riley. The event organizers would like to thank Riley's teacher, Debbie Bernacchi for allowing everyone the brief disruption to her class time.

From the school the caravan of motorcycles and cars proceeded to the home of Brandon's parents in Bear Valley Springs where the celebrations continued. The family home had been decorated with yellow ribbons and American Flags by the American Legion Auxiliary members earlier in the day. Gifts were given to Brandon and his wife, Yejin, by the Bear Valley Springs veterans Association.

If anyone has a service member arriving home from active duty and would like to celebrate with a "Welcome Home" the above organizations are honored and delighted to make your loved one's homecoming a very special occasion. For more information please contact the American Legion Auxiliary (661) 331-0707 or (805) 231-1847. To contact the Tehachapi Patriot Guard Riders please call Ride Captain Jim Jacobs at (541) 915-0877.