Airman on leave gets warm welcome
SAXONBURG — Escorted by fire trucks, ambulances and a group of American Legion Riders driving down Saxonburg's Main Street with lights flashing and sirens blaring, Rachel Watson probably experienced a homecoming she won't soon forget.
The young Air Force airman first class and a 2012 Butler High School graduate, was welcomed home after being deployed in Africa for the last four and a half months.
“I was surprised by all of it. It was crazy,” she told friends afterward at the Saxonburg VFW, since she believed she was going to have a small reunion with family at Pittsburgh International Airport on Monday evening.
Instead, she was greeted with a round of applause from family, friends and members of the Butler County American Legion Riders. Passers-by approached Watson throughout the evening, welcoming her home and thanking her for her service. She was then escorted through Zelienople, Evans City and Saxonburg, with folks waving flags on the sidewalks.
In addition to the American Legion Riders, squads from Saxonburg Police Department, Saxonburg Fire Department, and Saxonburg Ambulance Services were among those who escorted her through downtown Saxonburg.
“I never set up anything like this before, and I was thrilled and honored to do it,” said Saxonburg Mayor Pam Bauman.
Rachel Watson's mother, Nancy, planned her daughter's homecoming parade with the help of Butler County American Legion Riders President Leroy Bunyan.
“It's their way of thanking their service members,” said Nancy Watson of Summit Township. “I'm very proud of her. She's the youngest of five. She enlisted when she was just 17.”
Rachel Watson's stay at home is roughly three weeks long, so she's going to take advantage of seeing family and friends as much as she can. She'll then return to England, where she was stationed before her deployment to Africa.The Butler County American Legion Riders, by request, escort military personnel who return home from overseas.
