Lcpl. Joshua Simpson received a noisy welcome home to Oakley Friday evening. About two dozen motorcycle-mounted patriots from the Warrior Watch Riders, Lafayette Flag Brigade, American Legion Riders and Dirty Dogs, three Oakley Police squad cars, ECCFPD Engine 93, along with family, friends and neighbors, surprised him at dinner at the Black Bear diner. They escorted Simpson across town to his home, where other neighbors, roused by the roar of the bikes, blaring car horns and the emergency vehicles' sirens, joined in the celebration.

The Liberty High School graduate is serving with Marine Air Control Squadron-2 as a Basic Engineer Electrical Equipment Systems Tech. He was stationed at Camp Leatherneck in the Helmand Province, Afghanistan.

For a slide show of the occasion, click here.

The Warrior Watch Riders want to hear about returning service members to whom they can provide a well-deserved welcome home. If you know one coming home from anywhere (it does not have to be the Middle East), contact Spike at 925-628-2201, e-mail spiker592000@yahoo.com or visit www.warriorswatch.org.