A Home Coming for Afghanistan Active Duty Soldier Petty Officer 1st Class Kari Raffensberger
CHESTNUTHILL TOWNSHIP: Petty Officer 1st Class Kari Raffensberger was stationed in Afghanistan for the past 7 months and returned home on Thursday, July 18th, 2019. What she didn't know was what was waiting for her when she arrived back in Pennsylvania.
Her journey started when she flew back to Norfork, VA to fill out paperwork so she could start her leave, after completing the paperwork she flew to Washington D.C. where she is based out of and then drove to Pennsylvania meeting up with fiancé Kevin who drove her to Panera Bread 3301 Bath Pike, Bethlehem to a waiting crowd of Bikers, Police, Fire, and Family members to welcome here home, but the journey didn't end there, it was only the first part of her Welcome Home celebration.
Everyone saddled and Escorted Kari to Jimmy's Hilltop Ice Cream and Eatery on Rt 209 in Brodheadsville where people with signs turned out to welcome her home.
Kari and Kevin have been together for 2 1/2 years and will be working on their wedding plans while she is on leave, Kevin who returned from Afghanistan on July 4 is also on leave.
Watch the video below to watch Kari arriving with her escorts and her answering questions and interacting with family and those that turned out to Welcome her Home.
Warriors’ Watch Riders NEPA (Northeastern Pennsylvania), Patriot Guard Rider Region 5 PA, Common Ground MC, Pocono Raceway, Pocono Mountain HOG, Bikers Against Cop Killers, Bushkill Township PD, Colonial Regional PD, Bethlehem Fire Department, West End Volunteer Fire Co., Blue Ridge Hook & Ladder and Gallagher Guns, LLC
Media Coverage by: The West End Reporter, WNEP, WBRE, Ch 13 BRC and the Times News