Body of Moultrie County Soldier Arrives Home

DECATUR---It was a gloomy day in the skies and on the ground as the body of 21-year old Cole Spencer arrived home for one final time. The small charter plane carrying the soldier's coffin arrived at the Decatur airport just before noon today. There to greet the Iraqi war veteran was a somber gathering of his closest friends and family. But beyond them were about 40-members of the "Patriot Guard Riders" who are a national organization that tries to honor those coming home from overseas. "Many of us came back from Vietnam, weren't well treated and so we feel that every American that's in the service is dedicating their life to the protection of our country." Says ride captain Kenneth Brumley. ''So they deserve to have someone there when they come home." Captain Brumley says he and his mates attend a ceremony like this just about once every week. Sometimes it's to welcome home a soldier and other times like today, it's to accompany the body of another man or woman lost in Iraq. "We prefer the welcome homes, we have a young man here that we welcomed home last week and that's good to see them here and a part of us." All politics aside, Brumley says it's not their business to get into debates about the war. He and his fellow riders are simply on hand to show support for their country and those who serve to protect it. "Politics is something we don't want to get into. Whether there are people that are anti-war, pro-war...it's about choice. Whatever choice that person makes, we want them to know we support that choice." It’s a choice that Cole Spencer made, which ultimately cost him his life.