WLBT 3 - Jackson, MS: Surprise send off for Pearl soldier

Surprise send off for Pearl soldier

By Julie Straw - bio | email

Pearl, MS (WLBT) -  They rode in with a roar, a way of sending off a soldier they've never met.

"We're going to present him with this flag and we are going to tell him we appreciate his service to this country," said Patriot Guard Rider Craig Hatter.

The Patriot Guard Riders, members of Fire and Ice and Congressman Gregg Harper arrived at First Lt. Paul Rocquin's home.  It was a welcome and emotional surprise for a soldier preparing for his second tour of duty in Iraq and the first away from his new wife.

"She hasn't had to live without me yet.  I had to go over there and do it on my own and just be with my troops, but it's all new to her," said Rocquin of his wife Beth.

Beth Rocquin who started it all with an ad on Craig's List.

"(His) wife had put out on Craig's List about needing some help with a party and support for her husband as he deployed to Iraq with the 155th," said Hatter.

"He told me they would handle some flags and make it a memorable day.  I didn't know it would be all this," said Beth.

The group stayed just for a few minutes, enough time for each to say thank you and offer up a prayer. 

"How do you ever pay your debt to the men and women that protect us and serve this country?  So this was a good community way to let someone know you are not alone," said Harper.

"Seeing how this is his second time he's gone to defend our country. It's the least we could do to give back to him and also he's a home town boy from right here in pearl," said Fire and Ice President James Thompson.

Tocquin will leave with the Army National Guard's 155th Armor Battalion for a year tour overseas knowing his wife has new friends to lean on while he is away.

"(I am) thankful for everybody else who has come out to help and make this a very memorable day," said Rocquin.