The 25-year-old was met by members of the Warriors Watch Riders, friends and family when he arrived today at the Lehigh Valley International Airport. See VIDEOS and PHOTOS.
To say 25-year-old Joel Hummer didn’t expect some fanfare when he returned from his second overseas deployment with the U.S. Army would be a lie.
But the sergeant from Phillipsburg admits that the dozens of family, friends and motorcyclists who turned out this afternoon at Lehigh Valley International Airport to welcome him home was not what he expected — yet again.
“I did have a feeling,” Hummer said. “I know my mom. She likes to go all out.”
It’s true. Katherine Hummer, of Palmer Township, first called on the local Warriors’ Watch Riders group to welcome her son home in 2008 when he returned from Iraq. She said she could tell it meant a lot to him then. So after his latest nine-month tour, the mother of five boys said she could not resist.
“He’s very conservative. He’s very shy,” she said of Joel. “But he knows his mom. And he deserves this. We’re all so proud of him.”
From the airport in Hanover Township, Lehigh County, the motorcyclists were to be joined by area first responders to escort the veteran to his mother’s Hermitage Avenue home.
Joel Hummer’s 30-year-old brother, Jared Hummer, also of Phillipsburg, just retired from the military, ending his career as an Army corporal. He was excited to see his little brother greeted by supporters.
“It’s euphoria,” Jared Hummer said when asked to describe the emotions that hit a veteran when he or she first sees loved ones. “There’s really no words to explain exactly what it feels like.”
Joel Hummer, a 2006 graduate of Phillipsburg High School, said he was looking forward to catching up with his growing number of nieces and nephews.
“I miss so much when I’m away,” he said. “There’ll be lots of family time.”
Katherine Hummer, whose eyes would occasionally grow teary when she spoke of her sons’ time spent overseas, said she was able to make it through the seemingly unending deployments with the help of family, friends and technology.
“I honestly don’t know how the World War I and World War II mothers and wives did it,” she said. “I got to speak with him at least once a month. And with Skype, I got to see his face. I don’t know how I would have done it without that.”
Joel Hummer’s 12-year-old brother, Trevor, an Easton Area Middle School student, said he doesn't know many other students who had brothers or sisters overseas.
“The ones who do would come to me to learn a little bit about how to handle it,” he said.
Trevor said he was happy to help. When the middle school gifted program worked on a project to send out personalized care packages to troops overseas, he said he could not help but think about his big brother.
“I know this will make him happy,” he said of the welcome committee as they prepared to greet the Army sergeant. “Joel’s always been one to be happy to see people supporting him.”
Warriors’ Watch Rider Melanie Jacobes, of Quakertown, Pa., led today’s ride honoring Joel Hummer. She joined the group about a year and a half ago, intrigued by the motorcycle camaraderie and the good cause.
She couldn’t help but think of a moment when her young son said he was embarrassed after she thanked some troops for their service not long after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
“That stuck with me. I felt I needed to do this to teach my own children, too,” Jacobes said, motioning to the growing group of supporters waiting for the incoming flight. “It’s this that should be the norm.”