U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Valerie Quinlan, who returned from a tour
in Afghanistan a couple of months ago, may expect a quiet week at
home this weekend when she and her husband, U.S. Marine Cpl. Mike
Quinlan, visit family members in Gilroy.
U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Valerie Quinlan, who returned from a tour in Afghanistan a couple of months ago, may expect a quiet week at home this weekend when she and her husband, U.S. Marine Cpl. Mike Quinlan, visit family members in Gilroy.
However, the couple is in for a surprise, as the Patriot Guard Riders motorcycle group will accompany them from San Jose International Airport to a special reception at Gilroy Veterans Hall. The family welcomes community members to the event, which will include participation from members of the Gilroy police and fire departments.
“We want to help light up the town and make some noise,” said Don Newton, a ride captain for the Patriot Guard Riders.
The motorcycle group seeks to honor soldiers by serving as escorts in funeral processions and for soldiers who have returned from war.
Kim Burgess, Quinlan’s stepmother, encountered Patriot Guard Riders in the Target parking lot in Morgan Hill last month after they noticed a “Blue Star Moms” sticker on her car, indicating that she has children serving in the military.
“They said, ‘We want to thank you for your family’s service to our country,’ which of course, melted me as a mom,” Burgess said.
Burgess – who grew up in Gilroy and went to Live Oak High School – said she searched for the group online after learning that her stepdaughter was coming home for a visit.
Valerie Quinlan, who grew up in Hollister, met her husband in Afghanistan, where he served as a Marine. Mike Quinlan has since been reassigned to Maryland, Burgess said.
The couple married a couple of months ago, and now they are expecting their first child.
“As soon as the wheels got on the ground they went to the Justice of Peace and got married in Virginia,” Burgess said.
The couple will have an official wedding next summer, she said. The Quinlans’ trip to California will mark the first time the Burgesses have met Mike in person.
Members of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6309 and American Legion Post 217 will team up to host the reception Saturday along with American Legion Post 419 of Santa Clara, to which Newton belongs.
After the reception, the Quinlans will stay at the Burgess home for about a week, Kim Burgess said.
“We’ll fill them up on barbecue and home cooking and make great memories for this week,” she said.
A Gilroy welcome for two veterans
What: Reception for Valerie Quinlan’s return from Afghanistan
When: By 12:30 Saturday
Where: Gilroy Veterans Hall, 74 W. Sixth St.
