As the 50 or so motorcycles were lined up at Eastmoor United Methodist Church parking lot Sunday afternoon, a quick glance revealed more than Marion and Hillsboro American Legion Riders.

There were motorcycles with tags from McPherson County, Saline County, Sedgwick County, Geary County.

So, what brought these people from Marion, Hillsboro, and other cities to welcome home a soldier they don’t even know?

“I wanted to support a fellow soldier,” said Ryan Mathis of Junction City, a 30-something U.S. Army veteran.

He is a member of the Veterans Motorcycle Club Kansas Flatlands of Herington.

Mathis said he served in Iraq, coming home in March 2005.

“I didn’t have this kind of homecoming,” he said. “Homecomings are great. There’s nothing better for a soldier.”