The police department, fire department, and the Warriors’ Watch Riders made a lot of noise in Gainesville Saturday afternoon as they pulled up to the house of Capt. Frank Barroqueiro to honor him at his welcome home party from Afghanistan.

On Aug. 27, Barroqueiro, an eighth-grade physical science teacher at Chestatee Middle School, was shot in the right forearm during a firefight. He was serving with the Gainesville-based Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 121st Infantry Regiment, 48th Brigade of the Army National Guard.

So far, he has undergone 10 surgeries.

Barroqueiro said that when he saw his wife’s face for the first time after he returned home, it was almost disbelief.

"I wasn’t ready to come home yet," Barroqueiro said. "I knew I was coming, but I wasn’t prepared for it, and when I finally saw her, I was like, ‘wow, it is really happening.’"

Barroqueiro has served in the Guard for 10 years.

"One thing about the National Guard that really appealed to me is that they serve not only the nation but also the community," Barroqueiro said. "So you have a chance to help your neighbor and your friends in a time of need."

Barroqueiro arrived in Afghanistan in early June. He said he believes U.S. forces are making progress in the war-torn Asian nation.

"The average everyday citizens love you, and they love the fact that you’re there because they know what you’re doing for them," Barroqueiro said. "They’re just very scared of the Taliban."

Barroqueiro said that the citizens are very poor, yet they are very grateful to what the soldiers give them.

"They are very quick to tell you that their children are in school, because to them, that means a great deal," Barroqueiro said. "They will also share anything with you — they’ll share their last bit of food with you."

Bethany Barroqueiro came up with the idea to honor her husband with a welcome home party.

"I wanted to recognize him, and I know that a lot of the people in the community are proud of him, and they want that same opportunity," she said.

Bethany Barroqueiro believes that it is important to honor soldiers coming home so they see that people are proud of them.

It took Frank Barroqueiro a week after he was shot to arrive back home. Bethany Barroqueiro said that it depended on the moment as to what was going on in her head at the time.

"I got so many different pieces of information from different people, and all of the family friends were calling — it was overwhelming more than anything," she said.

When Frank Barroqueiro arrived, his wife was scared to see him at first because she didn’t know how severe the injury was or what his mindset was.

"Once I saw him, it was such a relief," Bethany Barroqueiro said. "Your imagination is always worse than reality."

The Barroqueiros have a 2-year-old son, Hayden.

Bethany Barroqueiro said Hayden was OK with his father being gone because they talked about it every day, and Hayden looked at pictures. They were also able to talk to Barroqueiro on the phone.

The Warriors’ Watch Riders, a motorcycle group that honors soldiers at different events, reached out to Bethany Barroqueiro to take part in the welcome home party.

Gary Hinson, group’s assistant state coordinator, said that once a family invites them to take part, they do everything they can to draw attention to the soldier.

"It is our way of saying ‘thank you,’" Hinson said. "A lot of us are ex-military or wish they had been military, and this is our way of showing our appreciation."

J.D. Honeycutt, 19, a North Hall High School graduate, is leaving for Afghanistan in December or January. He rode along with the Warriors’ Watch Riders to the party.

"I know I’ll be all right over there because I have plenty of people over there to watch my back," said Honeycutt, who has been training for over a year. "I’m kind of excited to go over there and do what I actually signed up for."

Supporters of Frank Barroqueiro were eager to honor him.

"It is a little overwhelming, and I’m sure that when he went over there he never thought that he would be in this situation," said Laura Balser, a friend of the family whose husband also is serving. "I know all of us hoped that we wouldn’t know anyone who would be injured or killed. To see the support come out for the soldiers, no matter what the casualty is, is tremendous."

"I think it is a very nice and good thing to do to pay respect for people who fight for freedom and are willing to pay their highest price," said Robert Ottjes, a friend visiting from The Netherlands. "It is really amazing and really impressive for us."