Ride Report for Ride Captain Bob

On oct, 20, 2012 the day started with a long over due welcome home for WWII marine Loren “duke” Abdalla,  His story is that of a legend,  John Wayne would have struggled playing this roll! there is a book being written about his story as we speak. He is also the great grandson of sioux chief running bull.WOW!

After a lunch with some of  N. ILL. Faithful WWR members we Hit the road to Burlington wisc. for our Mission to welcome home our hero,

 USMC LCPL. Douglas Stelter from his tour in Afganistan, at our second rally point north of the boarder we picked up some more riders and proceded to the party dougs mom Brenda was throwing in his honor, we rolled up the drive way bikes reving, horns honking and lights flashing with the national anthem blasting from one of our bikes.

this was a family who really loves there hero, and welcomed us with hugs and high fives, after a greeting and lambasting of hugs for our ROCK STAR we presented our coin, beads and thead booklet. After another round of hugs we took some photos, zipped up the leathers and blasted down the road back to ILL. 

Thanks WWR for giving me the opportunity to serve and honor these heros.

R&R Bob

The following is a story and pictures,  exactly how I received it, from my brother John. Thanks Al

The highlight of my Hawaiian vacation in early August was going to be a visit to Pearl Harbor. Not only to walk the hallowed grounds where over 3500  brave men and women lost their lives on that dreadful December 7th morning in 1941, but also to drop the “Warriors’ Watch Riders Honor Coin” that my brother Al, Coordinator of the New York State Warrior Watch Riders, had given me, and asked me to drop at the USS Arizona Memorial.  Little did I know that not only was this visit going to be the highlight of my Hawaiian vacation, but one of the highlights of my life.  As a person who has read numerous books about battles in the Pacific Theater during the World War II and who is quite aware of the many sacrifices our heroes had to endure, some surviving, others not. This visit made me feel as though I was there and that I knew many of the men who lost their lives that fateful day.

It all started the morning of August 9th when my wife and I boarded the bus to take a guided tour of the “World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument” as the memorial is officially known. I left the hotel with my, wife and camera and my hand on the “Coin” in my pocket, while reliving the many books I had read about the attack.  This was going to be a great and somber day. Throughout the tour, I had pictures taken of me with the “Coin” that I was going to proudly drop in the water, with a prayer of thanks to each and every person who made the ultimate sacrifice that day. That, and also to document for Al that his “Coin” had reached his intended destination.

The first visit was to the USS Oklahoma, a fairly new memorial which was formally dedicated on December 7th 2007 as an enduring reminder of the ship and her 429 men who had lost their lives on December 7th.  Then to the USS Missouri, “Big MO”. This long lived battleship saw action in Iwo Jima, Okinowa, the islands of Japan, Korea and Operation Desert Storm. It was also the site of the surrender of the the Empire of Japan.   It was decommissioned in 1992 and is moored as a museum just 500 yards from the USS Arizona Memorial. While standing on the bow of the ship you get the feeling that she is there to watch over the remains of the Arizona and her crew. As I mentioned earlier, this was a guided tour we were on, and we had to meet the guide after only 90 minutes.  I wish we had at least another hour there. This ship was very impressive.

From Big Mo we went on to Pacific Aviation Museum on Ford Island. After reading so much about the attack, this tour put it all together.  The guide was very impressive.  He put you right into the battle.  From being a pilot in an attacking Japanese Zero, to an American pilot trying to get airborne. He made you feel like you were living the battle, He explained the logistics of the Japanese attack, and the various types of planes in battle. Many of  which were on display. The hanger the planes were in, still bore the scars of broken windows from the bullets of the attacking planes. The guide himself was of Japanese descent. Though I am sure there are, I cannot imagine anyone knowing more about the battle than him. He was so enthusiastic, and not a question was asked that he did not know the answer to. He was awesome.

Finally we were headed to the USS Arizona. This tour started off with a 20 minute film about the attack, then onto the memorial . From the theater we took a 10 minute boat ride which brings you out to the memorial itself. With my hand on the “Coin”, I knew the time was getting close to where it would be dropped into the water. As we disembarked the boat and entered the memorial, a sudden somberness fell upon me.  I was in a place where 1,177 crew members perished aboard the USS Arizona lone. They were right below me. I envisioned and almost felt what those persons were going through at the time of the attack.  I browsed around looking into the water, where you can actually see parts of the battleship.  It was impressive and at the same time very depressive. I took the “Coin” from my pocket and tried to find a place where I would not be seen and drop it. Suddenly I asked myself, “why am I being so secretive about dropping the “Coin” ? I began to feel as if I would be desecrating the tomb of those interred below. “Why should I drop the “Coin”? Was it so I can say “I did it”? Or so Al could say he had a “Coin” placed at the memorial? Though I felt I was letting Al down, I could not drop it. I could not desecrate their final resting space.  I felt like I was letting Al down. as he was so psyched when giving me the “Coin” to drop. I hoped that he would understand  why the “Coin” was being returned to him when I got back.

As I was getting ready to embark on the boat for the return trip back to the theater, I noticed the captain and his mate greeting everyone as they boarded.  I walked up to him and explained what my plan was and why I could not bring myself to do it. He thanked me for my reverence as I instead presented the “Coin” to him.  I then boarded the boat and took my seat.  After we left the dock, the mate came to me and said “The captain would like to see you at the helm.” As I approached, the captain asked me to step up to the helm as he turned the helm over to me. While we cruised back to the dock, we chatted. I learned that his name was SN Adrian Murillo a native of Conoga Park CA and member of the USS Arizona Detachment at Pearl Harbor.  Seaman Murillo was a recent graduate of Annapolis and would be stationed at Pearl Harbor for the next 3 years.  What a gig I thought. I actually felt proud to be in his presence. As we approached the dock, he asked me if I wanted to bring it in, at which point, l figured it would be safer for all aboard if I turned the helm back over to the captain. In reality I did not want to make a fool of myself by showing my lack of mariner skills.  As I began to step down from the helm a group of visitors on the boat began to applaud. Probably because they felt they were back in safe hands. Just prior to disembarking the boat, the captain again thanked me and shook my hand, at which point I responded, “Thank you for service Captain. It has been an honor to sail with you sir.” and disembarked the vessel.

Visiting Pearl Harbor has been on my Bucket List for some time.  I was lucky enough to make the trip, but it has not fallen off the bucket list. I would readily go back, at the drop of a hat if I had the opportunity. However, on my second visit I would not take the tour. There was too much I missed. I like to read all the descriptions of items and pictures. However, if I were visiting for the first time, I definitely would recommend the 1 day tour and then plan on spending at least another 1/2 to full day there afterwords to get to the exhibits I missed.

Ride Report for Ride Captain HowardK

On Saturday afternoon October 13th Warriors Watch Riders were joined by A Hero’s Welcome to honor and surprise E4 Spec Joseph Ferrara as he returned to his family in Perkasie after a one year deployment in Afghanistan. We were also honored to welcome home Sgt First Class James Greco, a three tour Afghanistan war veteran who accompanied Joe on the trip home to Perkasie.

Joe Ferrara is 23 years old and married his high school sweetheart, Stephanie, 2 years ago. He has been an active firefighter with Perkasie FD 26 since 2005. Joe obtained his EMT license at age 17 and has worked for Bucks County since 2008. Joe joined US Army reserves in 2010 as military police with E3 status and was promoted last August to E4 Specialist. Joe was then sent to school to be a medic for his unit as they prepared to be deployed overseas.

Sgt First Class James Greco is the training NCIC for Unit 367 MP Company stationed at Willow Grove. Sgt. Greco has served in the United States Army for 25 years and has served three deployments to Afghanistan.

Warrior’s Watch Riders were invited by Joe’s mother and father Paul and Lauren to surprise Joe as they, along with Joe’s mother-in-law and father-in-law Jeff and Annette Gahman brought him back to Perkasie from Philadelphia. We were asked to meet them at the Regal Warrington Shopping Center and escort them home the Warriors Watch Way. Paul, Lauren, Jeff and Annette told us how proud they are of Joe for all of his accomplishments in such a short time and were planning a parade for him to celebrate his arrival home. Well…everyone loves a parade… and what a fabulous parade this was!

Warriors’ Watch Riders along with A Hero’s Welcome were joined at the Regal Warrington Shopping Center by a large contingent of police, fire and EMT’s including Perkasie FD 26 Engine 29, Hilltown FD, and Chalfont Ambulance as well as by Warrington PD officers Kenderdine, Peranteau and DeBrigida. Warriors’ Watch Riders formed a long flag line in the parking lot to await the arrival of our returning war veterans. The HERO’s and their families arrived in a Perkasie

FD 26 Fire Truck piloted by Jeff Gahman accompanied by the Perkasie FD 26 Chief’s red Ford Expedition driven by Paul Ferrara. The surprised US Army veterans exited the trucks and were warmly greeted by all of the men, women, police, fire and EMT’s assembled. We then formed a procession led by Warrington PD officer Kenderdine for the escort to Perkasie.

The long escort proceeded north on route 611. Local FD’s were arranged on many of the overpasses with their ladder trucks, ladders extended, displaying large American Flags to welcome the HERO’s. The firefighters lined the overpasses and waved and saluted the procession as it passed beneath them.

As we proceeded on route 313 and approached rt 113 we were met by Perkasie Boro MC Officer Thomas Brun who escorted the long procession to Perkasie. The procession then turned into a PARADE! Officer Brun led the parade

all the way down 5th street, past a cheering crowd assembled in front of Perkasie FD 26 and all the way to the end of town. The procession then circled back and paraded down 7th street and back to the firehouse.

The firehouse was brightly lighted and the bays were filled with many family, friends, firemen, EMT’s as well as state and local dignitaries eager to greet Joe and James. Food and refreshments were set up and a table with music and microphones was prepared for the occasion. E4 Specialaist Joseph Ferrara and Sgt First Class James Greco were invited to the front of the room. The WWR RC thanked everyone for their energy in providing this proper welcome for Joe and James and presented Joe with our WWR Honor coin and thanked him for his service and sacrifice. State ASC Chas Ackley then came forward to present Sgt. Greco with a WWR Honor coin and welcomed him home from his THIRD tour of duty. Next Michelle Rooney, representing A Hero’s Welcome, presented A Hero’s Welcome certificate to Joe and James thanking them from a grateful nation. Our senior WWR member Bob then came forward and presented American flag stars to both war veterans which are meant to remind them that they are not forgotten. WWR Vietnam veteran Dutch then presented Honor beads to both returning war veterans and explained to them the significance of the colors of each string. A representative of Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick then presented a flag to Joe and thanked him on behalf of our Congressman.

Pastor Steward Warner offered a prayer in gratefulness for the safe return of our returning war veterans. Fire Chief Dave Worthington thanked the returning war veterans on behalf of the grateful community and fellow firefighter then came forward for a special presentation. Joe was told that during his absence a vote had been taken by all firefighters from FD 26 and he had been voted to become Lieutenant. Joe was then presented his new Lieutenant’s fire helmet. He accepted the helmet with great pride.

In true WWR tradition we then formed for a group picture with our returning hero’s joined by their very proud families standing behind the Welcome Home banner that was rolled out in the fire bay.

We would like to recognize Perkasie FD 26 Battalion Chief Ed Boshell who arranged and coordinated all of the local FD’s, PD’s and EMT’s for this awesome welcome home escort and parade. Warriors’ Watch Riders would like to thank Paul and Lauren Ferrara and Stephanie Ferrara as well as Jeff and Annette Gahman, Nicole and Christine and the entire family for inviting us to be part of this welcome home for Joe. Thank you to A Hero’s Welcome for your energetic and unending support and recognition of our returning hero’s. We would like to thank Officers Kenderdine, Peranteau and DeBrigida of the Warrington PD and Officer Brun of Perkasie Boro PD who provided an AWESOME and safe escort for the final leg home. We also thank all of the police, fire and EMT’s for providing energetic and patriotic support for our returning Army veterans.

Most of all, THANK YOU Specialist Joseph Ferrara and Sgt. First Class James Greco for your service, sacrifice and dedication to keeping us all free and safe back here at home!

ARMY STRONG !!!!!!!!!!

Respectfully submitted by RC HowardK

Pictures courtesy of Karen Ackley

Ride Report for Ride Captain John Miller

October First was a beautiful day to Welcome Home one of America’s Real Heroes.

Being that USMC Lance Corporal Eric Weeks had just gotten home to NJ, over twenty bikers and a cage or two gathered at Sterling High School in Somerdale ready to let Eric know they appreciate his service.  Two of Lindenwold’s Finest joined us there to provide the official sirens and lights as well as provide safe passage for our procession to La Esperanza, a Mexican eatery in Lindenwold.

Part of Eric’s youth was spent in Stratford, the same town his mother grew up in.  It turns out a few of the Warrior’s Watch Riders also grew up there.  Some of us knew his mom, Karen, “back in the day”.

We rolled over to Karen’s home and “knocked” on the door with throttles and horns.  It didn’t take long for Eric to investigate what all the fuss was about.  Upon seeing we were there for him, he broke out in a huge smile that he wore for the next hour.  Our band of well-wishers mugged Eric with hugs, hand shakes, and back slaps.  Talk of “Welcome Home” and “Thank you for your service” were overheard.

As Stan P. tossed Eric a helmet and said hop on… Eric’s smile grew bigger.  Lindenwold LEO led us the handful of miles to the restaurant.  Waiting there for Eric were the Patriots from Operation Yellow Ribbon, an off-shoot of the recently disbanded Yellow Ribbon Club. These gracious folks are a bunch of hootin’, hollerin’, flag wavin’, Hero Huggin’ Patriots.  Two ladder trucks from the Lindenwold Fire Department displaying a large American flag were also waiting for Eric.

When the dust settled, a few presentations were made.  LtCol Al Bancroft presented the Camden County Service Medal.  The Nam Knights of America and the Legion Riders each presented Challenge Coins, and Jinksey placed a WWR magic coin in Eric’s palm.

Thanks to everyone who made this endeavor a success.  An American Hero came home and we appreciate his service and sacrifice.  Welcome Home Eric.