Ride Report for Ride Captain Don(sailor 74) Brady

We gathered at Lyons Village hall to welcome Sgt. Lopez & PFC Scapardine from Iraq and Afghanistan Today. The Mayor,countless politicians  friends,family and well wishers waited to welcome home our hero’s.We were led by a least a dozen squad cars from neighboring villages as well as fire trucks with sirens blaring. We surprised our hero’s at home with a vintage jeep and a truck for their escort to village hall. Along the route we passed two schools where the school students were outside waiting with flags and banners welcoming our hero’s home. When we arrived at village hall a band played and the crowd applauded and cheered. The Mayor thanked them as well as politicians and Ron Kittle former (Chicago White Sox player), people from the VA, . We presented our hero’s with a copy of our thread,honor beads and a challenge coin and thanked them for their service.After our presentation the Mayor introduced us to 2 more soldier just home form Afghanistan so we coined them and gave them beads also. What a great day IT was 4 returning warriors at one time,they could not believe that so many people would take time out of their day just for them.We told them that that was the least we could do for them after what they were through.

Ride Caption

Don(sailor 74)Brady

Ride Report for Ride Captain Spike

A lot went into this mission from the very start. Most of the National Cemeteries had been over the years very well attended by mostly pgr. I noticed ,however that the Presidio in San Francisco had very little to no attendance. The Presidio is a very Historic Landmark in California. Established by the Spanish in 1776, then shortly thereafter fell to the Mexican Army. In 1846 the US took control and for the next 100+ years stood as such protecting the Gate. Many Soldiers were stationed there including a Regiment of Buffalo Soldiers. So, I was Invited to come for a meeting about Wreaths Across America commitee. At that meeting , I signed onto the committee , representing the WWR. So , now the plan comes into reality , What will the WWR’s role be.

I wanted us to be very active in this program, so ,this year we came up with escorting both the Truck delivering the Wreaths and then the Day of. We would Escort the Keynote speaker. So, since the Ceremony is at 0900 hrs. our time, we had to start our mission early. Turns out we were going to Escort a WWII Navy Veteran , Pearl Harbor Survivor. Chuck Kohle , & a very Proud Buffalo Soldier Commander Ulisyies Moore. The Mission was broke up in 3 Parts , the 2 Escorts and also a Huey Flyover. Snapshot met at the airport with the Huey Crew, The Huey had 2 roles for this day. 1st a Flyover and 2nd was to do several low passes in order to take Arial Pictures.

Our Escorts all came together at the presidio at 0800 Hrs. Raider went to get Commander Moore and Myself and the East County Members escorted Chuck. We rolled into the Presidio National Cemetery with 20+ Bikes and several Cages. Kris had Cdr. Moore in her Ambulance , with Raider ,Wrecker and Rich & DeDe Escorting.The S.F. PD Mounted Patrol were there with 2 PD Motors. Our very good friends with American Freedom Riders came as well, They are Ladies with Horses ,carrying Big Flags.Many organizations were in attendance for this event. Chuck’s recount was incredible , it was like we were all there that day at Pearl. The Ceremony was completed with Honor, the S.F. PD Bagpiper & Trumpet player closed the Ceremony out. We then all gathered up and placed the wreaths at desinated Headstones.We then Escorted Commander Moore back to the Assisted Living Community where he lived, He is in a Wheel Chair , So , we helped out on getting him Home.

SPIKE
Heidi’s PaPa & MaMa J’s Man
Northern California State Coordinator Warriors’ Watch Riders

Ride Report for Ride Captain Woody

Today’s event started at the Colonial Diner in East Brunswick in the cold morning hours.  Approximately a dozen volunteers, two of whom braved the wicked cold temperatures on their motorcycles, started the journey with the first stop at the East Brunswick Veterans Memorial Park.

When we arrived at the first location, WWR member, Woody, spoke to those in attendance about how today’s event came about and how the rest of the day would unfold;

The Arlington Wreath Project

The tradition of laying wreaths to honor our veterans during the holiday season began in 1992, when the Worcester Wreath Company of Harrington, Maine, was stuck with a number of extra wreaths at the close of the holiday season.

Remembering a boyhood trip to the Nation’s Capital, and the sacred grounds of Arlington National Cemetery, he donated 5,000 wreaths to be placed at the headstones of an older section of the cemetery.

What began as one man’s gesture has grown into a national movement – when in 2006 Wreaths Across America was formed as a non-profit.

Wreaths Across America

As part of the annual wreath-laying events at over 500 participating locations around the Nation, each year, donated wreaths are delivered to national veteran’s cemeteries around the Country, where thousands of volunteers take a quiet moment to show their gratitude and appreciation during the holiday season.

Each wreath honors all servicemen and women for their self-less sacrifice – and that of their families who are without loved ones during the holidays.

You are Not Forgotten

In 1971, while the Vietnam War was still being fought, Mary Hoff, wife if a MIA service member, recognized the need for a symbol of US POW/MIA’s.  The result is the now familiar black and white POW-MIA flag that is flown across the country.

You are Not Forgotten is the message that Wreaths Across America will share with all veterans.  From one generation to another, we will NEVER FORGET that the freedoms we enjoy, came at such a great cost.  Remember, Honor, Teach – which is the motto of Wreaths Across America.

2011 Wreaths Across NJ (WWR Style)

Warrior’s Watch Riders has had an on-going project to place wreaths in honor of those who have served our country and have since passed on.  The NJ WWR has done this a little differently than just laying wreaths onto grave sites.  We have tried to place wreaths, as many as we can, in a General Location for Each Cemetery or Memorial that we can visit in one day.  The 1st year we did a few. The 2nd year we did 12. Last year we placed 28, and this year we are laying an incredible 37 wreaths! We are already hoping to increase these numbers next year!

At each wreath location, we will hold a moment of silence to reflect on the lives that were lost in the name of freedom, as well as offer a short prayer.

Thank you for joining us and taking part of laying a wreath for the Heroes and Veterans who have gone before us……who have served to ensure the way of life and our freedoms that we all love so dearly.  As we place each wreath, I’m sure that you will walk away with an early holiday gift.

After a moment of silence, Woody recited the following prayer:

What is a Veteran?

A veteran is a person who fell in love with their country – for better, for worse – for richer, for poorer – in sickness and in health.

A Veteran is a person who is willing to lay down their life for the Statue Of Liberty so that her poor, her huddles masses, her homeless, her tempest tossed may breathe free and may enjoy life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

A Veteran is a person who does what he/she must – in spite of personal consequences – in spite of obstacles and dangers and pressures – for that is the basis of all human morality.

A Veteran is one who gets a lump in their throat when he/she sees our beloved flag.  One who will fight to protect our beautiful flag from those who dare to dishonor it.

A Veteran is who serves their country, honorably; and cherishes their freedom, passionately.

A Veteran is one well deserving of our appreciation, our love, and our prayers 365 days a year.

The second stop of the day was the Clarksburg Memorial Monument, where a short prayer was again offered by Woody.

‘You toiled so hard for those you loved. You said good-bye to none.

Your spirit flew before we knew. Your work on earth was done.

We miss you now. Our hearts are sore. As time goes by we miss you more.

Your loving smile, your gentle face. No one can fill your vacant place.

Your life was love and labor, your love for your family true.

You did the best for all of us, we will always remember you.’

The third stop of the day was the Brigadier General William F. Doyle Veterans Cemetery in Wrightstown.   Woody recited the following prayer;

I Said a Prayer for You Today

I said a prayer for you today and know God must have heard. I felt the answer in my heart although He spoke no word.  I didn’t ask for wealth or fame (I knew you wouldn’t mind). I asked Him to send treasurers of a far more last kind!  I asked that He be near you at the start of each new day; to grant your health and blessings and friends to share your way!  I asked for happiness for you in all things great and small. But it was for His loving care that I prayed for most of all!

Life is but a stopping place, a pause in what’s to be, a resting place along the road to sweet eternity. We all have different journeys, different paths along the way, we all are meant to learn some things, but never meant to stay.  Our destination is a place far greater than we know, for some, the journey’s quicker, for some the journey’s slow. And when the journey finally ends, we’ll claim a great reward, and find everlasting peace, together with the Lord.

Finally, we arrived at the new Veterans Memorial in Jackson, where we were greeted by a Korean War Veteran who asked if he could join us. Of course, we welcomed him with big hugs and gratitude of thanks for his service. In turn, he thanked us for what we were doing today.  We made his day!   It was fitting that Woody offered this final prayer of the day:

A Blessing In Uniform

Please bless the stranger in the faded uniform.

Give him the peace of a career well-served, and a service completed.

Give him my thanks for the doors he opened, the paths he paved, and the battles he spared us.

Please bless the stranger in the muddy uniform.

Hold her bold heart in the palm of Your capable hands, until she can feel the peace of home again.

Give her my thanks for the freedoms she preserves, the future she defends, the ideas she embodies.

Please bless the children admiring the uniform.

Guide them as they grow, drawing them into Your wisdom, into Your strength.

Give them my thanks for all that this world can and will be because of them – your strong and selfless soldiers.

Humbly submitted by

Deb Shelley, ‘Woody’, Sinister Steel MA

Ride Report for Ride Captain Kelly

Warriors Watch Riders joined with several other organizations and participants for the key ceremony when SPC Kinslow received the keys to a specially adapted home that was built for him with the help of Homes For Our Troops, many local businesses, plus the labor and dedication of many surrounding neighbors.

Rob was only two months into his first deployment in Afganistan when he was on a combat patrol near the Pakistan border.  His team was on a mission to search out aggressive Taliban forces in the mountainous area.  Attacked by a large group of Taliban fighters, SPC Kislow received five gunshots to his body causing multiple serious injuries.  Due to his wounds, his right leg required amputation.  His life was likely saved by his Kevlar vest as the two shots that hit it did no damage.  However his kevlar helmet was punctured by a bullet leaving him with TBI.  Despite his wounds, he took over the forward marksman position for a wounded teammate and continued fighting until a medic arrived.  He was carried to the top of the mountain where he was airlifted to the neares FOB, then later airlifted to Landstuhl, Germany.  He then went on to Walter Reed where he spent 29 months enduring surgeries and therapies while recuperating.  His treatments continue through his local VA hospital.

In September, we had the opportunity to meet Rob at a Welcome Home for Corey Stahler, a long time friend of Rob’s.  When Rob’s service and sacrifice for our freedoms became known, he humbly deflected fanfare saying, “This is Corey’s day.”  It goes without saying that it was with great pleasure that we celebrated Rob on a day dedicated to him.

Brian Unangst, a member of the Christian Motorcyclists Association had been in contact with Homes For Our Troops throughout the build process and set up the escort.  You know it’s going to be a great day when so many show up before the actual rally time!  Rob himself was driven from the rally point to the key ceremony by Mario Andretti.  We also had a police escort and were accompanied by fire trucks; definitly a fine procession!

We arrived at SPC Kislow’s new home where a flag line had been set up beforehand and made our way to the tent.  Having gotten a chance to speak with Rob and get to know him, it was no surprise that this became a standing room only event.  During the ceremony I was able to present Rob with a flag that had been flown over our nation’s capital and to extend the WWR’s wishes that his home be filled with much happiness and peace.

After the ceremony, Rob, accompanied by his fiance Amanda Snyder and their beautiful son, cut the ribbon and we all took a tour of the home built for them

Ride Report posted by Lutz

When the WWR receives a super-short notice mission request, that negatively ffects the numbers who can come out.

NOT!

It was a tremendous response on a beautiful late November Sunday afternoon to ensure that Alex Poli takes something with him when he deploys to Afghanisan: 1. The Honor Coin and 2. The love and respect and well-wishes of the American People, represented by the Warriors’ Watch Riders.

Alex is not only a Navy corpsman but a firefighter in Roslyn, Pa. (This writer grew up on Roslyn.) We agreed to rally at the Willow Grove Park Mall for the short ride to Alex’s home, and a fire engine, ladder truck, and other members of the Roslyn Fire Department joined us there, including three friends representing other branches of the military – Army, Navy and Marine Corps.

Together we rode on to Alex’s suburban street with engines roaring and sirens blaring, bringing out all the neighbors to join us in our celebration of Alex and the wishes for his safe return next year.

Godspeed Alex! Each time you look at that coin, remeber that a grateful nation is thinking about you and will be here to welcome you home!