AAR , Bay County Vet Center

On 23 June 2012, We were invited to ride in honor of the new Bay County Vet Center. The word was put out among different veteran riders associations ( Warriors watch, CVMA, American Legion). The weather was iffy at best. A 40% chance of rain turned into 100% quickly. As we received the call, the weather cleared. Thank you to everyone that came out in support of this great organization. The coordinator of the event, from the Vet Center, Expressed her gratitude and stated that everyone was very impressed with the turnout. After all was said and done, it was a great day.

28 Bikes

3 personal vehicles

35 members and guests

As family, friends, and loved ones gave a final salute to Ms Edna Waters, the WWR along with members of the PGR stood a flag line and tolled the bell. Ms Edna Waters, was a WWII veteran, and proud member of American Legion Post 356 for over 60yrs. American Legion Post 356 provided pallbearers. Ms Waters was interred at Evergreen Cemetery where Honors were rendered, and burial flag presented by the Ft. Rucker, Al Color Guard. Thanks to all that attended.
14 Bikes
02 Private vehicles
20 Members
RC : Charlie,

American By Birth
Biker By Choice
Patriot Always
WWR, Northwest Florida Chapter

Ride Report for Ride Captain HowardK

On Saturday morning June 16th LCPL Josh Cherry USMC was recognized for his dedicated service to our country by WWR, AHW and many friends and extended family as he returned from a ten month deployment to Afghanistan. Josh, oldest of three children of Debbie and Frank Cherry, husband of Kristin and proud father of Nathan, enjoys riding his street bike, and spending time with his wife and son. He also enjoys watching horror/sci-fi/comedy movies and adding to his collection of tattoos. He is active in the arts of MMA and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

Warriors Watch Riders were invited to participate in the welcome home for Josh by his wife Kristin who had witnessed a recent WWR Welcome Home in Springfield and asked if we would arrange the same kind of celebration for her husband. Of course we were honored to be asked. WWR and AHW rallied at Firebase 69 at 8:00AM and after being met by Kristin and Nathan, we proceeded to PHL Terminal D to await the last leg of Josh’s return from Afghanistan. Kristin and Nathan were joined by family members and by Maria from AHW as they stood at the arrival gate. Josh came through the gate and was greeted by all of the anxious welcome party. He walked hand in hand with Kristin and Nathan as they approached the escalator.

The surprised HERO was met at the escalator by a few dozen flag-carrying WWR and AHW members who lined the steps to welcome him home. He shook hands with every member as he descended. At the bottom more greeters awaited and the handshakes and hugs continued. Josh then retrieved his baggage and proceeded to the family truck for the escorted ride back to his parent’s home in Secane.

Our procession was led by two motorcycle officers from Upper Darby PD. Big flagged bikes were followed by Josh, Kristin and Nathan in their truck, and then by a couple dozen motorcycles, cars and trucks. As we approached the final destination, cars lined the street and homes were adorned with flags and Welcome Home signs. We pulled up in front of the Cherry home to the applause and clapping of many more relatives, friends and neighbors.

After greeting all of the family and friends assembled on the front lawn Josh was asked to come forward for a couple of official presentations. Vietnam veteran Pete Flowers presented Josh our WWR Honor coin and thanked him for his service, sacrifice and dedication. Next, Maria Hyland presented Josh a certificate from A Hero’s Welcome and thanked him for his service from a grateful nation. Finally, Nathan Cherry was presented a Kathryn Fialkowski Memorial certificate and was given a button reading “Born in the USA”.

In true WWR tradition we then stood for our official MUGGING with cameras on the left and the Hero and friends on the right. Standing in front of the Cherry home, WWR members and many family and friends posed for our traditional group shot, as we were all eager to commemorate this great celebration on film. After a few more hugs, and a lot more mugs we departed to allow the family and friend to enjoy Josh’s return in peace.

Warriors Watch Riders extend our sincere thanks to Kristin and Nathan, to Frank and Debbie and the entire Cherry and Hughes family for inviting us to participate in this very well deserved welcome home for Josh. Thank you to A Hero’s Welcome for making this such a proper welcoming ceremony. We would like to thank the Upper Darby PD and especially Officer Nestel and Officer Dockery for their safe escort and patriotic support and thank them for joining in this Welcome Home ceremony

SEMPER FI

Respectfully submitted by RC HowardK

Pictures courtesy of Bikerider

Ride Report for Ride Captain GPopss

Warriors’ Watch Rider’s received a request from Member’s Steve and Lynn Robertson to help them Welcome Home their son Tyler upon his safe return from deployment in Afghanistan! In October 2011 we had the privilege of sending Tyler off, and we couldn’t wait for his return!

When we surprised him in October his family and friend set him up to come to our rally point at a local convenience store by saying his friend was stranded there, his car had broken down. This time he was sent to a local grocery store under the premise he was picking up a birthday cake for his mom’s 50th birthday! Well Tyler, you’re the only one that was getting a surprise this day!

About 30 Warriors’ Watch Rider’s Member’s were joined by A Hero’s Welcome and Lower Salford PD at our rally location. We set a flag line for Lt. Robertson’s arrival. On his way to the store he told his wife Kristin that his spider senses were tingling! They arrived and were welcomed with shouts of welcome home. Tyler and Kristin exited their vehicle and a line of member’s assembled to greet and hug Tyler as Kristin stood behind her husband wiping happy tears from her eyes.

We were escorted the 2 miles down route 113 in Harleysville and turned off to the side street to the family home. We typically make a lot of noise, but as we neared our destination the noise level went up a few decibels as we were greeted by several Harleysville Fire Department Vehicles and about 100 friends and neighbors!

We pulled into the driveway and gathered by the house to formally welcome Tyler home and present him with A Hero’s Welcome Certificate. This day was a bonus mission and we also presented Tyler’s brother Sr. Airman Ian Robertson with our honor Coin and certificate.

We wrapped up our mission by singing Happy Birthday to Lynn and gathering for a group shot. Thanks to the Robertson Family for allowing us to join them in their celebration and a job well done by all.

Ride Report for Ride Captain Navy Chief (George)

After a little rain the sky turned to blue as a small group of Warrior Watch Riders, along with AWH made the short trip from the Tinicum Fire Department to the Airport to help the family of CPL. Smith welcome home this hero.  We were escorted to the airport by the Tinicum Police Department who did an outstanding job, being the end of rush hour.  Our Hero is also a member of the Tinicum Fire Department who also was part of the escort with no fewer than 7 pieces of fire apparatus.  Once we arrived at the airport the Philadelphia Airport Police did a great job in helping us with traffic.  The only issue was that the plane arrived early and CPL. Smith was just coming out side as we all rode up, the look on his face was one of pure shock.  We  did a quick mug and hug outside the terminal and then our hero was loaded into one of the fire engines for the short ride back to the fire house.

Once back at the fire house we had the chance to present CPL. Smith with our Coin and AWH presented him with the honor certificate.  What a humble man CPL. Smith is all he could tell me was about the two best friends he lost over in Afghanistan and how he wanted to make sure that they were never forgotten.  Once we were done with this part of the welcome home we were all invited into the meeting room of the fire house where the Tinicum Board of Commissioners presented him with a place for his dedication and service to this great country.

I want to thank the Tinicum Fire Department, Tinicum Police Department, Delaware County Sheriff’s Department, Philadelphia Airport Police for all that you did to help make this mission possible.  To the family of CPL Smith, thank you for allowing us to be part of the welcome home for this hero.

Respectfully submitted

George

(Navy Chief)

Ride Report for Ride Captain HowardK

In the early morning hours of Thursday June 7, LCpl Tommy Scott USMC was welcomed home to Philadelphia after serving an eight month tour of duty in Afghanistan. WWR were invited to assist in surprising Tommy at the airport and to provide an escort back to his south Philadelphia home. Since that’s what we do best, of course we were honored to oblige.

Tommy has served in the United States Marine Corps since January 2010. He is currently a member of 1st Div, 2nd Bn, 11th Reg, Golf Battery out of Camp Pendleton, Ca. He now is returning from eight months in Afghanistan.

Warriors Watch Riders were invited to celebrate Tommy’s safe return and to recognize and honor his military service by his very excited mother Debbie. Tommy’s extended family including his mother, father, grandfather, aunts and uncles as well as his neighbors and friends were all there to make Tommy’s return a big cause for celebration and gathered in front of the flagged and sign-adorned family home in South Philadelphia.

We met at Firebase 69 at 5:30AM and following a ride briefing to some half-sleeping WWR and AHW members, proceeded to PHL Terminal D to await Tommy’s return. The family had already arrived at the airport and Tommy’s Uncle (a member of Philadelphia PD) had arranged for them all to greet Tommy at the arrival gate. After leaving the arrival gate the family walked with Tommy as he neared the escalator. There he was greeted by about two dozen flag-carrying WWR and AHW members who lined the steps along side the escalator. The very surprised returning hero was greeted by all members as he proceeded down the escalator.

At the bottom of the escalator Captain Dan of A Hero’s Welcome waited. Standing next to the yellow-ribbon covered sign of A Hero’s Welcome, Dan presented Tommy a certificate recognizing his service and sacrifice and offered him thanks from a grateful nation. After retrieving his bags, Tommy jumped into the green Jeep driven by his mom for the final leg of his trip back home.

Led by a Philadelphia Police escort and accompanied by four Philadelphia PD motorcycles and two more patrol cars, officers CLOSED DOWN route 95 north allowing our column to proceed unhindered. We exited near the Walt Whitman bridge and made our way along Front street and turned down the final street. There we saw many homes with WELCOME HOME signs and flags and reached the Scott home which had USMC and American flags flown from the telephone pole.

LCpl Tommy Scott USMC was presented our WWR honor coin by the Ride Captain as he was thanked for his service, his sacrifice, his families sacrifice and for his dedication to keeping us all safe and free back here at home. We then had the honor of calling forward Tommy’s grandfather George Szpyrka who was a Spec 5 in the US ARMY and was in Vietnam 66-67 and Tommy’s uncle, Raymond “Scotty” Scott who was a Spec 4, Vietnam 70-71. They were each welcomed home and presented a WWR Honor coin and thanked for their service and sacrifice to our nation. Neither had ever received a welcome home since their return more than 40 years ago.

We then formed for the traditional WWR mugs with the family and friends as many pictures were taken to commemorate this well- deserved Welcome Home celebration. After mugging and hugging we departed to allow Tommy and the Scott and Szpyrka families to enjoy and celebrate his return in peace.

We would like to thank the Philadelphia Police Department for their exceptional role in leading this welcome home escort. We would also like to thank Philadelphia FD Engine 53 for their participation and patriotic support. Most of all, Warriors Watch Riders would like to thank Debbie and Tom Scott and the entire Scott and Szpyrka family for the honor of participating in this very well deserved Welcome Home recognition ceremony.

Respectfully submitted by RC HowardK