Ride Report for Ride Captain Sarge

WWR,

On 5/29/2012 the Panama City Garden Club held their Memorial Day Service. The WWR respectfully formed a gauntlet with our flags that extended from the club house to the Memorial Monument. Brigadier General John McMullen assisted Ex-POW Nicholas Colagiovanni in placing a commemorative wreath at the base of the Memorial Monument. Colors were hoisted and then lowered to half staff by members of Amvets Post 2298. Taps was flawlessly performed by a Bay County Sheriffs Deputy. At the completion of the Memorial Service, member Michael Ward presented a Warriors Watch Coin to Ex-POW Mr. Colagiovanni in appreciation for his service to a Great Nation. Thanks to all that attended.

10 Bikes

4 Private Vehicles

16 members

Reality! What a Concept
Sarge
ASC
Warriors’ Watch Riders
Northwest Florida Chapter

Ride Report for Ride Captain Tim

WWR,

On June 2nd, 2012 the WWR proudly stood a flag line and tolled the bell for Robert Thompson. Robert was a retired Air force Veteran, and newly elected Mayor of Callaway Florida. Robert was a Pillar of the Community and a proud supporter of all Veterans. Rest in Peace Robert.

18 Bikes

03 Private Autos

23 Members

Proud to be a Member,
Tim
ASC
Warriors’ Watch Riders
Northwest Florida Chapter

Ride Report for Ride Captain HowardK

On Saturday June 2nd Tech Sgt. James Tillery USAF celebrated his return from a six month tour of duty in Afghanistan . James’ wife Annette asked WWR to assist in surprising him during a block party in his honor, and you know how we like a good party!!

James, a graduate of Gratz HS, has served 20 years in the United States armed forces, first in the US Army and currently as a member of the United States Air Force. He has been previously deployed in Kuwait and served in Operation Iraqi Freedom. He now is returning from six months in Afghanistan.

Warriors Watch Riders were invited to celebrate James ’safe return and to recognize and honor his long and dedicated years of service by his wonderful wife Annette. James’ extended family as well as his neighbors and community also helped make James’s return a big cause for celebration and had organized a neighborhood block party in his honor.

We met in the Walgreen’s parking lot on Cheltenham Ave and proceeded to the Tillery home when called by Annette. About 20 WWR motorcycles and cars made the short ride to the block party with horns honking and engines revving. We passed under the yellow tape which had been strung to close the entire block and pulled up directly in front of a very surprised Sgt. Tillery. Family, friends and neighbors had assembled in front of the home to meet our column. A DJ had set up a large tent complete with large speakers and wireless microphones and a children’s inflated play cube was up and running when we arrived.

We then met James, his family and his neighbors and friends. WWR thanked James for his service, sacrifice and dedication to our nation. WWR USAF veteran Dutch came forward, offered James a warm USAF Welcome and presented him with our Warrior’s Watch Honor coin. Calamity Jane followed Dutch as a representative of A Hero’s Welcome (she’s also a very dedicated WWR member) and read from a certificate she presented to him thanking him for his service and sacrifice from a grateful nation. Following the presentations to James a number of family members with lengthy military careers were called forward and recognized for their service to our country. They included Annette Tillery who served six years in the US Army, Jeffrey Tillery a 20 year US Navy veteran who served in the Gulf; and James Deloach whose six year US Army career included service in Germany and Korea. We were also very proud to call forward additional family members who had served in WWII, Korea, Iraq, and many other conflicts and wars. Each came forwarded and were given huge applause for their service and sacrifice to our country. The neighborhood block leader then capped off the celebration with a short speech thanking James and his family for all of their service and commitment to our nation and thanked all members of the United States armed forces for the freedoms they protect for all of us.

James’ family who assisted in this celebration were: mom and dad Frances Worthy and Robert Tillery, son James, sisters Barbara, Victoria, Carol and Robin as well as his brothers Jeffrey and Jermaine. Also in attendance was his brother-in-law James Deloach, aunts and uncles James and Linda Williams as well as Pete and Gwen Williams and Great Aunt Netta all contributed their support and recognition.

James then was escorted by a flagged RC motorcycle on a tour of the neighborhood as he rode on the back of Dutch’s Harley. 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 James and his family to enjoy and celebrate his return in peace.

Warriors Watch Riders would like to thank Annette and the entire Tillery family for the honor of participating in this very well deserved Welcome Home recognition ceremony.

Respectfully submitted by RC HowardK

Pictures courtesy of: Sean Carpenter, Mack and Bikerider

Ride Report for Ride Captain Sarge

WWR,

On 5/31/2012 the WWR had the honor of escorting 20 Wounded Warriors through the community of Port St Joe, Fl. The motorcade assembled at WindMark Condos’

and proceeded to the Centennial Bldg in Port St Joe. Lead by Law Enforcement, 22 motorcycles led 20 convertibles, each carrying a Warrior to our destination.

Along the route people cheered and waved flags as the motorcade passed by. Upon arrival at the Centennial Bldg the Honor Guests were greeted by a flag line consisting of Boy Scout Troop 47, Cub Pack 347, local WWR Riders, and guest riders from several local Veteran support organizations.

Arrival at the Centennial Bldg kicked off the start of the Forgotten Coast Warrior Weekend, an event filled with all sorts of activities. The event is designed with the Heroes in mind, and aims to show that a Grateful Nation recognizes and appreciates these Heroes and their families. Brother’s and Sisters must never be forgotten.

Thanks to all that attended, and a special thanks to Daryl and Carol Hertz for the display of Military flags and photos, and to the community of Port St. Joe, for an Honor Well Done.

22 Bikes

01 Private auto (thanks to the Hertz’ and a support trailer full of static display)

25 Members

Reality! What a Concept

Sarge
ASC
Warriors’ Watch Riders
Northwest Florida Chapter

Ride Report for Ride Captain Silverhawk

We were invited by the Vietnam Veterans of America Tri-state Chap. 623 to participate in the Memorial Day Parade in Milford, PA.
Several NEPA and E NY members along with a few American Legion Riders rode lined up by the park in Milford and rode the parade route lined with people.  It was a beautiful day and the organizers said it was the best turnout ever.

At the conclusion of the parade, there was a brief ceremony honoring our fallen heroes.  The keynote speaker was Marine Corps’ Col. Stephen P. Corcoran.
Col. Corcoran’s speech was quite inspiring and here are portions of it as posted in the Pike County Disptach:

Ride Report for Ride Captain Grizzly609

With members from multiple groups, and lots of new faces we left FB168 (dad forgot where we were meeting) and headed for FB69.  After enjoying the shade for a few minutes, it was REALLY hot, and trying to reach dad with a bad cell number we headed for the American Airlines terminal at Philadelphia airport.  After checking with the info desk and discovering that the flight was 7 minutes late, Tug and I went in search of dad in the terminal.  Finding the whole Meyers family standing by the arrival door we staged all of the riders along the escalator and as Brendan rounded the corner he was greeted by about 20 of his newest closest biker friends.

After we got 3 car loads of family gathered together we headed for NJ.  The ride was pretty uneventful until the hamster in my head fell off the wheel at the exit and we passed it.  After a U-turn we were back on track and headed down route 49 through Cumberland County where we were intercepted by the NJSP.  As we neared Tuckahoe we were met by fire and EMS from Marmora and So. Seaville who led us in the rest of the way.

Brendan’s friends and family were thrilled to see us turn down their street in Palermo with their hero in tow.  After lots of hugs and kisses from everyone it was time to have the privilege of presenting Brendan with an honor coin.  Brendan and his family were then interviewed by WMGM TV 40 and Brendan’s dad made an effort to thank everyone individually for bringing his son home.

Thank you Tug for making my first PHL RC escort easy and thank you to all the riders, Police, Fire and EMS for keeping us safe coming in.  And most importantly, thank you Brendan for your service to our country and his family for their sacrifices over the last year without their son.

Local news coverage by WMGM TV 40: http://www.nbc40.net/news/22553/video

Grizzly609

Ride Report for Ride Captain Taz

On Memorial day we stood flag line at the request of Post 253 out of Salem, NJ, at the Salem County Veterans Cemetery in Pilesgrove, NJ. We had 30 bikes attending, along with us was, the Second Brigade MC, Patriot guard and the Legion riders. There was a 21 gun salute and taps played after the salute, to honor our fallen. It was a hot and humid day but, can you imagine what our veterans went through, I say, this was a very small sacrifice to do compared to what they went through in battle!! Thank you to all our Veterans everywhere past and present, if it was not for your hard work and love for our country, we as the United States of America would not have the freedom that we have the today!! Most people really forget what Memorial Day is really about, its’ not about barbeques and going to the beach, these things would NOT be possible if it wasn’t for our fallen soldiers, least we call it “Memorial Day”!!!!! Thank you to Post 253 for having us there, it was a honor to stand with you on this day. God Bless the United States of America now and forevermore!!!

Respectively

Taz

Ride Report for Ride Captain Underbird

SEPA going to Vermont

In 2000 the town of Morristown VT set out to commission a Veteran’s Memorial, it never really got any traction until ten years later. In 2010 a board of 7 got to work in creating a beautiful place they could properly recognize all the men and women, who at time of enlistment, called Morristown VT their home. There were many bumps along the road to completion, including a hurricane in the Green Mountains of Vermont. The storm took its toll on the physical foundation of the monument sight but not on the hearts of those involved. A minor delay in the big picture, it merely meant delaying the dedication from Veterans Day 2011 to Memorial Day 2012.

The wall lists the names from WWI, WWII, Korea, Viet Nam and every duty station moving forward. At present, over 1135 names are carved into the stone, a sizeable number for such a small community. The town is no stranger to patriotism and sacrifice.

It was an honor to be RC for the first Warriors Watch mission in the state of Vermont. I could not have dreamed how much it would mean when a friend told me about the dedication in his father’s home town. His father and four uncle’s names are carved into the granite of the memorial, forever to be recognized by a nation for their honor, bravery and sacrifices. As this mission took shape and more people chose to ride, it made me more and more proud to call them all my brothers and sisters.

On May 28th, 2012 16 motorcycles took their place in a parade to honor the fallen in the name of freedom. At the end of the half mile procession, we dismounted and formed a flag line adjacent to the podium and the memorial. A forecast of afternoon showers did not discourage us from the task at hand. When in fact it was the few drops of rain that fell during the dedication speech that made me feel as if the tears of the memorialized were somehow showing their approval and saying a final farewell.

The 14 riders from PA were welcomed in the town with open arms. It was felt from the very moment we rode in until the last brake light rode out of town. For a week prior, radio stations made announcements about the events of the day and they included that rider from the Warriors Watch of Pennsylvania would be attending. As we spent our weekend, at diners, shops and fuel stops, we were thanked for coming to be a part of their Memorial Day and noted how far we came for them. As I sat reflecting on the weekend,

I realized their Memorial Day was our Memorial Day, no matter where you are or who you are with it only matter that you honor those who passed in defense of freedom. It truly was an honor and a privilege to be part of the Morristown Vermont Memorial Day Observance and Veterans Monument Dedication.

Side notes: During the weekend, a trip through the Green Mountains and around Lake Champlain was topped off with introduction to a couple from Plattsburgh NY. Phil was coined as a Viet Nam Vet and they joined us for the dedication and parade. While we were on our way home we received confirmation they had registered as Warriors Watch Riders. Their intention is to start another NY chapter. Not so much to our surprise, the State of Vermont now has a new SC in the works. The fire chief for Morristown Vermont has registered as a Warriors Watch Rider and will be spending the next few weeks organizing the Vermont Chapter, he himself an Iraq war veteran.

Ride Report for Ride Captain Wil Janson

At the request of Sarah Perthes, Program & Event Coordinator West Laurel Hill Cemetery and Deputy Chief Steve Weber, Union Fire Association Lower Merion Township Fire Department, the Warriors’ Watch Riders were asked to stand colors during their tribute honoring the Military, Police, Fire & EMS.

Sixteen members of the Warrior’s Watch Riders formed a flag line on both sides of the road. Shortly after 2pm an Honor procession lead by the Lower Merion Police followed by Bagpipers and a Civil War Honor Guard, members of the Marine Corps League, the Vandiver-Moylan American Legion Post 355, and honored guests walked from the cemetery office under a fire department arch set up by the Gladwyne and Union Fire Association to the cemetery monument honoring America’s heroes.

After all had passed our flag line, the WWR fell in behind the procession and formed a flag line on either side of the monument during the ceremony. There were several guest speakers, and wreaths were laid for the five branches of the Military, Police, Fire and EMS. The Civil War Honor Guard fired several vollies from period black powder rifles. Taps played and doves were released at the end of the ceremony.

Respectfully submitted,

Wil Janson