



Ride Report for Ride Captain Dirty Dog
On Saturday March 17th, Warriors Watch Riders gathered at the shopping center at Routes 248 and 33 to give Army SPC Dallas (Dal) Wadle a welcome home he’ll never forget. Dal’s family had contacted Warriors’ Watch Riders and we took it from there.
We waited hidden from his view in an obsured section of the parking lot while Dal finished dinner. When we got the text from Dal’s mother Lori, we were ready for him! His friend drove him through our flag line; his look of surprise when he got out of the car was priceless! I told Dal that it wasn’t over yet – all of his new friends were going to escort him home and make some noise so that his whole neighborhood would know that a hero had arrived.
We mounted up, lined up, and were off! The Colonial Regional Police Department got us safely onto Route 248 and then onto Route 33. Lehigh Township Fire Police volunteer (and WWR member) Bob Wrenn had lights and sirens going as he led us to Dal’s home. Getting off of Route 33 we were treated to an awesome display of patriotism as we drove under a huge flag suspended over the road by fire trucks. Special thanks to Palmer Township and Bethlehem Township Fire Companies for being there and joining in our procession! It was heartwarming to see all of the people that lined the street by the firetrucks waving to our hero.
At home Dal was coined, given the certificate from A Hero’s Welcome, a congressional certificate of appreciation, and a flag that had been flown over our nation’s capital. Welcome home, Dal! It was an honor to shake your hand, and we thank your family for inviting us to be a part of this special day.
Submitted for ECPA by Dirty Dog
Ride Report for Ride Captain Gpopss
On 7/7/2011, Warriors’ Watch Rider’s had the privilege of sending off Marine LCpl. Tom Boran as he deployed to Afghanistan. He left behind a loving family and a 7 month pregnant wife Kelly as he went to serve Our Country, and we let him know we’d be here to greet him when he returned.
On Sunday 3/11/2012 CPL. Tom Boran and his wife had their 5 month old baby boy Michael Thomas Boran christened one week after Tom’s return from deployment, and Warriors’ Watch Rider’s and A Hero’s Welcome kept their word.
At the request of Mary Small, Tom’s Mother in Law, we gathered to help this family celebrate their special day. We rallied at a nearby shopping center and once the family had departed for the church we headed over to the house where we lined the sidewalk with our bikes and formed a flag line in the street. Most of the neighbor’s came out to join us as they had for the send off we had done and they were proud to be a part of this event.
Cpl. Boran had no idea we were there, but as they approached all that was visible was a sea of Red, White and Blue! After Tom endured a very long line of hugs and handshakes we formally thanked him for his service.
In addition, we were able to show our appreciation to Cpl Boran’s sister, Marine Sgt. Elizabeth Boran who served in the Marine Corp from 2004 through 2009 and served a tour of duty in Iraq during her enlistment. Liz was truly touched, and her allergies got the best of her after we presented her with our Honor Coin!
We all gathered for the customary group shot. As we prepared to leave the family was extremely gracious in their show of appreciation for our effort to support their Marine, and we assured them that Cpl. Boran certainly earned it!
Pics by Techgirl, DJolly and Tom
Ride Report for Ride Captain HowardK
On Sunday afternoon April 1, SPC William Schaffer III, US ARMY was recognized for his dedicated service to our country by WWR, AHW, SBMC and many friends and extended family at Philadelphia Airport International Terminal A. He had flown directly from Frankfurt Germany.
William is a 2009 graduate of Bo Manor High School in Chesapeake City MD where he was an avid cross country and track runner. He is also a big Ravens and University of Maryland fan.
William completed basic training at Ft. Jackson SC in September 2009 and completed AIT at Fort Gordon GA in February 2010. His first assignment was Schweinfurt, Germany, Company 44, CM 457. He was deployed to Afghanistan March 16, 2011 as a member of the 44th Signal Battalion Charlie. He returned March 16, 2012.William will be returning to Germany and when he returns to the US will be assigned to Aa Signal Company where he will be supporting the ARMY Southern Command.
William has earned 4 challenge coins from Command Sergeant Majors from combat commands supported in Afghanistan. He has also received 2 Stars and the NATO Medal. He will be receiving another Army commendation medal for his service with the 44th in Germany. William was runner up for the 25th Signal Battalion’s Soldier of the Quarter Board and was recommended for promotion to Sergeant. In June 2011 he was selected as Soldier of the Week.
Warriors Watch Riders were invited to Welcome Home William and provide an escort to Applebee’s in Havertown by his Aunt Susan Boran. WWR, AHW and SBMC rallied at Firebase 69 and after the ride briefing and introduction of the family proceeded together to PHL International Terminal A where we were joined by Philadelphia TV6.
William came through the doors of Terminal A and was “attacked” by his mother
Carmen, father Don, sister Lynn as well as by his aunt, cousins, girlfriend and his girlfriend’s parents. Even infant cousin Jaidyn gave William a big hug. WWR and AHW then formed two flag lines on both sides of the terminal entry and William continued between the flag lines shaking hands and receiving a warm welcome from every member.
The entire group then proceeded downstairs to the front of Terminal A for the escort to Havertown.
We were led from the airport by about eight big-flagged bikes followed by William and his family, and then by about two dozen motorcycles and a few cars. We proceeded south on RT 95 and then up the Blue route where we were met at exit 9 by The Havertown Police, The Marple Twp PD and the Manoa Fire department for the final leg of the escort to Applebee’s Restaurant. We arrived at the restaurant in our usual QUIET manner, well maybe we did honk the horns and rev the engines a bit, and all gathered in front of the restaurant.
William was presented a Warriors Watch Honor Coin by Jeff Story and was then greeted by Maria Hyland and presented a certificate from A Hero’s Welcome to recognize his dedicated service to our nation and offered thanks from a grateful nation. In true WWR tradition we stood for our official MUGGING with William and his extended family after which we allowed them all to go into the restaurant to celebrate Williams return in peace.
Warriors Watch Riders extend our sincere thanks Susan Boran and the entire Schaffer and Eason family for inviting us to participate in this very well deserved welcome home for William. Thank you to A Hero’s Welcome for making this such a proper welcoming ceremony. We would like to thank Second Brigade for their participation and recognition of SPC William Schaffer. We really would like to extend our greatest thanks to The Havertown Police, The Marple Township Police and The Manoa Fire Department for leading us safely to the Manoa Shopping Center and for their strong show of patriotism and support. Also, thank you to Fred Sonsalla and the staff at Applebee’s in Havertown for their support and assistance in arranging this Welcome Home for our HERO.
ARMY STRONG
Respectfully submitted by RC HowardK
Pictures courtesy of Bikerider
...WE WILL HONOR OUR NATION’S WARRIORS HERE AT HOME, AND SUPPORT THEIR FAMILIES WHILE THEY FIGHT FOR US ABROAD...
...THE WARRIORS’ WATCH RIDERS ENVISION A DAY WHEN EVERY MEMBER OF THE UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES, AT HOME AND ABROAD, AND THEIR FAMILIES, FEEL APPRECIATED, HONORED, RESPECTED AND LOVED BY THE CITIZENS THEY RISK THEIR LIVES TO PROTECT...
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