Ride Report for Ride Captain HowardK

On a very windy and chilly Saturday afternoon February 25th Pfc. Justin Crowell was recognized for his dedicated service to our country by WWR, AHW and many friends and extended family at the Great American Pub in Paoli, Pa.

Justin is 20 years old and a native of Phoenixville, Pa. Justin lost his mother at an early age and was raised by his grandmother. She passed away two years ago, the same month as his high school graduation.

Justin enlisted in the Army to help pave his way to college and to provide a stepping stone and better himself in the process. Justin joined the ARMY in the summer of 2010 and was deployed to Kandahar, Afghanistan as a Combat Engineer with the 55th MAC. He is now returning after 7 months away.

Warriors Watch Riders were invited to SURPRISE Justin at a Welcome Home luncheon to celebrate and recognize his service to our country by Hillary Zee, proud friend and adopted “Mom” of Justin.  WWR and A Hero’s Welcome rallied at the Paoli Shopping Center at 2:15 and received a call a few minutes later from Hillary telling us they were ready for us to STOP BY. Also joining us was Pennsylvania State Representative Warren Kampf and his young daughter. With road blockers Bobcat, Walker, Lee and George taking strategic locations to provide safety for our riders, we proceeded along route 30 and onto King Street. We then circled the GAP with horns honking and engines revving and pulled up to the flagged entrance where we were met by a very surprised ARMY Private First Class and some of his friends and family. After a couple of handshakes and pats on the back we were invited inside where the temperature was a bit warmer. There more guests were gathered to greet Justin and give him a well-deserved welcome home.

WWR thanked Pfc. Justin Crowell, US ARMY for his service, sacrifice and dedication to keeping us all free and safe here at home and presented him with our Warrior’s Watch Honor coin. He then received a certificate recognizing his service to our country, and a thank you from a grateful nation presented by Carol from A Hero’s Welcome. We then learned that Justin’s Grandfather Charles Crowell was standing at the side of the room and was a veteran of WWII. Charles Crowell was presented a WWR Honor coin by Bobcat and was thanked for his service and sacrifice. We then assembled in front of the buffet table for a number of group shots to preserve the memory of this important occasion. After a few more hugs, and a lot more mugs we departed to allow the party to continue.  

Warriors Watch Riders extend our sincere thanks Hillary Zee, Amy Sands and Charles Crowell for inviting us to participate in this very well deserved celebration of Justin’s service to our country and of his safe return. We’d also like to thank Debbie Hemcher, Manager of the Great American Pub, for her assistance in arranging this surprise recognition ceremony.

ARMY STRONG

Respectfully submitted by RC HowardK

Pictures courtesy of  Bikerider

Ride Report for Ride Captain HowardK

On a wet Saturday evening February 18th Cpl. Josh Murray USMC was recognized for his dedicated service to our country by WWR, AHW, The Second Brigade and many friends and extended family at Barnaby’s of America in Havertown, Pa.

Josh is the youngest of three children of John and Teresa Murray. He has an older brother Kevin, also a Marine as well as a sister Jamie. Josh has a son Donte and another child on the way.

Josh went to vocational school for automotive technology. After graduating high school he started repairing cars in his father’s shop but wanted to be challenged and try something different. He decided he wanted to join the Marines like his brother Kevin. Josh and his good friend TJ Procaccio made a pact to go together on the buddy system. They wanted to do something better with their lives.

Warriors Watch Riders were invited to DROP IN on a scheduled gathering at Barnaby’s in Havertown by Josh’s mother Teresa to celebrate and recognize Josh’s service to our country. WWR, A Hero’s Welcome and a large contingent from The Second Brigade led by Rabbit rallied at the Manoa Shopping Center and at 8:30. We held a ride briefing which included a minute of silence in honor and recognition of our dear friend and founding member of WWR Kat Fialkowski. We announced that this ride went on as she would have wanted and would be in her honor. We then proceeded to Barnaby’s of America a short distance away.

With road guards William, Lee, Visionrider, Walker and others in place the procession of big flagged bikes followed by many more motorcycles, cars and trucks entered Barnaby’s parking lot. A “KAT’S ARMY” banner was displayed on the windshield of the leading RC motorcycle. We circled the building with lights flashing and horns blaring and pulled up to the front door. There we were met by a very surprised Marine Corporal along with his family and invited guests. I believe the Marine’s first words were “What’s this all about?”. Well.. it was about HIM!! A line immediately formed to shake the hand and pat the back of Cpl. Josh Murray. We then provided a PROPER Welcome Home for Josh by thanking him for his service, sacrifice and dedication to keeping us all free and safe here at home and presented him with our Warrior’s Watch Honor coin. He then received a certificate recognizing his service to our country, and a thank you from a grateful nation presented by Maria and many members from A Hero’s Welcome. We then learned of a second Marine veteran of Afghanistan in attendance at the festivities and presented Cpl. Michael Morrow with our WWR Honor coin and thanked him for his service and sacrifice to our country.

Cpl. Murray was then joined by his brother Kevin (who was Welcomed Home along with TJ Procaccio a short time ago) and Cpl. Morrow. The first pictures were of The Second Brigade greeting all three Marines. Then it was time for the traditional WWR and AHW group shot (cameras on the left, riders and Hero’s on the right!) After a few more hugs, and a lot more mugs we rode into the dark night to allow the party to continue.

WWR would like to thank Teresa and John Murray and the entire Murray family for inviting us to participate in this very well deserved Welcome Home celebration for Josh. We thank the Procaccio family for their support in arranging this celebration. Warriors Watch Riders also extend our sincere thanks to Bill Hendricks, General Manager of Barnaby’s, for his assistance in arranging this surprise recognition ceremony.

Semper Fi

IN HONOR OF KAT FIALKOWSKI

Respectfully submitted by RC HowardK

Pictures courtesy of Bikerider

WWR Members,

On Wednesday, February 15, 2012, 13 bikes, 2 private autos, and 15 members participated in a flag line to honor 13 WWII Veterans for their service and sacrifice to our country. These Veterans, from the greatest generation, rose up and became truly extraordinary in the battle against world domination. They rose to the challenge and never wavered in their heroic actions to protect a way of life that our country loved and cherished. Each Veteran was presented with a medallion by the Non Commissioned Officers Association in honor of their selfless service  protecting our way of life. To these 13 Heroes we say,  “WE SALUTE YOU”

Ride report for Ride Captain Damon Russell

On an overcast and snowy Saturday afternoon on February 11th, US Army Sergeant  Jenna Stanzione was recognized for her courage and service to our country by WWR and many friends and family at the Ottsville Volunteer Fire Company #49 in Ottsville, PA.

30 year old Sergeant Stanzione of Nockamixon joined the US Army on September 11, 2000, exactly one year before the terrorist attacks. She spent this past year deployed in Afghanistan where she served as a door gunner on a UH-60M Blackhawk Helicopter with the US Army’s 101st Airborne’s 159th Combat Air Brigade, 4th Battalion, also known as “Charlie Company” of the “Blackwidows”. The Blackwidows are responsible for conducting air assaults, casualty evacuations, emergency re-supply, and transporting world leaders into and out of the region. Sgt Stanzione has received numerous medals, ribbons and awards for her service.

Warriors Watch Riders were invited to escort her to this celebration in honor of her returning home by her father Bob Stanzione, who learned of the Warriors Watch Riders from neighbor and close family friend, Jennifer Styler.

Warriors Watch Riders rallied at the Turkey Hill store on Rt 611 in Ottsville, where Sgt Stanzione was brought in by an Ottsville Fire Company ladder truck at exactly 1300 hours. While WWR members held a flag line as she arrived,  WWR members, local media and the Ottsville fire company were given a brief introduction to Sgt Stanzione and family and a “welcome Home Mug and Hug” immediately followed while we assembled the procession for the short escorted ride to the Ottsville Fire Company banquet hall just a few miles south.

Led by the Ottsville Fire company #49 ladder truck, WWR exited the parking lot, turned south on Rt 611 and traveled a few short miles to the fire company on Durham Road. The Ottsville Fire company trucks raised a flag above the open garage and honor guard stood at attention as WWR rode with engines rumbling, lights flashing, flags flying and horns honking through the doors of the empty firehouse and into the parking area behind, where approximately 150 of her friends and family received her at the Palisades District Memorial Post 399 of the American Legion’s Color Guard flanked the entrance to the Hall. Also present for the celebration was PA State Representative Marguerite Quinn of the 143rd Legislative district, who also honored Sgt. Stanzione with a citation for her brave service.

Warriors Watch Riders thanked her for her service and dedication and presented her with our Warrior’s Watch Honor coin, and Bonnie MacDade of the Warrior’s Watch Riders presented the certificate  prepared by Maria of A Hero’s Welcome, recognizing her service to our country. Warriors Watch Rider and Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association member  “JT” also presented Sgt Stanzione with an honor coin in recognition of her service to our great country.

Our very own “Meatball” then  took the opportunity to honor US Army Specialist Chuck Darbyshire,  Sgt Stanzione’s fellow  serviceman also present to welcome Jenna home, with a Warrior’s Watch Honor coin, and again, JT of the CVMA coined him as well, before everyone went inside.

The Warriors Watch Riders would like to thank Jim Keogh, Deputy Chief of the Ottsville Volunteer Fire Company #49 for their assistance in providing a safe and secure means for our mission with Fire Police blocking all intersections to the Fire Company hall. Warriors watch would also like to thank Hilary Bentman and Rick Kintzel of the Intelligencer for their coverage of the event, and getting Sgt Stanzione’s  celebration on the front page of the Sunday paper! Special thanks go out to parents Bob and Kathy Stanzione and a special shout out to Jen Styler for telling the Stanziones about the Warrior’s watch Riders!

Link to newspaper article:  http://tinyurl.com/8xogbkd

Submitted by Ride Captain Damon Russell

Photos courtesy of Damon Russell and Bonnie MacDade

Ride Report for Ride Captain Tom Van Gundy (TVG)

The Warriors’ Watch Riders had the honor of welcoming home PFC Jesse
Minick from his tour in Afghanistan.

It was a cold night in SWFL. One of the coldest for January 2012. That
didn’t matter. We had a mission to complete. A hometown Hero named PFC
Jesse Minick was returning home from Afghanistan. Jesse’s family asked
the WWR to make this homecoming memorable for their family. We stepped
up for this mission….

This was Jesse’s firs mission to Afghanistan. We were asked to be in the
airport as close as possible to the security gates to welcome Jesse home.

When our Hero arrived we welcomed him home like a Rock Star. It was
moving and emotional!! We properly coined our Hero, had him sign our
banner, and presented him with a set of our mission beads. After some
hugs, we sent him on his way to spend time with his family in Naples FL.
The local news captured Jesse’s homecoming well.
http://www.nbc-2.com/story/16449327/2012/01/04/returning-soldier-gree…

http://www.google.com/url?sa=D&q=http://www.nbc-2.com/story/16449327/2012/01/04/returning-soldier-greeted-with-warriors-welcome&usg=AFQjCNGV1LG-tuhf6YyGa_esNWC9GHWzPA

Although it didn’t make the media, we would like to thank the SWFL
ABATE, the Special Forces MG, as well as the SWFL PGR for their
assistance in this mission. You all are true Patriots.

Respectfully Submitted:
Tom VanGundy (TVG) ASC-SWFL

Ride Report for Ride Captain JohnDelivers

Twenty biker patriots, a few cages, the Somerdale Fire Department, and the Deptford Police Department converged on the Outback Steakhouse in Deptford, NJ at approximately 1830 on Feb 6th.  We heard that a bona fide American Hero, just back from serving in Afghanistan, was having dinner there with his family.

We set a flag line just outside the main door and waited for our man.  When TJ reached the door the look of surprise and happiness was all we needed to beat him up with hugs, hand shakes and back slaps.  Shouts of “welcome home” and “thanks for your service” were heard loud and clear.

We then escorted this warrior and his family home, WWR style.  Somerdale FD took the point and had the lights and siren going the entire time.  Deptford PD, Gloucester Twp PD, Laurel Springs PD all ensured we had safe passage along with more noise and lights to bring our man home.

When our procession reached the family’s street, Somerdale FD and Magnolia FD had an arch made with two ladder trucks, with a large American flag hanging between the ladders, and it was all illuminated.  What a sight to behold!  We turned the corner and there they were, the patriots from the Yellow Ribbon Club.  The YRC, neighbors, friends, extended family….let’s just say a whole lot of people came out to show appreciation for all TJ Homan has done to preserve our freedom.  A few presentations were made: the Somerdale Mayor, Retired USMC LtCol Bancroft, Nam Knights, “Gunny”, WWR coin, and YRC ribbon and coin.

Thank you to the numerous Police and Fire Departments who took part in this event, awesome display of professionalism.  Thanks to the Yellow Ribbon Club and to my brothers and sisters of the WWR.  The biggest thanks goes out to TJ Homan for doing what he does, and to his family for raising a son who would put Country before self.

Respectfully submitted JohnDelivers