Ride Report posted for Bluesman


 
Thursday, September 3, 2009, was a great day for the town of Easton, PA! They welcomed home fifty-plus Heroes; Members of the 56th Stryker Brigade B Troop, 2/104th CAV. 
 
This was an extremely short-notice mission…we knew they would be coming, but the exact time and details did not get to me until that very morning. I scrambled to get the word out by email, and hit the highway, hoping that someone else would be there to meet them, at the Allentown Exit, PA turnpike Northeast Extension. Their arrival time was to be 5:30 at their armory in Easton…about twenty-five miles from the Allentown exit, but not knowing for sure what their route would be to the armory (there were some discrepancies), I was at the exit, flags unfurled, at 3:30 PM.
 
Very shortly, I was joined by about a dozen other riders, from various groups…Vietnam Veterans Motorcycle Club, American Legion Riders, Lehigh Vally HOG chapter, among others. As we sat in waiting, a PA State Trooper stopped by to join us. He informed us of a very unfortunate incident! A major accident, with fatalities, on the southbound side of the turnpike! Our Heroes were coming up the northbound side, but the traffic snafu would be a possible delay. All southbound traffic was being directed to make a u-turn, right in front of us, blocking the exit ramps from both south and northbound.
 
But, approximately 5:30 PM, we spotted two busses in the traffic, backed up to come through the toll booths. Soon, two riders came around the busses (members of ‘Nam Knights MC), and they did an excellent job of clearing traffic to allow the busses to access the shoulder, beyond the toll booths.
 
Because of the traffic snafu, a route was chosen to the armory which left other riders, waiting to join along the way, out of the route. They headed straight for the armory, and met two busloads of Heroes, and a dozen bikes there.
 
As we approached the armory, it was so obvious that tjhis town loved their Heroes! Every house was decorated, people were on their porches and lawns cheering and waving flags, anf the local high school band was playing at the armory! The throngs of family and friends was at the least, totally impressive!
 
A reception was held at the armory, we mugged, hugged, and coined a couple of Heroes who weren’t surrounded by family, and our mission was completed.
 
Welcome Home, Heroes!
 
Respectfully Submitted,
Al “Bluesman” Philo
WWR PA State Coordinator, Northeast Region