Ride Report posted for Al Philo

Spc. Andrew Cranata thought he was being driven to a birthday party by his fiance today! Instead, he found himself being driven between two lines of nearly fifty people and flags, and thirty-one motorcycles!

This was to say “Thank You and Welcome Home” to this young American Hero.

We were lined up, in waiting for him, at the Quakertown exit of the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast extension. After the initial “mugs and hugs”, Andrew’s step-father Paul led us to the location of the Welcome Home/Birthday Party in Hellertown, PA, where the whole block was out to greet him.

It was a very heartwarming sight to see, and was captured by local Allentown, PA TV news! The joy of this family would be seen by all, and we had the good fortune to be “live at the scene”!

Sincere gratitude must be expressed to all who gave up part of their Labor Day Holiday weekend to honor this Hero. Within those 31 bikes and fifty-some people, many groups were represented, and I will refrain from trying to name them all, for fear of missing any one. But, New Jersey, Southeastern PA, and Northeastern PA were proudly represented.

Special thanks go to Andrew’s step-father Paul and friends, for choosing a route which kept the group intact, and made the intersections easy.

Shortly after Rambone “coined” Spc. Andrew Cranata, we made our departure…with hopes that this day will be remember by our young Hero and his family. I know it will be long remember by all of us!

Respectfully Submitted,
Al “Bluesman” Philo
Warriors’ Watch Riders State Coordinator, Pennsylvania Northeast Region