Ride Report for Ride Captain Doug Askren

On Saturday afternoon the WWR and our friends, neighbors and associates were honored to meet Rear Admiral Richard B. Porterfield USN retired. The Admiral was in Naperville to honor the memory of our favorite son Commander Daniel Shanower USN. Daniel Shanower was killed in the Pentagon, during the cowardly attack of 9/11/2001. The Admiral is the keynote speaker at the Shanower memorial in Naperville on 9/11/2011.

Over 150 patriots showed up to welcome the Admiral on a beautiful, sunny afternoon. The Admiral shook hands with everyone of us. We then mounted up and escorted the Admiral and his wife to the Naperville VFW where we were met by another large group of patriots waving flags. Our motorcade was made up of over 100 motorcycles, and squad cars from Naperville PD leading the Marine One limosine transporting the Porterfields. At the VFW I presented our honor beads and challenge coin. There were many other presentations from the local patriotic and veteran groups. The Mayor of Naperville, Honorable George Pradel USMC also escorted the Admiral and his wife. The Mayor dea short, but energetic speech. The Porterfields said this was the greatest show of support they have ever experienced. Rear Admiral Porterfield said, in his remarks, that he feels the sound of freedom may be the roar of a Harley. Admiral Richard Porterfield continues to serve our country as a civilian working in the intelligence community.

Thanks to all who participated in making this day a huge sucess in honoring the Admiral and Commander Daniel Shanower. Thank you so much to the Admiral for his long and continuing service in keeping our country free. A few of us rode over to the Shanower 911 memorial monument later last night. Two beams of light were pointed high into the night shy over Old Glory and the monument. A great tribute to those who died, and those who survived this terrible and cowardly attack. It reminded me of the high price of freedom and renforced my will to do all I can to protect that hard won freedom from our unrelenting enemies, bent on taking away our way of life. That is why we ride these missions.

Respectfully,

Doug Askren