Ride Report posted for Charlie and RiderCoachJudy

More photos at http://warriorswatch.shutterfly.com/4085

More photos at http://warriorswatch.shutterfly.com/4085

‘Pictures at http://warriorswatch.shutterfly.com/4085

Tina, the mother of SPC Carlos Lucio contacted WWR and asked if we could help welcome home her son.  He’s been away since November 2007 and returned to Hawaii after serving in Iraq.  We were trying to arrange something, but trying to deal with an escort in the middle of rush hour with no time to get the word out, proved to be an unsurmountable task — but we don’t give up.    After speaking with his mother, we decided to arrange a surprise escort from the family home on Saturday to take him to a party in his honor at a VFW about 4 miles away.  We arrived at the VFW making noise and were met by a big crowd outside waiting to welcome Carlos home.

It was a huge accomplishment that we were able to get a Chicago Police Department squad car to escort us through the busy city and into another police district!  Thank you CPD!

Carlos was indeed surprised by our arrival.  He told his mother that he wanted to come thank us because he didn’t know that we’d be getting off our bikes and out of our vehicles to come thank him.    She smiled and told him, “Carlos, they’re here to thank you!”

Originally the family didn’t know where they would have this party, and told us in a letter that  ” I would love to have everyone over to my house that night but my house is kinda small, but as a last resort I guess we can all squeeze in there like one big happy family.”  It was a very interesting ride through the busy city; we all made it in one piece!

We were entertained for a slight moment by Judy who was bent down behind the family’s pick-up truck taping over their license plates when the driver started backing up.  (Note:  Painters’ tape is gentle on the stickers-don’t use duct tape!)

The food at the party was delicious, the salsa verde was amazing, and  we truly felt like part of the family.  A huge thank you goes out to Carlos and his family.

This was Charlie’s first mission as RC.  Well done!

Also, we were remiss in welcoming first-time member, Russ, who joined us.  Welcome aboard Russ!

Some members rode their bikes as much as 60 miles into the city with temps in the 30s on the trip home.  Fortunately the snow held back until the next day.  It IS May, right?’