SEPA: Mug-N-Hug Tech Sgt James Tillery USAF

Ride Report for Ride Captain HowardK

On Saturday June 2nd Tech Sgt. James Tillery USAF celebrated his return from a six month tour of duty in Afghanistan . James’ wife Annette asked WWR to assist in surprising him during a block party in his honor, and you know how we like a good party!!

James, a graduate of Gratz HS, has served 20 years in the United States armed forces, first in the US Army and currently as a member of the United States Air Force. He has been previously deployed in Kuwait and served in Operation Iraqi Freedom. He now is returning from six months in Afghanistan.

Warriors Watch Riders were invited to celebrate James ’safe return and to recognize and honor his long and dedicated years of service by his wonderful wife Annette. James’ extended family as well as his neighbors and community also helped make James’s return a big cause for celebration and had organized a neighborhood block party in his honor.

We met in the Walgreen’s parking lot on Cheltenham Ave and proceeded to the Tillery home when called by Annette. About 20 WWR motorcycles and cars made the short ride to the block party with horns honking and engines revving. We passed under the yellow tape which had been strung to close the entire block and pulled up directly in front of a very surprised Sgt. Tillery. Family, friends and neighbors had assembled in front of the home to meet our column. A DJ had set up a large tent complete with large speakers and wireless microphones and a children’s inflated play cube was up and running when we arrived.

We then met James, his family and his neighbors and friends. WWR thanked James for his service, sacrifice and dedication to our nation. WWR USAF veteran Dutch came forward, offered James a warm USAF Welcome and presented him with our Warrior’s Watch Honor coin. Calamity Jane followed Dutch as a representative of A Hero’s Welcome (she’s also a very dedicated WWR member) and read from a certificate she presented to him thanking him for his service and sacrifice from a grateful nation. Following the presentations to James a number of family members with lengthy military careers were called forward and recognized for their service to our country. They included Annette Tillery who served six years in the US Army, Jeffrey Tillery a 20 year US Navy veteran who served in the Gulf; and James Deloach whose six year US Army career included service in Germany and Korea. We were also very proud to call forward additional family members who had served in WWII, Korea, Iraq, and many other conflicts and wars. Each came forwarded and were given huge applause for their service and sacrifice to our country. The neighborhood block leader then capped off the celebration with a short speech thanking James and his family for all of their service and commitment to our nation and thanked all members of the United States armed forces for the freedoms they protect for all of us.

James’ family who assisted in this celebration were: mom and dad Frances Worthy and Robert Tillery, son James, sisters Barbara, Victoria, Carol and Robin as well as his brothers Jeffrey and Jermaine. Also in attendance was his brother-in-law James Deloach, aunts and uncles James and Linda Williams as well as Pete and Gwen Williams and Great Aunt Netta all contributed their support and recognition.

James then was escorted by a flagged RC motorcycle on a tour of the neighborhood as he rode on the back of Dutch’s Harley. We then formed for the traditional WWR mugs with the family and friends as many pictures were taken to commemorate this well- deserved Welcome Home celebration. After mugging and hugging we departed to allow James and his family to enjoy and celebrate his return in peace.

Warriors Watch Riders would like to thank Annette and the entire Tillery family for the honor of participating in this very well deserved Welcome Home recognition ceremony.

Respectfully submitted by RC HowardK

Pictures courtesy of: Sean Carpenter, Mack and Bikerider