Ride Report for Ride Captain Stache
On September 29th 2012, we had the honor to welcome home Specialist Ryan McNulla. Ryan is a member of the National Guard, two events moved him to serve, and one was Sept 11. He was 13 years old at that time, and anxiously waited  for his father to come home from work in Newark. The second event was the return of local serviceman Sean Kelly who was killed in action in Afghanistan. Ryan saw how Pitman came together to show support for the family to bring Sean back home, and as a result signed up with the National Guard on Feb 17, 2006 before graduating High School. Ironically, at his High School Graduation Ryan was awarded the Sean P. Kelly Scholarship for his commitment and dedication to athletics and country. Ryan put his college education on hold to attended Boot Camp in September of 2006 at Ft. Jackson SC and was later sent to Ft. Eustis VA to finish his AIT training as an Electronics Mechanic working on Black Hawk Helicopters. Ryan graduated from AIT in June of 2007 and began his college education. Ryan would go on to train once a month and two weeks during the summer as required by the National Guard until he received a phone call in December of 2010 when his unit asked for volunteers to go to Kosovo in support of KFOR, a coalition NATO force to keep the peace in the region. Ryan would again put his college education on hold for another year as he was deployed almost 10 years to the day of the 9/11 attacks. Ryan is an E-4 Specialist and he has received the following awards and acknowledgements:

Awarded: National Defense Service Medal; Army Service Ribbon; Basic Aviation Badge; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Army Achievement Medal; Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal; Army Overseas Service Ribbon; Kosovo Campaign Medal
NATO Non-Article 5 Medal; Armed Forces Reserve Medal with ‘M’ device; German Armed Forces Badge for Weapons Proficiency (Schützenschnur)
 
Approximately 40 bikers showed up in support of Ryan and his family. We rallied at a nearby location, Dad and Grandmom were on hand to see how many showed up and were in awe when bikers kept showing up! After a briefing with everyone and Washington Twp Police, we saddled up and were on our way to Ryan‘s Apt. We made ALOT of noise! When we stopped and parked, I had gone up to knock on Ryan’s door. He had heard us pull up, how could you not with 40 of us, but never thought we were there for him ! After he answered the door, I asked him if he was Ryan and he said yes, although I think reluctantly! We all yelled WELCOME HOME!!! Then we did our mug and hug thing! When that was finished, I told him there’s more!! We had a special surprise, one of our brothers had an extra helmet and Ryan rode on the back of fellow biker! His girlfriend also took part in the procession by taking his car and getting in with us! Washington Twp Police did an excellent job with the escort and we thank them very much for that! As we got close to Ryan’s mom and dad’s house for part 2 of the celebration. Pitman PD took us the rest of the way and also did a great job blocking intersections, letting us run some red lights and making Ryan feel like a Rock Star! Also want to give a thank you to Pitman PD and Pitman Fire and Rescue Squads for being at the house waiting for our arrival! After we parked, Ryan received proclamations from the Mayor and also the County Freeholder honoring his service! Then it was our turn to hand him our honor coin! Again he was mugged and hugged by all in attendance! Spending some time with the family after it was over, they still could not believe how many of us rolled in to give him the welcome home he deserved! We found out Grandmom was on the phone with Lisa (Ryan’s mom) during the escort, she loved running the red lights and was very impressed by the way Pitman PD blocked for us! Again thank you Ryan and of course WELCOME HOME!!!! 

 
RC : Stache