Ride Report posted for Paulie B

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This mission was one to remember.About 25 bikes and 1 cage showed up, several bikes arrived in 2 up fashion, so figure about 30-32 members of the “FAMILY” and our extended family were present.

Our friends from the Nam Knights & American Legion Riders were on hand to help welcome our HERO home. On top of the great start we had a lot of firsts. What a list, here we go and I will try to list them as close to the order they occured. We had two youngsters in our flag line at Champps restaruant. Then Ron (Chopper) & Bill (Sidecar) were talking to several couples who stopped at the front door to ask what was going on. Next thing you know two of the men, Mr. Joe Vento( not the cheese steak guy) and Mr. Bob Arsenault, a proud Marine Vet were standing in line. And of course we gave them vests to wear and flags to hold. Mr Vento said ‘But now I need a bike” to which my reply was “That’s not gonna happen you got a better chance of getting pregnant before anyone would part with their scoot”. He loved it and we all laughed. While waiting for Capt Matt Schnell and his family, the hostess came out to let us know it would be 10 more minutes because the DJ inside was making an announcement to all the diners that there was a true American HERO in the house. A loud cheer and BAM our guy was at the door with his son in his arms and his wife,Paula and their daughter behind. We greeted our HERO, gave him our world famous “MUG & HUG”. Capt Schnell was awestruck and it was he was looking a little tired from his 3 am arrival in Baltimore. So now we escort the family to their home with traffic stopping, horns honking and lights flashing.

As we pull up to the house, there was the Yellow Ribbon Club family, Evesham FD,EMT’s and the huge American flag hanging from the fire truck ladder. What a sight.

Now another first, William presented Capt Matt Schnell with our honor coin. It was Williams first presentation. William comes to our missions in his pickup truck and he lives in Delaware. Thanks William, you did a great job.

Capt Schnell’s wife Paula told me that she invited a few of Capt Matt’s closest friends form his unit. Well it turns out that 5 of his buddies were present. Another first for us(as far as I am aware of) we had a six fer. Your reading it right we got to give out 5 more honor coins to Capt Matt’s friends. If my math is right, we gave 6 coins to 6 HEROES! After William presented to Capt Schnell, and a rep from the local politicians gave a certificate, Leslie Drummond, our hostess from the YRC allowed me to be front & center when I explained that while tonights event was for Capt Schnell, we couldn’t let his brother officers go unrecognized. So thats when Tiny, Chopper and Camden Hog, Bill Todd gave coins to Capt Matt Jones, Maj Ed Markie and Capt Donovan Davis. Then Maj Charle Gilliam showed up so William presented him with an honor coin(another first for William-his first two-fer). Next our friend from the Legion Riders who had the two youngsters at the flag line, presented his Legion coin to Capt Schnell. After Capt Schnell was mugged & hugged by friends & neighbors we were standing and talking about how we all felt about the 4 extra coins we presented and here comes Sidecar with LtCol Mark MacDonald the unit Commander of the 21st Air Mobility Operations Squadron, and BAM another honor coin goes to LtCol Mac Donald,presented by Bill. Can you believe it six HEROES and six honor coins were exchanged. I need to know was this great or was this great??? Sidecar & I were getting ready to make our exit and thats when LtCol MAcDonald came over and gives Sidecar(Bill Houck) his personal unit honor coin. Talk about allergies and sweaty eyes… there will be a picture of the coin posted here when I get it.

Thanks to everyine present tonight. Thanks to our six HEROES and our six presenters, thanks to Leslie & Mike Drummond, their son, (whose name has escaped me, my CRS is kickin in here) and the Yellow Ribbon club, Evesham EMT’s, FD and LEO for the escort. And last but not least Mrs Paula Schnell, Mrs Jones, Mrs Markie, Mrs Davis, Mrs Gilliam and Mrs MacDonald for their own sacrifices here at home and for all they do for their husbands and children. For holding down the fort here on the homefront. What wonderful beautiful strong dedicated patriotic women. They all tried to make light of their actions when I thanked each of them. Each one was humble and unassuming as their husbands.

I can’t wait until tomorrw when we get to do this all over again for another HERO.

JohnDelivers- you were missed, hope it went well this morning and see you soon. Everyone asked for you.

Thanks again to everyone…

To my lovely wife,Kathleen(“BOSS”), THANKS for the pictures and for your support. See the link And oh yeah, I almost forgot- Channel 3 Eyewitness news was there watch for us on the news.

Paulie B

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