Ride Report for Ride Captain HowardK

 

On Friday afternoon April 5th Warriors Watch Riders were joined by A Hero’s Welcome to surprise Spc. Matthew Prestifilippo, US ARMY as he returned to Lansdale Pa for a party thrown in his honor by his mother Deb.

Matt Prestifilippo, a graduate of North Penn HS, is an accomplished wrestler. He is a 2008 PA State place winner as well as a 3 time Eastern National Champion and a 4 time Eastern National place winner.

Matthew enlisted in the United States ARMY October 1, 2010. He was deployed to Afghanistan as part of Airborne Infantry 11b 1p in July 2012. He has received the ARMY Commondation Medal, Afghan Campaign Medal, NATO Medal as well as the ARMY Achievement Medal.

Warrior’s Watch Riders were invited by Deb Triebl to surprise Matt and escort him to Blue Bell the Warriors Watch Way. Warrior’s Watch Riders and A Hero’s Welcome met at their rallye point in the Holiday Inn parking lot in Kulpsville. We then received a call from Deb that the family had returned from the airport and was ready for WWR.

WWR and AHW were led by a fleet of WWR Road Guards from the Holiday Inn to the family home in Lansdale a few minutes away where Matt was met and greeted by all of the members. Then, again led by WWR Road Guards the procession of motorcycles and cars made its way from Lansdale to the party at PJ’s in Blue Bell.

We approached the restaurant and were greeted by the Center Square FD with their ladder truck displaying a large American flag. The procession entered the parking lot and rolled up to the front door. All members and guests gathered on the steps where we then made our traditional presentations. Ed Thomas came forward to present our WWR honor coin to Matt and thanked him for all he has done for our country. Next, Maria Hyland presented Matthew with A Hero’s Welcome certificate thanking him for his service, sacrifice and dedication from a grateful nation. WWR senior member Bob then completed the short ceremony by presenting Matt with a star from a retired American flag.

In true WWR tradition we then formed for a group picture with our returning hero joined by his very proud family standing behind the Welcome Home banner.

Warriors’ Watch Riders would like to thank Deb Triebl and the Prestifilippo famiy for inviting us to be part of this Welcome Home for Matthew. Thank you to A Hero’s Welcome for your energetic and unending support and recognition of our returning heroes. We would like to thank the Center Square Fire Department for their awesome display at the restaurant A special thank you goes out to all of the WWR Road Guards for providing a safe escort to Blue Bell.

Most of all, THANK YOU Spc. Matthew Prestifilippo for your service, sacrifice and dedication to keeping us all free and safe back here at home!

 

ARMY STRONG!!

 

 

 

Respectfully submitted by RC HowardK

Pictures courtesy of Bikerider