Ride Report posted for Paulie B

Well,well,well,so how did my first mission as the “Ride Captain” turn out?

In a word…idon’tknowwheretostart. OK so that was 6 words but WOW what an experience. Thanks to John & Red for voting for me to be RC. Sure they were the only two voting but I still won.

This mission was for a brand new MARINE, Dominick Evola, home from basic training waiting for his orders to report for duty in Afghanistan.

It was a short ride,(about 3 miles) but long on special moments. We rallied at the Medport diner in Rte 70 in Medford. Then we rode east about 2 miles to the ShopRite to meet our HERO. After the official WWR “Mug & Hug”, we escorted Dominick and his family about 3/4 mile to his Dad’s restaurant,LaBella Pizza on Rte 541 & Church Rd.

Upon arrival at the restaurant, Dominick received several citations from various organizations,Medford Returning Veterans Committee, our close friend, Col. Bancroft, U.S.M.C. retired presented our hero with a Camden County Military Service medal. Then our own “Tugboatined” Ed Devine presented with the WWR Honor coin. Here’s where it gets better, Nino De Pasquale from the MRV, our contact for the mission received his own WWR Honor coin from Redbeard. We learned that Nino is a Viet Nam veteran from our conversations regarding the mission. And you know how we do things in the Family, we never pass up the opportunity to thank a veteran. No one was more suprised than Nino. He is a quiet, unassuming gentleman whose “Thank You” was long overdue. And once again The Yellow Ribbon Club was there taking care of business.

Wait there’s more, Dominick Sr, then announced it was time to EAT. There was sausage,peppers& onions, meatballs, baked ziti,pepperoni rolls, more pasta and water, soda and 18-20 appreciative WWR members and a bunch of family and friends. Let me ask you, can I pick a mission to RC or can I pick a mission?????

Thanks to Medford PD for 3 LEO’s for our escort. Thanks to Sidecar for arranging the LEO escort.

Thanks to Mr & Mrs Evola for the great food and hospitality and for their son,Dominick, our “Hero”.

Thank you to all my fellow WWR brothers all 18 of you who came to the mission. A special “THANK YOU” to my lovely wife, Kathleen (aka the BOSS) for all the pictures. Good job Kath. And as soon as I learn how to attach the pictures, I will.

All in all, I want to say thank you to everyone for everything. I enjoyed my first mission as RC, I am still pumped.

Godspeed Dominick Evola, we are waiting for the call upon your return home. See you then.

 

 Son of US Navy veteran & Pearl Harbor Survivor-R.I.P. DAD Brother of US Navy veteran- R.I.P. BILLY Son-in-law of US Air Force veteran WWII, KOREA, VIET NAM & POW WWII STALAG 17 R.I.P.- POP ‘