Ride Report for Ride Captain HowardK

 

On Friday afternoon June 28th Rich Kennedy US ARMY was honored for his dedicated service to our country with a Welcome Home by WWR, AHW and many friends and family in Bristol Pa.

Mike Maurizi, proud father-in-law of Rich Kennedy, decided a welcome home for his son-in-law was overdue. He also wanted Rich to visit the Bristol veteran’s memorial where his name had been inscribed. Mike contacted Warrior’s Watch and asked if we would like to assist in this ceremony. Well, you know how much we enjoy honoring our veterans for their dedicated service, so WE WERE ALL IN!

Rich Kennedy grew up in the North Park section of Levittown and is a graduate of Pennsbury H.S. . He lived in Bristol prior to joining the U.S. Army. Sgt. Kennedy served in Operation Enduring Freedom VI and VII in Afghanistan from 2006 to 2007. He was assigned to Army Intelligence.

Rich was awarded the Army Commondation Medal, 2 Army Achievement Medals, the Army Good Conduct Medal and the Combat Action Badge. After his return from Afghanistan he remained a member of the Army Reserves until 2010.

Rich is married to Nicole (Maurizi) and they have a beautiful son Crosby (11 month old). They currently live in Dunedin Florida where Rich is a teacher at the Plato Academy.

We met at the WAWA just outside of town. At 6:00, led by Bristol Borough PD, we proceeded to Farragut Avenue and arrived at the veteran’s memorial in the center of the street. The Bristol FD 25 was there with a large American flag suspended from their ladder truck. Many local friends and supporters were there to await the arrival of our Hero.

At 6:15, Rich, accompanied by Nicole and Crosby came walking around the corner with umbrellas protecting them from the light rain. Rich was wondering about the

commotion he saw around the veterans memorial site. He was surprised to find out that we were all there to greet HIM for his overdue Welcome Home.

Rich was presented our WWR honor coin by the Ride Captain and thanked for his dedication to keeping us all safe and free back here at home. Next Tom from A Hero’s Welcome presented Rich the AHW certificate giving him thanks from a grateful nation. Dutch then presented Rich with Warrior beads and explained the significance of the colors in the strands.

We then proceeded to the memorial as Rich, Nicole and Crosby saw, for the first time, Rich’s name inscribed in the stone. In true WWR tradition we then stood behind the AHW banner for our official MUGGING with cameras on the left and the Hero, friends and family on the right. WWR and AHW members and many family and friends were eager to commemorate this great afternoon on film. Channel 6 Action News was also on hand to film this ceremony for their broadcast.

Warriors Watch Riders extend our sincere thanks to Mike Maurizi and the entire Kennedy and Maurizi family for inviting us to participate in this very well deserved Welcome Home for Rich . Thank you to the Bristol Borough PD for their safe escort and to the Bristol Borough Ladder 25 FD for their impressive display of patriotism. Most of all, THANK YOU Sgt. Rich Kennedy for all you have done to protect and preserve the freedoms we all enjoy today!

 

ARMY STRONG!!

 

Respectfully submitted by RC HowardK

 

Pictures courtesy of Bikerider