Ride Report posted for Paulie B

This mission was to escort 13 HEROES home from Iraq & Afghanistan from the Medford area.

We were blest with beautiful weather, 58 bikes (several were 2 up) and several new riders, visitors from our North Jersey chapter, our friends from the Nam Knights and birthday cake.

Just before I gave my pre mission briefing, from the back of the crowd came a waitress with a nice big piece of choclate cake and a candle. Everyone sang to me, I blew out the candle 3 times and we laighed. Thank you to Ron (CHOPPER) for the cake and for your lovely gesture.Thank you Ron.

Now to the briefing, I went over the schedule, asked for 13 volunteers to hand out coins to the HEROES. But first I asked Lisa(oceaneyes) and Big Daddy to present 2 of the coins, they said yes as if they had a say in it. Big Daddy & Lisa came down from Matawan for the weekend and to ride on all 3 missions scheduled for Sat & Sun. Thanks Big Daddy & Lovely Lisa.

Of course I had pre-arranged for my wife, Kathleen, aka the “BOSS” to also present a coin. And before you knew it I had more than enough people to hand out all the coins.

We lined up in our customary fashion, bikes with big flags at the front, then our package then all the rest of the bikes. Our Leo always leads the way up front, plus we had a second LEO riding as tail gunner.

1745 hours we head out on the escort which was all of 7/10ths of a mile and we made a nice big entrance, horns honking and the crowd cheering. We parked on the road, lined up and proceded down the drive to the stage setting up a flag line. What a feeling for me to be leading about 65-70 Patriots to the stage while the crowd gave us a standing ovation. I don’t know about anyone else but tring to navagiate my way to the stage with sweaty eyes was fun. Our “HEROES” lined up in front of the stage. That’s when the WWR stepped in front of each HERO and were “coined”, the emcee, Mr. Cliff Rickards did a wonderful job announcing and reading our coin symbolism to the crowd. Next came our famous “HUG & MUG” and we stood off to the side of the stage. At 1807 hours a State Police medi-vac chopper flew over as a salute. The Heroes went up on the stage and received a Burlington County Service medal and a proclamation from the Deputy mayor and WWR member and veteran of Viet Nam, Bob Martin, as the mayor read a short bio on each HERO.

Next the anthem of each branch of service was played as Veterans from the crowd and WWR were recognized for their service. Very touching when you realize how many of our Family raised their hands for the different branches. We had a lot of those standing with us raise their hands. Thanks go to these men.

I count myself lucky to be in their presence.

The ceremony concluded and the Mayor thanked the WWR for our efforts and made sure the audience knew who we were.

Cav’s Photos