Ride Report for Ride Captain JohnDelivers

Let it be known that 30December2011 was a great day to be an American Patriot.  On this day Warriors’Watch Riders had the opportunity to Welcome Home a bona fide, real life, American Hero who goes by the name of Eric Steiner.  Eric is a Gunny SGT in the United States Marine Corp, coming up on twenty years of service to the Corp and Country.

Maybe the mild weather had something to do with it.  Maybe it being the second to last day of the calendar year had something to do with it.  Or maybe…..just maybe….it was the chance to shake the hand of, and say “thanks” to, an American Warrior home from the sandbox that brought people out. Whatever their reason, at least forty bikes and six cages gathered at the rally point awaiting a text message from Kathleen, our Hero’s bride of ten years.  When she sent word that we could make our move we hopped on our scoots and moved to just outside the front door of a local establishment.  Nothing pleases the eye more than watching the anticipation of flag waving, leather-clad biker scum waiting on a Hero.  You would have thought we were waiting to see Santa Claus.

Even the best made plans have hiccups, and so did this one.  Our man exited the store without us recognizing him.  We were lined up with a flag line and he started to slide right past our assembled throng of patriots.  Luckily Kathleen caught all our attention and we latched onto Eric before he could make his escape.  “Are you sure this is for me?” was all I heard him say.  We beat him up pretty good with hugs, hand shakes and back slaps. Talk of “Welcome Home” and “Thank you for your service” was overheard.

With LEO support from both the Washington Twp and Williamstown Police Departments we safely made our way to Kathleen’s sister’s home, a short ride away.  A family gathering was already in place at the home. Eric had just left this family party only fifteen minutes ago.  Yet while he was gone, two Washington Twp. Fire Company trucks and several neighbors and members from the Yellow Ribbon Club gathered to hang yellow ribbons along the street and line the street with flags waving patriots.

We pulled in to a rousing ovation of applause, horns, throttles, sirens, lights and bells.  The YRC took control, several presentations were made, Rick and his wife Terry presented the WWR coin and Spousal Honor Certificate.  Big Gun presented Kathleen with the WWR lapel pin.  And just in case Gunny Steiner didn’t get the message yet, he was again mugged with hugs and handshakes before we departed.

Thanks to Washington Twp PD, Washington Twp FD, Williamstown PD, the Yellow Ribbon Club, and the best group of bikers I could hope to ride with.

Respectfully

JohnDelivers

WWR,
Great mission, super turnout. We were well received this morning, and the smiles said it all. Happy New Year to all. Ride safe, and I look forward to seeing all of you next year. For those that could not attend SIMS this morning: A hardback, coffee table style book has been created highlighting the 2011 “Miracle League” softball game. I strongly recommend swinging by SIMS, saying hello, and taking a look at the book located in the lobby.

18 Members
12 Bikes
02 Trikes
01 Cage

Honor Well Done,
Tim Stockinger ASC

Ride Report for Ride Captain Danny O’Kane Captain Dan

On a sunny day, the last day of 2011 , some 40 bikes and 6 cages , escorted by Norwood , Pa. and Prospect Park , Pa. Police Departments along with the Norwood Fire Department and Ambulance Crew interrupted Sgt. Acker as he was having lunch ,to finally honor him for his service to our country 43 years ago in Vietnam .

Roy was surprised by all the attention : channel 6 Action News , State representative Nick Miccarelli , himself a combat veteran , Maria Hyland with Heroes Welcome and did I mention  40 bikers , one of them his son ,Ken “ Doc 65 “ who rides with WWR , family and neighbors .

Roy received The Heros Welcome Certificate and I had the honor to ‘ coin ‘ my neighbor and friend. Group photo , a helluva great group , and we were on our way to another mission.

God Bless Roy and his wife Roe , who helped me pull all this off. CAN NOT forget Maria who guided me thru all ropes of being a Ride Captain.

Respectfully submitted by Danny O’Kane , ‘ Captain Dan ‘.

God Bless Our Troops !!

Ride Report for Ride Captain HowardK

USAF veteran Terry T. Thomas of Stevens, Pa.  passed away suddenly on Sunday December 18,2011 as the result of a massive stroke.  At the invitation of Terry’s daughter Shelly Gibson, WWR Riders from ECPA and SEPA arrived at the home of Vonnalee (Vonnie) Thomas in the Millbrook Community in Stevens, Pa.  We were welcomed  by  Vonnie as well as by their six daughters and their husbands and most of their 18 grandchildren  The military heritage of the Thomas family was very evident as five of their grandchildren currently on active duty with the US Army , US Air Forceand US Marine Corps arrived in  dress uniforms and camo uniforms.  Each of the family members were presented “In Memorium” pins by WWR .

After meeting with the family in Stevens, the Thomas entourage led by a flagged WWR motorcycle, was escorted to the Church of the Nazarene in Ephrata. A flag line stood at the entrance to the church as family, friends, Pennsylvania State Police and neighbors gathered for the memorial service which commenced at 5:00PM.

WWR were honored to be included in this memorial to veteran Terry Thomas and thank the entire Thomas family for inviting us to attend.

Honorably submitted by HowardK.  Picture submitted by Robert Kerr.

Ride Report for Ride Captain Ironeagle

Excitement is an understatement for the family and friends of Captain Stephen Kraus who returned home after his second tour in Iraq just in time for Christmas. Complete with a Santa hat, Christmas stocking and Christmas cookies, the family and friends of US Army Captain Stephen Kraus gathered at FB 69 for a nighttime escort Stephen won’t soon forget. Rallying at 9:30pm Tuesday night, 15-20 cages rolled in to help provide the Kraus family with a rock star treatment for Stephen. Despite rain all day and wet roads, Bobcat and Cookie made sure there was at least some sort of bike presence to help ensure people knew we were coming! Capt. Kraus’ brother Matthew could hardly contain his excitement waiting outside the doors for his big brother to come. He wanted to be sure he was the first one to greet him and sure enough he did by running and leaping into Big Brother Stephen’s arms giving him a hug to make up for the ones he couldn’t give over the past year.

Caught completely off guard with the welcome response at the gate, Capt. Kraus made his way down the escalators receiving warm “welcome homes” from members of Warrior Watch Riders, A Hero’s Welcome, and complete strangers. The escort was put into motion and from the airport out rolled, what seemed to be almost a half-mile convoy, under the guidance of Philadelphia PD. To top the night off, Bensalem PD, Upper Southampton PD, Lower Southampton PD, and Warminster PD provided roadblocks, continued police escort and even some fire trucks joined he mix to make sure that Capt. Kraus had a true rock star treatment. Pulling up to his house just before midnight, the neighbors peeked out their windows to see what was happening, but we assured those who asked it was a well-deserved welcome home for one of America’s heroes. Welcome Home Capt. Kraus and Merry Christmas!