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From the Gazeebo...  

WWR: A Very Special Memorial on Memorial Day

A lot of good things happened over this past Memorial Day Weekend. The Warriors' Watch Riders were so busy keeping committments for various events and parades and fundraisers that I would be surprised if any of them actually found the time for a backyard BBQ'd burger and a beer. If anyone knows the "true" meaning of Memorial Day, its you folks. But more than just knowing, you go out and show your patriotism with concrete, visible public actions. You walk the walk.

The degree to which this was witnessed by the general public is shown in the dramatic spike in interest in our website and in new memberships over the past several days. People see you doing good things and they wish to be part if it themselves, and that is the value of public activity - the more who see, the more joing, the more gets done next time in support of our troops, and our veterans, and their families.

Personally I had the most amazing weekend, just with the events that I attended. First, there was the Adam Conboy Memorial Fund event in Whitemarsh, Pa.

Space is limited here, so I urge you to read the Ride Report for this 1st Annual Whitemarsh event. (While you are there, check the Ride Reports from the New Jersy and Illionis and Florida Warriors' Watch Riders activities for Memorial day, too. )

Then there was Washigton's Crossing: Please be sure to see the excellent Ride Report posted on this by Ride Captain Kim (SGMMOM) Huggins.

The event in which we were invited to take part at Washington's Crossing was good on many levels, not the least of which is the sheer poignancy of the area where it took place. The ground on which we stood is, literally, hallowed ground, consecrated by the blood of America's most revered patriots.

The very place where Washington and his troops crossed the Delaware river on that bitter cold winter night, out matched and under fed, out numbered and under equipped, dying of disease, wounds and bitter cold. I get chills, literally, every time I place my feet on this soil and gaze across the river towards Trenton, where Washington took the enemy by surprise and turned the tide of the war in the fires of which was born the nation that you and I honor through our volunteerism.

I was honored to be one of those chosen to place a flag on one of the tombstones of the unknowns. My place was next-to-last, in honor of those lost in the War in Afghanistan, and by virture of my Army veteran status and my postion as founder of the WWR (though a misplaced comma in the program made me founder of the Army. Quite a trick!) Sitting next to me, last on the program and designated to place a flag on the last stone in honor of ALL war unknowns, was a beautiful woman dressed in black. I glanced at her name on the chair (reserved seats), then down at the program. "Ellen Sarancini, President, Garden of Reflection."

???

I turned to her. "Excuse me, ma'am. This is you?" as I pointed to her name in the program.

I was graced with a very pleasant smile. "Yes, that's me."

I looked at her, looked down again. "You're..."

"My husband was the pilot of United Airlines Flight 175 on 9/11."

Oh...My...God. Flight 175.  The plane that that was flown into the South Tower, the pilots already dead.

My friends, I don't mind telling you that I was speechless. I have never...ever...felt as honored as I felt at that moment, to be seated next to and speaking with that woman, Ellen Saracini, wife of Victor J. Saracini. And I wasn't ashamed to tell her so. "I have to tell you, and I probably sound like I'm gushing, but I am SO honored to be here with you."

She smiled with amazing grace and seemed honestly pleased. We had a nice but short conversation, during the course of which she pointed out to me that the flags we had been given to place on the tomb stones were wrapped in a "made in China" lable. "We'll have to make sure something is done about that next year," she said.

She glanced down at my wrist. "I noticed your bracelt," she said.

My nephew-in-law, Marine Sgt. Chaney, had a black metal bracelet made for me in memory of my brother. It reads " Lt. Commander David B. Lutz, USAF/USN, Beloved Brother."

"Yes, I said, he was my brother. He was a hero, too." and my voice quavered.

Just a little later, as the ceremony was ending, I put a WWR Coin into Ellen's hand and asked her to accept it as a token of my respect for her and for her terrible sacrifice. She got a little teary. She kissed me, and she said "I will remember David's name."

Ellen Saracini knows the value of remembering the fallen if anyone does - how important that is.. We were breaking down and heading out to our vehicles. Others, Kim, spoke to Ellen. We were talking about the "Garden of Reflection," the memorial Ellen is repsponsible for bringing into being. She and a committed band of volunteers collected millions to have it built - it is the official memorial to the Pennsylvania victims of the 911 attacks. Located right there in Bucks County, it was only a few miles away from where we were. So we asked her for directions, the WWR decided to make a second trip this Memorial day. Ellen, being true to the type of person she so obviously is, said that she would lead us there.

So here we were, the Warriors' Watch Riders, having just complted a very successful and poignant Memorial Day mission at historic Washington's Crossing, following a car driven by the wife of the 911 flight 175 pilot, on the way to the Garden of Reflection.

Folks, if the countryside through which we rode, following our new friend to a rendevous with glory, was beautiful, the memorial was breathtaking. It was stunning - it swept me away with it's beauty and with its symbolism. And, we the WWRiders were given a private, personal tour of this glorious and proper monument by Ellen herself.

I will not even attempt to describe it to you in words. I do ok with the written word, and I could NEVER be adequate to that task. Nothing I could write could do it justice. I ask instead that you look at the photographs taken by Kat and posted in the Completed Missions thread, and that you DEFINITELY take the photo-tour of the monument at the website, http://www.9-11MemorialGarden.Org

In the meantime I offer the two photographs below, one of me standing behind Ellen as she gives the tour, the other of the piece of the World Trade Center. I could not resist touching it, and as I did I closed my eyes tried to imagine the horror that brought it down, the heat that melted it, the terror of white-hot death that was so horrible that many choose to leap 99 stories to their deaths rather than to burn.

WWRiders, we have a new friend. I have placed links to the memorial on this website (left sidebar) and on the main WWR website. Whenever I am offered a donation to the WWR, and it happens often, I respectfully ask that person to donate instead to one of many good causes that I am aware of - Adam Conboy Fund, the Dembowski Fund, A Hero's Welcome. Now I will add the Garden to that list, so that its continued care and upkeep will be assured. If we forget our heros, if we ignore our past, we lose our soul as a Nation. We never dare to forget 911.

FUNDRAISING and the WARRIORS' WATCH RIDERS

The story above reminds me that it may be time again to remind you, the lifeblood of the Warrior's Watch, and those reading that we as an orgainzation DO NOT ACCEPT DONATIONS. The Warriors' Watch Riders does not have money of its own. We do no fundraising, we respectfully decline offers of financial aid. You will find no "donate" button anywhere on our websites, we do not hold fundraisers or "garage sales." In those cases where we want something for the group (I use the word "want" and not "need" because we "need" nothing but you, the dedicated members.) - say we want a banner, or perhaps we want to have a meet-and-greet and want food and drink - we then pass the hat among ourselves. We do not require anyone ever to put money out for this organization. And we certainly do not charge "dues" or membership fees of any kind. Once, in an airport, someone asked us what we "charge" for a Welcome Home celebration-escort. Should that ever happen to you, the answer of course is "your son (daughter,father,husband,wife, etc.) has already paid the price." We do what we do on our own time, at our own expense. We give of ourselves freely and even joyfully in thanks to those who serve their nations with such honor and humility.

There are literally millions of good causes that you can support financially if you so choose. In these financial times, it is harder for good organizations to get funding, and many good causes are in danger of going under. I am sure you have favorite charities or causes of your own, and I do too. When someone askes me if they can make a donation to the Warriors' Watch, I ask them instead to consider a donation to one of the following:

The Adam Conboy Memorial Fund

The PFC Robert Dembowski Memorial Fund

A Hero's Welcome

The Yellow Ribbon Club

The Garden of Reflection

Thank you for doing what you do - and remember, your actions in welcoming hour troops like heroes and honoring our veterans and supporting military families are cumulative. Our Vision is being realized, and together we are changing the culture, one warrior at a time!

Following are the mission itineraries for the CONFIRMED MISSIONS coming up this week, followed by a list of upcoming missions and sanctioned events. PLEASE BE SURE TO CHECK THE FORUM LINKS FOR THESE MISSIONS PRIOR TO HEADING OUT, for last minute changes, updates and times.

THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING OUR WARRIORS! TOGETHER WE ARE CHANGING THE CULTURE - ONE WARRIOR AT A TIME!

MISSION PLANNING - WEEK OF THURSDAY, MAY 28 THROUGH WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3

***

CONFIRMED MISISONS

NJ: May 31  "THUNDER IN THE STADIUM" military appreciation

SNJ, 06/02, Welcome Home Kurtis Jinks

NIL-5/27/09 Welcome Home PFC Dan McDonald

All of the above threads can be viewed even if you are not registered on the fourms. However, if you have NOT YET REGISTERED ON THE FORUMS, PLEASE DO SO NOW to ensure that you do not miss any of the excitement, planning and discussion of this upcoming activity! Click on this link and register on the forums now!

Until then: MAY GOD CONTINUE TO BLESS THIS, STILL THE GREATEST NATION ON EARTH, AND ALL OF THOSE WHO DO, HAVE, OR WILL DEFEND HER, AT HOME AND ABROAD.

- Wayne Lutz

*This newsletter is named "The Weekly Ride" or "The Ride", for short, in memory of and to honor Sgt. Jennifer Hartman, U.S. Army. Sgt. Hartman was killed in Iraq by America's enemies. She died in defense of our freedom at the age of 20. This quote from Jennifer was read at her graveside:

"It's not about what happened in the past. It's not about what might happen in the future. It's about the ride, for Christ's sake."

Click here for a Tribute to Sgt. Jennifer Hartman: "The Ride"