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From the Gazeebo...  

SEPTEMBER - THE MONTH OF PATRIOTSM, DUTY, POSITIVE ACTIVISM..

Warriors' Watch Riders and friends, we have a lot to cover so I'm going to get right to it...

DR. PHIL SHOW!

Our friends Mary Conboy of the Adam Conboy Memorial Fund's Operation Bedding, and Maria, of our sister group A Hero's Welcome, will be on the Dr. Phil show TOMORROW, Friday, September 18. They will be talking about veteran's and military's issues. I was also asked to be there to represent the Warriors' Watch Riders, but the taping was on September 11th at the Battleship New Jersey and I was at the Garden of Reflection Memorial Service with our Georgia Warriors' Watch Riders. 1700 Hrs EDT, on cbs. DON'T MISS IT!

Of course September is the month of the anniversary of the attacks on the United States that forced us into war. Around the nation, the 3,000 innocents lost on 9/11 were remembered and honored, and the day was commemorated in many dignified ways, as we will discuss here a little farther on. But in addition to Patriot's Day on 9/11 there are other special days to honor:

TODAY IS CITIZENSHIP DAY! As one whose spouse is a Naturalized Citizen, I know the significance of this day if anyone does. Despite all of our faults and problems, the United States of America is STILL the ONE nation that people around the world dream of entering one day. Immigrants are the strength of our American Culture, and no one loves their adopted country more than AN IMMIGRANT WHO CAME HERE WITH LITTLE OR NOTHING BUT A DREAM, STOOD IN LINE, WORKED HARD, LEARNED THE LANGUAGE AND THE CULTURE, AND TOOK THE TEST, AND RAISED THEIR RIGHT HANDS TO SWEAR AN OATH. This day is a celebration of LEGAL immigration and citizenship.

TODAY IS CONSTITUTION DAY. If you've ever ordered from the Warriors' Watch Store or the Free American Biker site, you have probably found a pocket-sized copy of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence in your package. This is because, next to the Bible and the Torah, the Constitution of the United States is the most important document ever written. All of our politicians and soldiers swear an oath to protect and defend it, and as citizens it is our moral OBLIGATION to do so as well. Please go to the Constitution Day website to read all about Constitution Day.

TOMORROW IS POW/MIA RECOGNITION DAY. This is a day when Americans across the United States pause to remember the sacrifices and service of those who were prisoners of war (POW), as well as those who are missing in action (MIA), and their families. All military installations fly the POW/MIA flag, which symbolizes the nation's remembrance of those who were imprisoned while serving in conflicts and those who remain missing.

It is particularly important for us on this day to EDUCATE THE YOUNG to ensure that the mistakes of the past and the sacrifices of our troops is never forgotten.

NEW ORGANIZATIONS CREATED TO SERVE OUR TROOPS!

We have spoken before about the founding of an offshoot of the Warriors' Watch Riders and A Hero's Welcome, the AMERICAN WARRIORS WATCH COALITION. Founded Lutz and Kat Fialkowski and Maria Heyland, the purpose of this group is to "certify" and bring together the hundreds of groups around the country whose missions are similar or overlap. We are creating a database of organizations and locations so that when a need arises in one state we can send help that is nearby. The AWWC logo is a Seal of Approval, and membership in good standing tells you that an organization is on the up-and-up and doing good work.

The AWWC also helps connect people around the country who are involved in similar projects and allows them to compare notes and share with each other what works and what doesn't. It helps member groups avoid duplication of efforts while at the same time maximizing their effectiveness. The AWWC is all-volunteer, and overseen by National Director Kat Fialkowski.

If you have or know of an organization that is involved in some sort of troop-support activity, tell them to go to the AWWC website and get information on how to make their organization more effective. Remember, the end purpose is to allow more of our troops, military families and veterans to be served.

Next, with this edition of "The Weekly Ride" newsletter, we are announcing the implementation of the "Big Brothers-In-Arms Program."

Big Brothers-In-Arms grew out of conversations between myself and Gold Star Mother Mary Conboy. As an offshoot of her Operation Bedding activities, Mary often found herself in a position that she had not foreseen - that of surrogate mother. Many soldiers were coming to Mary after returning from their deployments just to talk, soldiers who didn't have families or friends who they could turn to. Waking the sudden transition from a hot and dangerous war zone to life in the United States is often very difficult. Readjustment counseling is a real need, and available from the VA. But there is a greater need for young troops - the need to have someone to talk it out with - a non-judgmental friend in a non-threatening environment. That's one side of the BBIA equation.

The other side of this equation is the Vietnam Vet. Mary and I have both seen time and time again the compassion that so many Vietnam Vets are capable of, despite the way they themselves were treated. The Vietnam Vet is, more than most other veterans, deeply invested in seeing to it that this generation of Warriors knows that they are appreciated and honored for their sacrifices. (This discussion is not limited to Vietnam Vets, but extends to all veterans.)

A light went off in our collective minds and the Big Brothers-In-Arms program was born. The project is already attracting a lot of attention both from volunteers and the media. If you are a veteran, I am asking you directly to volunteer. What would be asked of you? If a need arises near you, you would be asked no more than to be a friend to a young solder recently returned from war. Lend an ear over a beer or coffee, let him tell you about his experiences and how the affected him.

Contact me at lutz AT WarriorsWatch DOT Org to sign up. Let me know your name and geographic location and your military experience. We will add your name to the database we are building. Mary will find the troops, I will find the vets to hook them up with.

Here's to hoping we can make a difference in the life of even one soldier. Click here to see an NBC news report on Big Brothers-In-Arms

SPECIAL EDTION OF THE "RIDE"

This weekend, I will be sending out another issue of The Weekly Ride newsletter. This rare special edition will tell a story. The past two weeks have been EXTRAORDINARY for the Warriors' Watch Riders, and for one 911 widow, and one Gold Star family. It's an amazing and long story, and I need to devote one long The Ride just to that. So check your inboxes to read about a Ride from Texas to Georgia to Pennsylvania, an Army Major named Jennifer McDonough, a retired Nocom named Dennis Winegar, an American Hero named Sgt Jennifer Hartman. We will tell the whole story with photos and links.

Until then, please check the Mission Planning Forums for upcoming Welcome Home rides - we are VERY busy and we need your support! The Mission Planning forums can be viewed even if you are not registered on the forums. 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 next time: 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"