This was a tag team mission for North Jersey & South Jersey chapters. We had planned to rally in SNJ and ride up to support our Sisters & Brothers with this Memorial mission, however that changed when “GILLIGAN” from our good friends, the NAM KNIGHTS, called JohnDelivers. Change in plans, we now were meeting the Nam Knights at a restaurant in Bordentown, NJ for breakfast. Thanks for breakfast to the Nam Knights. So after a great meal we head north to the rally point at the Joyce Kilmer American Legion Post in Milltown, NJ. Upon our arrival Big Daddy, NJJ SC, came over and asked me to RC this mission because back in August the “BOSS” & I did the two day Ride for the Fallen from Cape May to Homdel ans especially because Mr. & Mrs. Koch were with us all day on Sunday 8/23. At each mile marker when the runners placed a flag along the side of the road, Mrs. Koch would get out of their truck and read the bio on each & every flag placed for a Fallen Hero in Iraq or Afghanistan.  Toolman & C-Hog spent the day riding behind their truck riding as tailgunners. Toolman bonded with the Koch’s that day. And when Mrs Koch saw we were wearing our Run for the Fallen T-shirts, she started to tear up and soon we all were there with her.

Right after our LEO escort pulled into the lot we made the short ride up Main St to Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School for the Memorial service in front of the school.

Colors were presented, pledge of Allegiance and te National Anthem follwed by benediction by the pastor of the parish. You could have heard a pin drop. The emcee then read about everything that was displayed including the rifle with bayonet stuck in the ground with helmet on top, dogtags and finally the boots.  A table was et up with a single setting, red rose, lemon slice and upside down glass.

A bagpipe brigade played Amazing Grace, the song for each branch of service followed by a bugler playing TAPS. The ceremoney came to a close, we paid our respects to the Koch’s and prepared to leave. As we were about to saddle up, up walks Bubba Beason, the organizer of the NJ Run for the Fallen. While we shook hands and got caught up with Bubba, he told us he was going back to Iraq in Jan 2010 for his 7 th tour of duty. I asked Bubba where he would be shipping out from he said Baltimore(BWI) and he was promised an escort.

The ride home to South Jersey was quiet and reflective for me and the “BOSS”. When we got home we said a prayer for the Koch’s , Steven and for all those serving and those who have served.

We won’t be forgetting this mission for a while…

R.I.P. CPL STEVEN KOCH… THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND FOR YOUR ULTIMATE SACRIFICE FOR US ALL.