The Veterans Day Parade and Celebration in Lower Makefield Township was a real success. Posted with short notice when the event in Media, PA was cancelled, we still had 20 bikes show up at our main rally point at the Pathmark in Fairless Hills. We even had a rider come down from the Poconos! The sun was out and it was a little windy and cool, but no one was complaining because it was still DRY! Once assembled, we unfurled our flags and took the 5 mile ride to the staging area for the parade. Although we still had a little over an hour wait amid the piles of leaves in the street, we met a number of new people and made some new friends, like Al – a WWII veteran who was riding in the sidecar on his sons bike. Al began by having us use his camera to take pictures of him with most of the women from our group, even having Kim sit in the sidecar for a shot. He then helped us pass the time with an endless string of jokes. Although Al was member of the American Legion, he elected to ride with us instead.

This plane is a C-17 GlobMaster III, flown out of teh 732nd Airlift Squadron at McGuire Air Force Base in New Jersey. The Pilot was Major Sam Irvin.

The parade started a little late, as Congressman Patrick Murphy was held over at an earlier engagement. The WWR contingent was the largest group on bikes there and we provided escort for a bus full of older veterans also in the parade. As we made our way down Edgewood Rd. toward Pocket Park where the ceremony was to be held, the wind picked up and it got noticeably cooler. Once at Pocket Park, there were a number of speakers including Congressman Murphy, WWII vet Frank Fazzalore and the most highly decorated officer that fought in Vietnam, Capt. David Christian (US Army – Retired). The heart-felt and emotional speech given by Capt. Christian and his account of his treatment upon his return home made it all too clear the importance of what our mission in WWR means to veterans and their families. Although there was a good sized crowd in attendance at the beginning, the dropping temperature sent many of them packing, as most had not dressed for the cooler weather. Not surprisingly, our dedicated WWR crew hung in there, with Wayne presenting Capt. Christian with an honor coin as he left the stage.

All-in-all, it was a great day, with a lot of exposure for Warriors’ Watch and meaningful contacts made with key supporters of our veterans and our mission. Another notable item that was announced was the renaming and dedication of Lower Makefield’s Pocket Park as “Veterans’ Square”, a move that was passed unanimously by their Board of Supervisors. We departed Veterans’ Square at about 1600 and headed for home or any place that was warm.

It was an honor to be around and talk to some of the older veterans and listen to some of their stories, as well as to see so many people appreciate the significance of Veterans Day. This was only the 2nd year for this celebration in Lower Makefield Township and we look forward to doing it again next year in an even bigger way.

Thanks again to all in attendance. You da’ BEST!