Ride Report posted for Len Nikoden

Our welcome home started out with the usual Bucks County Gang having our pre-ride meal.  While having breakfast a young fella named Stanley Beckert happened to be seated near us.  We all noticed he had a Navy hat on and gave him a warm “thank you for your service!”  He told us he served in WWII.  After some good conversation with him we left to begin our journey to fire base 69.  Waiting in the parking lot of the diner was the Mom, Dad, Sis and cousin of our “package”.  I had spoken to Mom several times over the past few weeks.   She was very excited about what we were going to do for her son.  They were going to accompany us to “69”.
Although “69” was empty when we arrived, it quickly began filling with the great sounds of many different groups.  Forty minutes before we were scheduled to mount up, Maria from AHW (A Hero’s Welcome) called from arrivals to tell us that SPC Posadas’ flight was arriving early.   All who were at “69” left for the airport with the exception of Bobcat who volunteered to hang for the rest of the group to arrive.
At the arrival gate the family was taken upstairs by Charlie of AHW.  We formed our flag line at the foot of the escalator and up the stairway along the escalator. What a beautiful sight to see Old Glory so proudly displayed by so many proud warriors. As we waited another soldier who was coming home got the WWR welcome.  He remembered that we had given him and his command a send off from the Armory in the northeast last year. A few minutes later our “package” finally was in sight.  The look in his eyes seeing all of us said it all. Another successful surprise!
Before we mounted up for the escort to Langhorne, two of Philly’s finest had parked in front of our scoots.  After some assistant from our newest member Nick (PPD Rider) and a call to their Lt. we were on our way with an escort North on 95.   I guess the officer doing the escort was as excited as I was.  It seems he forgot to leave us on our own at the city limits and escorted us to Bristol.  At Bristol we were met by Middletown PD who finished the final leg of our journey.
Rounding the final corner and seeing Old Glory flying from the ladder of a Penndel fire truck was an awesome sight. We finally had our “package” home, safe and sound.  SPC Posadas was again greeted with more hugs, tears and handshakes.  A certificate was presented by our friends from AHW and a magic coin was exchanged along with some sweaty eyes from both of us.
I know this is a bit lengthy but one more story needs to be told.  While waiting in the airport near the escalator, a friend of mine was returning from a business trip.  We did the usual handshake but I could see the sweat coming from his eyes.  He told me this is the most awesome thing we are doing.  He remembered what happened to him when he returned from war, just the opposite.  We can’t change the past but we sure can make a difference now!
Thank you to all my WWR family for a job well done.  Thanks also to PPD, Middletown PD, CCH, AHW, Nam Nights, Wm Penn and Penndel Fire companies and to anyone else I may have missed.  Twenty eight bikes on a cold February day is super.  Thanks to all for making my first RC so smooth.  Welcome home SPC Posadas.

Len Nikoden