SEPA: W/H SPC William Schaffer III US ARMY

Ride Report for Ride Captain HowardK

On Sunday afternoon April 1, SPC William Schaffer III, US ARMY was recognized for his dedicated service to our country by WWR, AHW, SBMC and many friends and extended family at Philadelphia Airport International Terminal A. He had flown directly from Frankfurt Germany.

William is a 2009 graduate of Bo Manor High School in Chesapeake City MD where he was an avid cross country and track runner. He is also a big Ravens and University of Maryland fan.

William completed basic training at Ft. Jackson SC in September 2009 and completed AIT at Fort Gordon GA in February 2010. His first assignment was Schweinfurt, Germany, Company 44, CM 457. He was deployed to Afghanistan March 16, 2011 as a member of the 44th Signal Battalion Charlie. He returned March 16, 2012.William will be returning to Germany and when he returns to the US will be assigned to Aa Signal Company where he will be supporting the ARMY Southern Command.

William has earned 4 challenge coins from Command Sergeant Majors from combat commands supported in Afghanistan. He has also received 2 Stars and the NATO Medal. He will be receiving another Army commendation medal for his service with the 44th in Germany. William was runner up for the 25th Signal Battalion’s Soldier of the Quarter Board and was recommended for promotion to Sergeant. In June 2011 he was selected as Soldier of the Week.

Warriors Watch Riders were invited to Welcome Home William and provide an escort to Applebee’s in Havertown by his Aunt Susan Boran. WWR, AHW and SBMC rallied at Firebase 69 and after the ride briefing and introduction of the family proceeded together to PHL International Terminal A where we were joined by Philadelphia TV6.

William came through the doors of Terminal A and was “attacked” by his mother

Carmen, father Don, sister Lynn as well as by his aunt, cousins, girlfriend and his girlfriend’s parents. Even infant cousin Jaidyn gave William a big hug. WWR and AHW then formed two flag lines on both sides of the terminal entry and William continued between the flag lines shaking hands and receiving a warm welcome from every member.

The entire group then proceeded downstairs to the front of Terminal A for the escort to Havertown.

We were led from the airport by about eight big-flagged bikes followed by William and his family, and then by about two dozen motorcycles and a few cars. We proceeded south on RT 95 and then up the Blue route where we were met at exit 9 by The Havertown Police, The Marple Twp PD and the Manoa Fire department for the final leg of the escort to Applebee’s Restaurant. We arrived at the restaurant in our usual QUIET manner, well maybe we did honk the horns and rev the engines a bit, and all gathered in front of the restaurant.

William was presented a Warriors Watch Honor Coin by Jeff Story and was then greeted by Maria Hyland and presented a certificate from A Hero’s Welcome to recognize his dedicated service to our nation and offered thanks from a grateful nation. In true WWR tradition we stood for our official MUGGING with William and his extended family after which we allowed them all to go into the restaurant to celebrate Williams return in peace.

Warriors Watch Riders extend our sincere thanks Susan Boran and the entire Schaffer and Eason family for inviting us to participate in this very well deserved welcome home for William. Thank you to A Hero’s Welcome for making this such a proper welcoming ceremony. We would like to thank Second Brigade for their participation and recognition of SPC William Schaffer. We really would like to extend our greatest thanks to The Havertown Police, The Marple Township Police and The Manoa Fire Department for leading us safely to the Manoa Shopping Center and for their strong show of patriotism and support. Also, thank you to Fred Sonsalla and the staff at Applebee’s in Havertown for their support and assistance in arranging this Welcome Home for our HERO.

ARMY STRONG

Respectfully submitted by RC HowardK

Pictures courtesy of Bikerider