Ride Report posted for Ray


The day was dark , cloudy and rainy, very rainy but there was excitment in the air considering that this was an HONOR MISSION , as my WWR brothers and sisters gathered at our rally point there was a surprise in store , I was humbled at the fact that 2 of our State Coordinators from Wisconsin and N. Illinois were to join us in this HONOR MISSION for David and the Lutz family , upon my introduction of Lisa (N.ILL) and Denise (Wisconsin) to our group we started to make a head way to do our mission , even though most of us were in cages there were 2 members that said no to mother nature and the rain and rode their bikes instead, they rode proud with their heads held high knowing what we had to do.

Photo by Lou Torres

Photo by Lou Torres

We arrived at the funeral home established our flag line without a second thought everybody knew what to do, we were here to HONOR A HERO , with police escort we traveled to the cemetary and Davids final resting place , we reorganized our flag line and stood with HONOR for “David and his family” . At our HONOR COIN presentation to the Lutz family , I introduced Denise and Lisa to Wayne and the Lutz family and let Denise and Lisa present the Honor Coins to the family as I gave a short honor speech, including a request that on behalf of the WWR and with the permission of the Lutz Family we would like to make DAVID B. LUTZ an HONORARY WARRIORS WATCH MEMBER with the presentation of a Warriors Watch patch and that it be placed with David for he is now and forever will be one of our brothers. As I finish writing this and with much admiration,respect and Honor for what you have done for us and our country I felt the need to stand and salute you sir.

I end this with sweaty eyes and fullfillment in my heart in knowing that we were able to Honor you…..DAVID B. LUTZ God Bless you

To my WWR family,  “WARRIORS WATCH RIDERS AND ALL OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS ACROSS OUR GREAT NATION WE ARE TRULY A FAMILY FOR WE SHALL STAND SIDE BY SIDE AND HONOR OUR HERO`S”

THANK YOU AND A BIG BRAVO ZULU TO THE MARYLAND STATE TROOPERS FOR OUR ESCORT , MAY GOD WATCH OVER YOU AND KEEP YOU SAFE

Addendum by David’s brother, Wayne:

David spent his entire adult life in the service of his nation – Air Force, Police, Secret Service, Naval Reserves, finally finishing up his military career as an NCI agent (if he told me what he was doing he’d have to kill me. He took great pleasure in telling me that, often. We Lutz’s have an odd sense of humor) before becoming a civilian contractor for counter terrorism analysis.

For all of this lifetime of service, like many veterans his military honors at the Veteran’s Cemetery were limited to three sailors, two to present the flag to the widow and one to play taps (on an electronic bugle.)

Folks, that JUST AIN’T ENOUGH for a lifetime of honorable, and in this case even heroic, serivce. Many of you have experience the same thing when your own loved ones who were veterans passed away.

My point is that the respect shown to David’s family in honor of his service CAME FROM THE WARRIORS WATCH RIDERS, not the government. It came from you. Without you, it would have been woefully inadequate. WITH you, it was right, and it was good, and it was correct.

Once again I have been slapped in the face with the FACT of how important it is, what we do here. On so many levels, we the citizens of this nation are doing what the government should do but that we cannot leave to the government – THANKING and showing honor and respects for the service of our veterans and the sacrifices shared by their families.

You traveled far and endured miserable conditions to support my family and to honor my brother’s service – a man you had never met, but whose service you understand. HAD YOU NOT BEEN THERE, his service would NOT have been adequately acknowledged. We his immediate family members knew what David had given all his life, but his life of service DESERVED to be shown to everyone present, and the WWR was there to do that.

Tony and Kat, Kel and Audrie, Lou, all of you from way up in PA and further, you came a long way for my family. A very long way. Ray, I cannot imagine anyone having RC’d a better mission. The logistics were difficult, the traffic sucked, and the cooperatin from the FH and Cemetery was minimal. GOOD JOB on getting the State Troopers on board – that one tried very hard to do what he could for the procession. Sean, I was so glad to see you snapping away yesterday, I was able to rest knowing that the event would be formally and tastefully and properly recorded. Piperman, my family was blown away when I told them I had a piper. My mom asked me timidly, “could he play Amazing Grace at the cemetery?” Piper played Amazing Grace at the cemetery, and there wasn’t a dry eye.

Richard Davis. When this long snaking procession turned into Cheltenham Veteran’s Cemetery, I saw a lone man standing on the steps of the chapel ramrod straight, holding Old Glory high overhead in obvious greeting. I said to my son, “Look at that. That looks great, doesn’t it?” I only found out a short time later that it was Rich Davis standing there, come all the way down from West Chester to stand holding our Flag for us.

Handyman and Feef. I do not take what you did lightly. I got up at 6 that morning, and pulled the curtain aside in my hotel room and my heart sank. Dark and pouring rain. The CORRECT decision was made by the WWRiders to put away the bikes and drive down, and I was glad for that. You two, however, rode anyway. And both of you come from places well north or outside of Philadelphia. You need to know that those TWO bikes made all the difference in that funeral procession. Putting two motorcycles with the hearse in front of the procession marks that procession as something special, something important, something to be paid attention to. I owe you – each of you – big.

Al, JohnD, Red, Harry, all of our leaders were there, and many states were represented. Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey, Maryland, and….

…Illinois and Wisconsin? Did someone say Illinois and Wisconsin?

Damn right Illinois and Wisconsin. The SCs of those two states FLEW IN FOR THIS MISSION. Ladies and Gentlemen, I was absolutely blown away. Lisa and Denise were there, and I have the photos to prove it. Un-freaking-believable. Ladies, you didn’t have to bring the gift of the Chicago-style weather with you, but I’ll take it if you come along with it.

“Thank you” is simply not enough. I only regret we didn’t have more time.

All the rest – I took the hand and looked into the eyes of every one of you, and I was humbled, and I was also unutterably proud to introduce you to my family.

A lot of things happened that you didn’t see. After the cemetery, when we got back to the reception hall, I was flooded by people approaching me asking about you, who you are and where you came from. They were in awe. I gave out a lot of cards to people who want to learn more. One man in particular introduced himself and told me he worked with my brother all the way back since the days of Prince George’s Country police department, and he wanted to be sure that he knew how to contact WWR to get more involved. I also learned that MANY people – some of my family members and others, had found THIS website while searching for information on my brother and had been READING THIS FORUM. Many of them.

Then there was my nephew (in-law, but I’m claiming him as “mine” now), Chaney (Cool name, Chaney.)

Chaney is a Marine, married to my brother’s daughter Colleen. He’s been in for 8 years and is now deploying for his third combat tour, this time in Afghanistan (We are already planning his WWR Welcome Home ride.) I have personal feelings for Chaney and so I’m probably “biased,” so I will ask T and Ray to tell you what THEY thought of this young man. Later in the evening yesterday, Chaney told me that “even” my brother “approved” of him for his little girl, and for my part I was sure to tell Colleen that I hope she realizes how lucky she is to have a man like him. Chaney will remain in the Marines for his career.

For all of you who have sent emails, cards, flowers, and made your presence known, you need to know that you made a difference in my life and the lives of my family members. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

David, I love you. Rest in peace.

SEAN CARPENER PHOTOS

LOU TORRES PHOTOS