Ride Report for Ride Captain Stache
September 21st 2012 was a great day to honor a hero !  We welcomed home US Army CW02  MIKE MCHUGH from his one year deployment from Kosovo ! Mike is a Blackhawk Pilot for the US Army NJ National Guard and joined back in 2005 ! About 25 bikers were in on this surprise.  Girlfriend Lauren had contacted us and had a great idea to take him out for a beer, little did he know what was coming !  We rallied close by, then the text came in to say they were there !  Gave him about 10 minutes to at least enjoy some of his beer,  then we took off to the tavern ! We rolled up making lots of noise, the customers were all watching thru the windows to see what was goin on !  We walked in with flags to meet, greet, mug and hug this hero.  I sat next to him and introduced myself, I told him my name was Stache and I’m with Warrior’s Watch and we’re all here to WELCOME YOU HOME !  The place exploded with applause and cheers !  We all took turns to shake his hand, welcome him home, and thank him for all he’s done to protect our freedoms !  We still weren’t finished ! Lauren also had a surprise back at the house so we escorted him back to his house, Evesham Twp PD was a HUGE help with the escort and made sure to keep us safe by blocking intersections for us and we thank them for that and also for their service to the local community they serve !  As we entered the development, we had the horns blowing and the engines revving all the way through to let everyone know that another one of our heroes had come back safe ! At the house friends, families and neighbors were all out with flags waving and cheering ! Also on hand was the new Operation Yellow Ribbon of South Jersey  (they are taking over for the Yellow Ribbon Club which has now disbanded) they need help so visit their website to find out more ! www.operationyellowribbonsouthjersey.org  A little more background on Mike to complete this story ! Our Hero grew up in Marlton and is a Cherokee High School Graduate.  A few of  Mike’s accomplishments and awards while serving include:
Army Commendation Ribbon with one bronze oak leaf; Army Achievement Ribbon with one bronze oak leaf; National Defense Service Ribbon; Kosovo Campaign Ribbon; Global War on Terrorism Service Ribbon; Outstanding Volunteer Service Ribbon; Armed Forces Reserve Army Ribbon with Mobilization Device; Army Service Ribbon; Army Overseas Service Ribbon; NATO Non-Article 5 Medal for the Balkans.
While our Hero Mike was deployed he participated in a program that teaches local youth how to read and write in English and prepare for the TOEFL exam that allows them to attend English-speaking colleges and universities around the world. He also helped to raise money to pay for the exam fees through the base’s weekly “waffle house”.  Mike is looking forward to pursuing a bachelor’s degree and traveling the world. He loves his job as a pilot and is looking for opportunities to progress in the field. He is an avid runner and is looking forward to running the Army Ten-Miler in Washington DC in October to benefit the Fisher House Foundation ! Mike is an inspiration to us all !! Welcome Home Mike ! Best of luck to you !

 
RC: Stache