On Tuesday evening March 11th SPC E4 Edward Mehlmann, US ARMY  was honored for his dedicated service to our country as he was welcomed home from his tour of duty in Afghanistan by his family and friends and with the support of Warriors’ Watch Riders, A Hero’s  Welcome and the Philadelphia Police Department. Ed’s father Tom contacted  Warriors’ Watch and asked if we would assist in providing a Welcome Home for his  returning son and of course we were honored to be asked.

Ed Mehlmann left for boot camp in 2006. Before leaving he told his father he’d always  wanted to be a soldier ever since he was a little boy. Ed’s interests include guns, video  games and movies and we’re told he loves Andy Capps hot fries.SPC Mehlmann has  been stationed in Kandahar Afghanistan since June 2013. He was a construction  engineer operating heavy equipment and was responsible for breaking down forts,  and  has been fixing roads and buildings.

Warriors Watch Riders and A Hero’s Welcome rallied in front of Ed’s house in  Philadelphia where we were greeted by his father Tom, sister Tricia, Aunt Jeannie and most importantly (she told me so) his young niece Alyssa. The Philadelphia PD were there to participate in the Welcome home and to lead our escort the short distance to his mother’s home.

SPC Mehlmann arrived at about 7:15PM, escorted by his girlfriend Robyn. WWR and AHW had formed a flag line along the sidewalk to properly greet our Hero. Ed shook hands and received thanks from all members. Next, led by Philadelphia PD, we proceeded a short distance to the home of Ed’s mother Pat. There we formed in the front driveway for a few presentations. Sean presented Ed with our WWR honor coin and thanked him for his dedicated service to our country.

Tom from A Hero’s Welcome then read from the AHW Certificate of Appreciation and presented that certificate to him. Next Brenda presented Ed with a star from a retired American flag and read the inscription which ends in saying “carry me with you as a reminder you that you are not forgotten”. Dutch then came forward and presented Ed with his Warriors beads and explained the significance of the colors in the string.

In true WWR tradition we then stood for our official MUGGING with cameras on the left and the Hero, friends and family on the right. WWR members and many family and friends were eager to commemorate this great evening on film.

Warriors Watch Riders extend our sincere thanks to Tom, Jeannie, Tricia, Alyssa and the entire Mehlmann family for inviting us to participate in this very well deserved welcome home for Ed. We’d like to thank the Philadelphia PD for their continued support and for their energetic participation in welcoming our Hero. Most importantly, Welcome Home SPC Edward Mehlmann. Thank you for your dedicated service to our country and for keeping us all safe and free back here at home.

Respectfully Submitted by RC HowardK

Photos Courtesy of Bikerider