Ride Report posted for Al “Bluesman” Philo

After a year in Iraq and a brief stay at Fort Dix, New Jersey, the 11th Military Police brigade came home to Northeast PA, today. One of them is our own Jackie Kresge, of Friends of the Forgotten Northeast Wing.

We received word late on Tuesday, June 16, from Jackie’s husband Terry (also FotF N.E.W. member) that they exected to leave Ft. Dix at 7:30 AM, coming up the PA turnpike Northeast extension. We made an estimate in timing, and Artie “Norton” Flescher, (VP FotF N.E.W.) and I were sitting on the side of the turnpike at the Hazleton/Mount Pocono entrance ramp at 9:30 AM. We had no idea what type of bus to be looking for…just hoping to be lucky!

And we were! Approximately 10:00 AM, we saw a bus in the distance, preceded by a PA State Police car with lights flashing. At about the same time we saw this approaching, the trooper saw our flagged bikes ahead, and blipped her siren for us! What a great gesture of respect from this trooper!

We pulled out behind the bus, and passed alongside in the left lane, to see soldiers waving at us out the windows. We fell in behind the PSP car, and rode 11 miles to the Wilkes Barre/Bear Creek exit, where the procession exited the turnpike. We then fell in behing the bus again, to follow it to the armory.

As we exited the turnpike on Rt 115, there were at least a dozen more bikes waiting to fall in with us…members of Warriors’ Watch Riders, Rolling Thunder PA Chapter 3, Wyoming Valley M/C Club, and Wheels of Freedom.

A tremendous show of support by the town was evident. People lined the streets. When we arrived at the armory, families, friends, FotF, and news media were lining the entrance. The brigade exited the bus, stood briefly in formation, and when dismissed, were inundated with hugs and kisses from those waiting.

Our Miss Jackie was interviewed by local TV and newspapers, as was her youngest daughter.
It was a tremendously wonderful feeling to see the reunions of Heroes and families. It was also a real thrill to Norton and I, as we followed the bus up the exit ramp from the turnpike, to see all of the other bikes lined up! A true coalition is building in this area!

Welcome Home, 11th MP Brigade, and Jackie Kresge, Friends of the Forgotten Northeast Wing!

Respectfully Submitted,
Al “Bluesman” Philo
Warriors’ Watch Riders PA State Coordinator, Northeast Region
Pres., Friends of the Forgotten, Inc.

See more photos here