Ride Report posted by Lutz

Rain, rain go away.

Nah, it wouldn’t be interesting it it was dry. WET was the word for the homecoming of Army SPC Sean Petrondi. I had mom and her other two strapping sons meet the Warriors’ Watch Riders at the Bartram Avenue fire house.

We rallied in the early evening and saddled up for the short ride over to the Airport, with flags flying in honor of the family of the returning hero. The Philadelphia Airport Police were, as always, incredibly helpful and did their part to show honor and respect for a returning American Warrior. The Warriors’ Watch and anyone under their wing is treated like royalty by those guys.

Sean’s plane was on time, and after mugging for photos from a pair of French tourists, followed closely by a pair of Spanish tourists (Look at the funny Americans!) we cheered the appearance of our charge, coined him, and set out for West Chester.

When West Chester is the destinaiton, West Chester American Sheepdogs come out to help us cheer the arrival of a hometown hero. Rich Davis and crew were there on the receiving end, as was the Goshen Twp. Fire Department and the plolice who escorted us the final stretch of our 26 mile swim…I mean ride.

Seriously, Sean, welcome home, young brother. I would like to be the first to tell you something…As a soldier, as an American Warrior, as a young man who chose to put his life on hold for the purpose of going off to war in defense of his nation, his people, and his way of life, you gained something that you probably didn’t bargain for. You gained brothers, many of them. I am an Army veteran, a leftover from the Vietnam and Cold War Eras, and I consider you a brother, and thousands of us feel the same way. You will never be alone, for so long as you live, my young friend.

Welcome home. Relax and have fun for the time that you have.  You’ve earned some R&R.

-lutz

Photos by Sean Carpenter. Click here for More.