“The Warriors’ Watch” ride to Walter Reed.”
Photo by a young lady named “Butterfingers” This one was taken from the lead vehicle. It’s on I-95 in Maryland, just south of the Chesapeake House rest stop. The actual length was about twice what you can see there. I am on the right side as you view the photo, the second bike. In front of me leading is “T” , our WWR National Coordinator. There is no traffic around us because the Maryland State Troopers had shut down I-95 at the Chesapeake House to allow us to enter the highway safely.
"Folks, lend me your ears.
For those of you who are making this mission, I want you to be fully aware of what it is you are doing. Each time we do a Welcome Home escort for a young Military man or woman, we touch a heart in a way that will never be forgotten. We are showing those warriors how much they were missed, how much they were prayed for, how much they are loved.
At the opposite extreme are those for whom we stand silent and solemn vigil as we did yesterday near
Tomorrow, after a long and probably harrowing ride, you will stand among those in the middle - those who did not die but might have, those who came back, not to their homes, but to a hospital, in many cases for years to come. Some of them may even regret not having died, their pain will be that terrible and their scars that deep.
You will meet young people whose dreams of the future have been cut off and discarded with their mangled legs. You will meet youth that was handsome or beautiful and now is forever scarred by horrible burns.
These we will honor, this pain we will acknowledge, these lives we will respect for what they have lost, so help us God.
Tomorrow will not be a time to be shy about approaching "strangers." There are no strangers among those who have shed blood for our sakes, who have experienced the worst pain and witnessed the deaths of their friends.
When the day is over and we are all safely back in our homes, there to resume our safe, mundane lives, you may rest knowing that you have done the best of things, that you have seen pain and given back friendship and deep, abiding respect.
Warriors Watch riders, for what you are about to do, I salute you."
Wayne Lutz
Founder
Warrior Watch Riders
More information about Warrior Watch Riders is available at their website:
http://www.warriorswatch.org/
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