Thank You Notes

To our “A Hero’s Welcome” Volunteers:  I’d like you to see how “what we do” impacts the families and the community of our Heroes.  Thank YOU for helping us to keep A Hero’s Welcome going strong!  Without YOU we could not continue!!

Thank you!     Maria Hyland

From Pamela Trautman, mother of Spc. Kade Reddick, US Army:

I want to say THANk YOU from my heart for everything you all did!! We would love to participate in the next Welcome Home.. Do you also take donations to help purchase flags and the coins? You may call us Anytime you need Help.. This was so much more than we expected.. I am still speechless..

With much Love and Respect… Pamela & Family:-)

From Gary Collis, father of Cpl. Jesse Collis, U.S.M.C.

I would like to thank them all, it was an overwhelming experience. One that my son and I will remember for the rest of our lives. The whole experience was outstanding.

From Winnie Houk, mother of PFC Joseph Houk, U.S. Army

Dear Maria, Uncle Dan(Captain Dan), Warrior’s Watch, & A Hero’s Welcome,

          Words can not express the gratitude my family feels for such an impressive welcome home for our soldier “Joey”.  He felt overwhelmed with such a warm welcome on such a cold morning.  The show of support your organizations have  for all veterans is something to be commended.  Your actions touch famillies and communities.  Thank you for being a cherished memory in my family’s history.  We will always be proud of our soldier and share in the respect and pride for all veterans.  God Bless You in Upcoming Missions and Best Wishes.

Sincerely,

Winnie Houk, (A Proud Army Mom)

From Duane McCarthy, father of Capt. Patrick McCarthy, U.S. Army

Maria, 

Thank you again for a great welcome home. We sure appreciate the honor you give all these men and women at times like these. Merry Christmas to you and your family, we will see you soon.
Duane 

From Colleen Shaw, Aunt of LCpl Mark Malason,  U.S. M.C.

Maria and Stephen
The impact you made on my family welcoming Mark home was truly amazing.
I never image that there would be an out pour of support. What you do for our hero’s is amazing Full of Love!!

Our gratitude to the Warrior Watch, Fire and police go beyond words!

Thank you again

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

God bless you!

From Patty Hilferty, Mother of Cpl. Andrew Hilferty, U.S. M.C.

Maria, thank you very much for such an uotstanding job on Sunday.  Robert and I appreciate all that you and Tim do along with the whole group. I have to say Andrew was really speechless but very greatful.  He is still talking about it along with the whole family.  We want to wish you and your family a very Happy & Health New Year.  We look forward to seeing you soon.

Thanks,
Robert, Patty and Andrew

 

From Natasha Freeman, wife of Capt. Rahsul Freeman, USAF:

Good Morning All,

I just wanted to thank each of you for all the wonderful support and the amazing welcome home you provided for Rahsul (Lisa…he was so pleased that you pronounced his name correctly). He was truly shocked and so appreciative. The genuine concern for his welfare and support of the mission he just completed was overwhelming. So much so that we both would like to be part of any future Welcome Home Celebrations in Hawaii over the next 3 years of our assignment.

I expected with the delayed arrival that we would only have 5 or so people show up and was so surprised to see how many were able to make it out despite the late hour. I know Rahsul has special words for all the organizations represented there last night and he’ll be sending that soon. Again thank you for your kindness and support we couldn’t have asked for a better way to welcome home our Hero! ;-) God Bless you all.

Sincerely,
Natasha

*****

From Janice O’Connell, mother of Lt. Brian O’Connell
Maria & Carrie
I just wanted to thank you for all your support in welcoming my son home from Afghanistan. Brian was surprised & very touched by the whole day & events. You really made it a special day for all of us. My husband was very disappointed to have missed it. Thanks again for everything – Janice O’Connell

From Barbara Borisuk, mother of Spc. Verbich, US Army:
My son is SPC Verbich, and I just want to THANK everyone that was with us on Saturday for His and SGT Brown’s Welcome Home. I can’t begin to tell you what it mean’t to me and them. It was absolutely AMAZING!!!! When I contacted Warriors Watch and A Heroes Welcome, I never imagined that there would be such an outpouring of support!!!!! My son and Charles where beyond overwhelmed!!!! What you do for our Heroes is just WONDERFUL!!!! Thank you all again from the bottom of my heart, and God bless you!!!!!!

From Roe Acker,  wife of Roy Acker, USMC ; Vietnam Veteran:

A special Thank You to our dear friend and neighbor Dan O’Kane. A loving Thank You to Maria and her wonderful group for sharing such love and warmth to all our Vets, Old & New.
To our “leader of the pack” Doc65, Ken our son. Our pride can not be expressed, our gratitude and love go beyond words.
To his warrior friends , God Bless you all and the deepest of Thanks.
To Representative Nick Micarelli Thank you for your heart felt presentation. The flag is so very special to us and will be honored as always and on display as a testament to our love for our country.
This display of affection from everyone goes a long way to heal the deep scar in a small corner of Roy’s heart. THANK YOU EVERYONE!!!
Maria… What a wonderful thing you do !!! Thanks you & you group sooooooooo much.

I’ll see you again for sure

From the family of CPO Dawn Montgomery, U.S.  Navy:

To all who attended my daughter’s Welcome HOme on the 14th, and those who helped to coordinate this event and all who posted well-wishes….a sincere, heartfelt THANK YOU from Jim and I….this was a night we will never forget!! The roar of the bikes, the genuine caring from the riders, the beautiful presentation of the flags were awe-inspiring. Thank you for what you do….God Bless all of you and God Bless America!!

Sincerely, Val and Jim Secrease

From Joe Koszyk, Thank you for 10-1-11 Mug and Hug JOE KOSZYK JR….SNJ

Thanks, Deborah, John, and all you wonderful men and women for honoring my son last night at La Bove Grand, in Lakehurst. You made our son and family feel so very proud. God bless you all and your beautiful mission.

From Rev. and Mrs. Merriweather, parents of Lt. Robert Merriweather:

Dear Maria and the wonderful Aheros Welcome Volunteers,

 
Words cannot express the appreciation and the joy experienced at the ‘Aheros Welcome Celebration’ on Wed. Aug. 31st.  Our son, LT Robert Merriweather, was so surprised and yet elated that people would volunteer their time and make soldiers like him  feel so respected and appreciated.  Together with our soldier, our family,and our neighbors, we send back to you blessings and thank you a million times over.  What a great time we had after having dinner with the family at Charlie Browns Steakhouse and then you meeting us there, strong in number and escorting our soldier back to our home.  That night was filled with surprises that mounted with every move.  Meeting at my home with all of the volunteers, the Brrookhaven Fire Department, Springfield Police Escort and media coverage was like the Icing on the cake.  We can’t thank you enough for everything.  Maria Hyland, you are an awesome woman!   We will join with you as you celebrate the Welcome Home on Sat. 9/3 in Brookhaven and will continue to join in the celebrations with you as time and distance permits.  We are proud of our present soldiers and our Veterans who have made life safe for us.  We are proud of our LT Robert Merriweather and proud to be Americans.  Be blessed as you continue to bless others.
 
Rev. Raymond and Deborah Merriweather

From Robin McCarthy, mother in law of Spc. J. Quiles:

Maria,
Thank you so much for coming to our home and welcoming our soldier, Spc. J. Quiles home.  He was very surprised to think that someone would care enough to thank him for his service.  We, as a family, are very proud of  him.  I sat day after day for the last 12 months with my daughter, Sammi, waiting to hear from him and wondering if he were alright.  No one realizes what those phone calls or emails mean to the people at home.  Although neither my husband or myself served, we remember friends waiting for a letter from Viet Nam to come.  Your presence here with Warriors Watch made a huge impression on the whole family.  We were honored and pleased to have you be part of our ceremony.  Please keep up your wonderful mission and we hope that all our military can come home soon.
 
Thanks again,
Robin McCarthy

From the parents of Capt. Maricle:

Hi Pat,

Please accept our apology for the lateness of this email. We had a great visit with Michael and it took us a time to recover once he and Nicole left. Since then, we had some medical issues that needed attention.  We would appreciate it if you could pass this on to the rest of the group.

Ron and I want to thank you for the heartwarming welcome home you and the rest of the group gave Michael.  Meeting you and the group felt like being reunited with family. All your planning and coordination made it possible for us to just show up and celebrate the day.  We would have not known where to begin to organize things and everything went off without a hitch.  Also, by getting the pictures on the website so quickly, it made it easy for us to share the day with family and friends that could not be there.   I have to admit the escort down Rt 95 was one of the coolest things I have ever done and something we will talk about in years to come. 

I think Michael’s reaction at the house showed just how deeply moved he was by the fabulous welcome home you made happen.  As he shared with you, there was barely any reaction from the public at the airport the last time he was home.  Since I am sure many of you experienced the same thing, your heartfelt reaction to what he was feeling was just what he needed.   

Your welcome set the perfect tone for his visit home and I know it is one of those events that will stay with him forever.  Thank you for recognizing my brother, Uncle Dave.  Although he rarely speaks of his own service, he has been a rock for Michael, especially during his deployment.  They have forged a bond that can only be shared with other warriors and helped him through some rough times. 

Thank you all, not only for your service while you were in uniform, but also for the service you continue to provide for all members of the armed forces and their families.  I know your mission with us was a joyous one, which is not the case all the time.  Your willingness and ability to offer comfort from a place of knowing. is a true sign of human compassion.  Once again, thank you. 

 Ever grateful,

 Ron and Joanne Maricle

From the Mother and Father of LCpl Michael Molina, USMC:

Maria,
 Just wanted to tell you how incredibly Thankful we are for what the Hero’s Welcome coordinated along with the Warriors Watch for our Michael yesterday. You all outdid yourselves. It will be a memorable day to our family. I was also wondering if the Hero’s Welcome has a website…would like to get involved more with them.
Blessings & Many Thanks,
Denice and David

From the brother of Cpl Jon Paul Steele, USMC:

Tim/Maria,  (Warriors’ Watch Riders and A Hero’s Welcome)
I cannot thank you enough! Aside from the weather, the day couldn’t have been any better. It is not where you are or what the weather is, but who you are with, that makes for great memories.   We had great people around us, family and friends alike. All of the WWR and AHW members will forever be  family to us. There is no doubt that yesterday’s festivities will be a memory that our family will have forever. We owe it all to you guys for making this such a great memory.
On behalf of my family, I would like to thank you all for your support.
Kind Regards,
Bob
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

From the sister of  Spc. Jeff Short, US Army:
I truly hope that everyone is this organization realized the impact this has not only for the returning soldier but the entire family and community! You welcomed home my baby Brother Spc Jeffrey Short this weekend and it was so powerfully emotional that you all will forever be in our hearts. May god give each and everyone of you your own parade into the pearly gates and given the chance I will be on the sideline of every one of your parades waving my flag and bringing the noise! Thank You can never be enough for all of the countless hours donated to make so many feel so special it is truly a selfless act of humanity. May you all be blessed and ride safely! Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Comment from a by-stander at the Welcome Home for Spc. Vincent DeJohn

My wife and I accidentally got caught up in 1 of your welcome home rally’s. We not only enjoyed “the show” but felt welcomed into your group. I am a USMC vet 66-70 and as I stood holding a flag I felt welcomed home too. Your group and their missions are heart-felt and encouraging. Please email me any upcoming welcomes that you have planned. We would like to attend and welcome home these warriors with you. Thank you for all you do!

From Carol DeJohn, mother of Spc. Vincent DeJohn:

I want to thank all of the riders involved in my son’s return home from Iraq on Saturday, March 19, 2011, to North Coventry, PA. A very big THANK YOU goes out to “CHRIS”, the Ride Captain (first time and who did an EXCELLENT and IMPRESSIVE job), “TIM” who was my initial contact, and “MARIA HYLAND” with A Hero’s Welcome. Your organization, skills on the road, and dedication was truly heartfelt … I could not have asked for more. My son was truly overwhelmed (even though he felt ackward) by the support of your group and the community knowing this was a choice/career path he chose … he felt very humbled.We spent hours that evening going over everything involved with that day, and he felt so honored. We realized that many in your group did not get the acknowledgement you deserved on your return (i.e. Korea or Vietnam), but please know that we are grateful for your safe return to be able to do something so special and memorable for our current military personnel. Vincent joined because both of his grandfathers served in Korea (Army/Air Force), and he had three uncles who served in Desert Storm (1 Army/2 Air Force). He knew that serving his country was in his blood and he is truly PROUD to be an AMERICAN.We ALL appreciate your dedication to the support of our troops … Past, Present, and Future, and will always remember the sacrafices these young men and women make. I will definately be a supporter of your organization and hopefully can attend your next endevour.Again, THANK YOU!!! for making this Homecoming a memorable one and KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!!!LOVE and PEACE TO ALL… the DeJohn Family               

From the family of Spc. Ryan Delaney: 

Hello Maria and Chris and Fatboy,
Sorry for the delay in getting back to y’all…after much celebration last weekend I needed a few days rest…lol…Fatboy, it was ABSOLUTELY AMAZING! When I say Heaven and Earth moved that day…they did…Ryan and family and friends have not stopped talking about it…I love the links to photo albums y’all have posted on Warrior’s Watch, too. My phone and Facebook have been blowing up all week with pix and videos we all took, too. Tears of joy shed over and over with each one….We couldn’t have done it without any of y’all, especially the three of you… Maria and CanAmChris and Fatboy. Y’all are, most definitely, tops in the most special people that have touched my life…and Ryan’s and the rest of our family and friends. Thank you doesn’t even cover what I truely want to say and mean with those words….God Bless all y’all…everyone who joined us in Welcoming Home Spc Ryan Delaney are true ROCKSTARS! If you could please, please, please pass on to everyone who was there and those in spirit how tremendously honored, happy, thankful, and blessed we all are because of what each and everyone of y’all have done…Y’all embedded our hearts, minds, and souls with memories we will cherish forever and never forget….Thank you, again!
God Bless and Hearts of Love,
Michelle A. Dovidio
and
Spc. Ryan Delaney
and
All our Family and Friends