Saturday, July 26th 2008 Spc Steven Buck, Army, 37th Calvary returned home from a 15 month tour in Iraq. Steven is 20 years old and graduated from Burlington City High School where he attended ROTC for 4 years.
Steven was welcomed by his parents at the Trenton Rail Station and escorted to Edgewater Park by the Warriors Watch Riders and the NJ State Police. Yellow ribbons were hung along Stevens return route along Woodlane Rd and E. Franklin Ave to his home. The Beverly, Burlington City Fire Companies formed a welcome arch with their ladder trucks at the intersection of Monroe and E. Franklin Ave., with our nations flag donated by the Willingboro Fire Company hung from the arch.
Steven's escort turning onto E. Franklin Ave. from Woodlane Rd.
Steven rode on the back of one of the Warriors Watch Riders motorcycle from the Trenton Train Station to Edgewater Park.
Members of the Warriors Watch Riders Motorcycle Club.
This group also protects Servicemen and Women's families, from the Wacko Church Group that goes to the Serviceman's funerals to shout obnoxious statements at the families.
Steven with his Mom, Robin Arnold
Steven thanking the members of Beverly, Burlington City and Willingboro Fire Companies.
Steven receiving a "Proclamation of Thanks", from Burlington County Freeholder Stacy Jorden on behalf of the Residents of Burlington County and the Burlington County Board of Chosen Freeholders
Beverly American Legion Post Commander Ed Gitto welcoming Steven with a gift of a free one year American Legion membership
As you can see by Steven's expression, he was speechless with the greeting he received from everyone.
This is a group picture of the Yellow Ribbon Club Members, were responsible for this outpouring of welcoming support for Steven. This Club performs this function for any returning serviceman and servicewoman, at the request of the family. They can be contacted at their Web Site www.yellowribbonclub.org. Please visit their Web Site and help them with their effort to see that every returning Service person receives a grand welcome home, and a show of appreciation for their service to our country.
We thank the members of the Yellow Ribbon Club for this service.
Edgewater Park, you did a splendid job with Steven's welcome as well as the Beverly, Burlington City, Willingboro Fire Companies and all of the family, friends and neighbors who worked hard to see his welcome was splendid and that Steven knew we appreciated his service and to give our thanks.
Chuck Ryder
Thank you Chuck for this wonderful story and pictures. I also will add a link for the Yellow Ribbon Club Web page.
I would like to add that the show of support for this welcome was overwhelming from the Residents and friends, I was very disappointed that our local press did not bother to report on this welcome. I think they should be ashamed for their lack of coverage. If this was a negative story about a member of our armed forces I have no doubt it would have been a page 1 story.
Welcome home Spc Steven Buck and thank you for your service to our country.
The Edgewater Park Reporter
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