Vets Welcome Lewis Home

VILLAS – “I never thought I would ever have a parade!” Not many ever get the chance to say those words, but Spc. Ryan Lewis of the 141st Infantry Regiment, U.S. Army, did Sept. 20.
Lewis returned home from his first deployment in Afghanistan to a raucous welcome at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 5343 here. Lewis was escorted from his home in North Cape May by Lower Township Police, Villas Volunteer Fire Company, Town Bank Volunteer Fire Company, and Lower Township Rescue Squad.
Dozens of riders from the “Warriors Watch” motorcycle club and the American Legion Riders club led the way down Bayshore Road as motorcycles roared, sirens blared and bubble lights flashed to announce Lewis’ arrival at the VFW hall in the heart of Villas.
VFW Post Commander Bill Howard officially welcomed Lewis home. Howard noted that he has been welcoming a lot of veterans home, and it is always a relief to have them return safe and sound.
Lewis received a State of New Jersey Assembly resolution presented by Assemblyman Robert Andrzejczak, and certificates and small tokens from The Warriers Watch, American Legion Riders and Cape May Ladies Auxiliary.
Also lending their congratulations and best wishes to the battle-tested infantryman were Lower Township Councilman Thomas Conrad, Deputy Mayor Norris Clark and Mayor Michael Beck.
The 21-year-old guest of honor hugged and kissed everyone in his vicinity and seemed overwhelmed by all the attention being showered his way.
Lewis’ father, Kevin, is a Lower Township police officer, and also serves in the Army National Guard having served in Iraq in 2003–2004. He hugged his son as the large crowd of relatives, friends and well-wishers swarmed over the quiet and bemused returning soldier.
Lewis’ father explained that his son’s mother passed away some time before he entered the service two years ago. He added that Lewis’ stepmother was also an Army veteran and that the two met while deployed in Iraq in 2003.
Lewis attended Lower Cape May Regional High school where he played baseball. His head was clearly still spinning as he tried to thank everyone who had anything to do with this day. The big smile on his face never faded throughout the afternoon’s events.
Lewis will have two weeks to rest and recover from his tour in Afghanistan before reporting back to his unit at Fort Bliss, Texas.
To contact Jim McCarty, email jmccarty@cmcherald.com.
Correction: According to Ashlyn Knudsen, “our mom passed away this year in January before (Ryan) was deployed to Afghanistan.”