"Never again will an American warrior be scorned or ignored" is the credo of the Warriors' Watch Riders. Members of the national organization's new chapter in the East Bay are fulfilling that pledge by providing motorcycle escorts to welcome home and provide send-offs to America's servicemembers — from the greenest recruits to the most seasoned veterans.

It's been only five months since the first WWR chapter in California was established in Contra Costa County, but already members have run nearly 100 missions honoring not only active military personnel but veterans.

Oakley resident and WWR state coordinator Fred "Spike" Schau said that when he signed the charter for the new chapter in June, there were only two members. As of this month, he said, that number has increased to 116, with 90 percent of the riders living in Contra Costa or the Tri-Valley area.

"It's growing, but we have a long way to go," said Schau, who envisions someday having chapters throughout the state. The organization originated in Pennsylvania and has chapters in 27 states.

One of the missions Schau recalled was escorting "a kid" fresh out of boot camp home from San Jose International Airport. He said they had a flag line ready at the airport for the young Marine to walk through, before giving him a motorcycle escort home.

Schau said the Marine looked at his grandmother and asked, "What is this for? Is someone coming home from the war?"

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Recently, WWR escorted three Marines, all in dress blues, who had just arrived home and were having lunch with their families. Although they were escorted only a few miles, the heroes' welcome they received was something they'll never forget, Schau said.

When the riders arrived at the restaurant, a fire engine and crew were already there waiting to join the mission, he said.

"So we rolled over to the parking lot," Schau said. "As we shut down, (Cpl. John Minerva, Cpl. Jon Zinke-Zagarella and Lance Cpl. Ronald Silva) came walking out "... we had a few minutes to mug and hug those Marines before we headed out. I had the fire engine lead the way, with four tail-gunners taking out intersections."

In all, Schau said there were 27 bikes, including four flag bikes upfront and five behind the convertible carrying the Marines, and two automobiles in tow.

"We took the long way through downtown (Pleasanton) — lights blazing, horns blaring, V-twins roaring — the Marines sitting atop the back seat of the Mustang," Schau said.

"As we rolled down the streets, people stopped and cheered as we went by. I could see the Marines waving back."

But the hoopla didn't end there, Schau said. "When we got onto their street, there had to be 150-plus folks waiting — cheerleaders from a local school, bagpipes playing, flags waving."

Exactly the heroes' welcome that the riders hope all the servicemembers receive — "to treat every American warrior like a 'rock star.'"

The riders envision a day in which every member of the U.S. military and America's first responders (for whom they also provide escorts), along with their families, feel appreciated, honored, respected and loved by the people they risk their lives to protect.

The founding principle of WWR: "They have our backs over there; we have their backs here at home."