On Saturday May 10, the Ratbike, me and Joni left Roseburg Oregon to ride to Reno Nevada.  My wife, Joni, rode on her new 2008 Road Glide.  We planned to meet up with friends from the Chicago and the Michigan City Indiana area there in Reno.  After a couple of play days, we arrived in Sacramento California on Tuesday May 13.

The National Veterans Awareness Ride left for our mission heading east on highway 80.  Ten days later, including a number of stops at Veterans hospitals and Veteran homes, we arrived in Washington DC.  I got personal satisfaction when we stopped and visit with our veterans and showed them the respect of simple conversation and to listen to their stories of the past.

All too often, our veterans are forgotten in hospitals or veteran homes.  They did the ultimate deed of serving our country, and it seems like they get cast aside to fade off into a forgotten state, before death takes a hold of their old and crippled bodies.  Many service people paid the ultimate dues for our country. Giving their life so that we, the people of the United States, can remain FREE.

Freedom is not free.  It comes with a tremendous price tag.  I myself was never in the service.  On Dec 8 1941, my dad enlisted in the Coast Guard.  There were a lot of farm boys, and a lot of guys and gals who answered the call when Japan “awakened the sleeping giant”, by attacking Pearl Harbor.  Thanks to all who have served, past present and future, we remain a free country.  That alone, is a tremendous motivator, for me personally, to want to be a part of this ride.  It warms my heart knowing that, if only for a few moments, we are able to put a smile on the faces of our older generation of service people.

I have also learned, that to thank anyone whom I see in uniform, for their commitment to our country. I hope it gives them a feeling of being noticed and appreciated.

Sunday May 25th, was Rolling Thunder XXI.  It is a protest parade to ride from the Pentagon to the Arlington National Cemetery.  Hopefully the politicians will take notice of the plight of the MIA’S and the POW’S and try to make everyone who did not come home from past and present wars, accounted for.  There are many dedicated people to keep this issue alive and in the forefront and not just shelved as the politicians usually do.  Once again, it gives me great pride in knowing that I can help by joining the National Veterans Awareness Ride.

By clicking here, you can also enjoy the 2008 National Veterans Ride by reading my Journal and viewing the many pictures from the ride.