Rev 'em Up!
This past Sunday, my hubby Dick and I hopped on our motorcycles at 7:30 am here in Bradford to meet up with some of the Combat Vets Motorcycle Association members, click here for their website, to ride to Littleton for their monthly meeting. It was about 40 degress when we left home so I pulled out the long underwear, winter riding gloves, face mask, leathers, etc. Believe it or not, I wasn't too cold although I was happy to arrive in Tilton to meet up with the CVMA members to warm up a tad and grab a bite to eat before we left for Littleton.
My husband is the Campaign Director for the Gold Star Mothers Memorial Association (honoring the mothers of NH's fallen heroes), click here, and he had met some of the CVMA members before since they are helping to organize a motorcycle run for Saturday, October 20, (mark your calender) to benefit the Gold Star Mothers Memorial. A Gold Star Mothers statue will be placed in Manchester in 2008. Even if you don't ride a motorcycle, I encourage you to donate to this extremely worthy cause since they need to raise $250,000 by March 2008 to pay for the beautiful statue and other incidentals for the park. Many volunteers are already donating their time, landscaping, excavation work, etc.
All of the riders are either combat vets, supporters or auxillary members. My husband and I are both joining this extraordinary association. Hubby is a Vietnam vet and I'm his number one fan. I asked what the "initiation" to join was all about and was told that there is no "initiation" since serving in combat more than fulfills the requirements of joining. I liked the group and its mission immediately. These people "get it!"
I was extremely impressed with everyone and especially their concern for safety and road courtesy. We road in staggered formation, appropriate safe distance apart, with a leader and a "tail gunner" who's job it was to pull off with anyone if they signaled him so they wouldn't be left alone or behind. Since I've riden with other groups that were completely unorganized and even somewhat dangerous in their approach to riding, I felt extremely comfortable from the start. Everyone rides as a group and turn signals and hand signals are combined when changing lanes or passing. I like the "no man/woman left behind attitude. Yep, there was one other woman on her own bike which is always nice for me since many times I'm the only woman riding my own bike in a group of men...not that I'm complaining, ha! Yeah, they all "get it" from experience, and I knew that if I rode on another day without my husband, I would be well taken care of and never left behind.
We arrived in Littleton and Gary bought a round at the VFW to honor his Uncle Frank who had recently died, a WWII vet, and he made a lovely speech about his uncle (I almost felt as though I knew him from what Gary said) and we toasted to him. He said it was what his Uncle would have wanted...other vets honoring and acknowledging his passing by tossing back a drink and "saluting" him! It was precious and my respect grew even more for the CVMA members. Things lightened up a bit and alot of good-natured bantering goes around among the group. Since I got stuck in a whole in the grass with my bike while we were slowing pulling into park and someone had to push me out, I, of course, had to take a couple of humorous barbs myself, but it only served to make me feel a part of the group. But, I have a long memory boys, so I'll get ya back later!
We went upstairs for the meeting and the business side of things got taken care of in a couple of hours. The CVMA does great work in helping homeless vets and other extremely worthy endeavors to actually support our troops with practical help rather than merely talking about support. Carol Shea-Pompous and Paul Hodes could learn alot from this group if they were only willing to learn.
About eight of us who did not have scheduling conflicts rode from Littleton to Concord to welcome home the approx. 150 National Guard members from the 3643rd. What a joyous occasion especially for my dear friend Sue Peterson who's son Alex was one of the returnees from Iraq. Welcome home and thank you all for your service to our country! It was great except, of course, for the political speeches especially the one given by Paul Hodes who is just one of the talkers not doers. He did not get a big round of applause and personally I wanted to boo him but refrained since I did not want to dishonor these brave men and women.
Members of the CVMA found a woman returnee they knew and presented her with her CVMA patch and personally welcomed her home and thanked her for her service. Again, my respect grew. Our motorcycles were parked in a line along with members of the Patriot Guard. We all stood in front of our bikes at "parade rest" with our American flags to show our respect. This is how it's done for you peaceniks who hate our troops and continue to disrespect and disparage them and their service.
I was amazed that several Guardsmen and family members made it a point to thank us for being there to support them. It was rather humbling and the real thanks goes out to all of the 3643rd and their families who have sacrificed so much for us. My respect and appreciation continues to grow for our military.
Perhaps your opinion of bikers is connected to the Hell's Angels persona and images of recklessness and lawlessness. Nothing could be further from the truth about the Combat Vets Motorcycle Association and many of the other veteran-connected motorcycle groups. The honorable comradity is amazing, and hopefully you'll be able to experience for yourself some day how humbling it is to be in the presence of true greatness and loyalty among our combat veterans. My sincere thanks to all of the CVMA members I met. I really felt welcomed and hope I can contribute in some small way to supporting your cause. God bless all of you and welcome home!
Comments
Posted by: skip | September 18, 2007 9:21 AM
Posted by: judy paris | September 18, 2007 9:46 AM