Off and on over the past several years, I have volunteered in small ways to support the Face of America bicycle tour. In some senses this is a bike tour like most other fund-raising weekend rides: participants must do fundraising, there is a lot of support from eager and enthusiastic volunteers, it represents a commitment on the part of all involved, and so forth.
What sets this event apart is the intended beneficiaries, and as a result the participants themselves. Unlike the welter of fight-a-disease rides—all of which deserve your support and respect—this ride is for and about and directly involves, members of our armed forces who have been wounded as a result of their voluntary service in defense of our nation. Not all of those wounds are visibly obvious, nor will they ever fully heal. But they are there, and they deserve our respect- and our support.
Many, maybe most, of those who ride have served; of those, many bear physical or emotional scars from that service. Most of the rest of the riders, and many of the volunteers along the way, have some connection to someone who has served. Family members and caregivers of our Wounded Warriors are on hand to offer support, encouragement, and sustenance. And of course the riders themselves have a bond.
I am thrilled to have been selected for motorcycle escort duties for this year’s event. It’ll be an emotional “high point” weekend for me, no matter how things turn out. Seeing this community come together to support those whom they love, and who have supported our nation at great personal cost, is truly an awe-inspiring and inspirational experience.
The ride progresses from Arlington VA to Gettysburg PA over the course of the last weekend in April. Late April in this area can feature wonderfully pleasant weather, or it can be chilly and wet and miserable. It makes no difference either way: the riders turn out just the same, and likewise look out for one another.
Riders gather on Friday. Many have done the ride for several years, some since its inception. Old friendships are renewed and new ones kindled. There is a universal air of joy, edged with the solemnity and respect that are fitting to the occasion. Dinner Friday evening features camaraderie, high spirits, and inspirational presentations, as well as acknowledgment of the many deserving individuals who work so hard to bring the event off.
The ride starts with a loop around the U.S. Marine Corps Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery in remembrance and recognition of too many fallen comrades, then progresses out of town following the Potomac until the route turns north for Frederick. After spending the night there, riders head for Gettysburg PA through bucolic Maryland and Pennsylvania countryside.
Those who are students of history recognize that they are following in the footsteps of illustrious predecessors; this area was central to the events at Gettysburg, Antietam (Sharpsburg), Frederick itself, and many other Civil War actions 150-odd years ago. It takes only minimal imagination to be transported back in time, to see the ghosts of men in blue and gray trudging along in rank and file, or fighting furiously amid the carnage and chaos of a smoke-blanketed battlefield. I am sure that those who have seen modern combat can appreciate it far more than an ordinary citizen.
The people who live along the route turn out as the parade passes by. They offer cheers and calls of support and encouragement; waves and flags are the order of the day.
There is one place in particular that has earned special mention. The people in this spot live in a community surrounding several golf courses. The ride passes right through their midst. In honor of the riders, they hoist a GIGANTIC American flag over the roadway, suspended between the raised booms of local hook-and-ladder fire engines. And seemingly the entire community lines the sides of the road and cheers and applauds and says “Thank you for your service” as the parade of riders passes through. It is truly, truly an awesome and emotional experience to be on the receiving end—even though as someone who never served, it is not meant for me.
At the arrival point in Gettysburg there is a sense of accomplishment and “Yes I CAN” spirit that becomes almost palpable as it builds through the final miles. Riders congratulate one another, exchange rolling high-fives, sit up a bit straighter and add a certain swing to their riding. The moto-escorts generally pull off and coalesce at a spot a mile or so from the final turn-off, and salute the passing cavalcade with a blaring of horns and many, many waves. (They DON'T flash their lights, out of respect for the PTSD cases for whom a flash of light can be a trigger mechanism.)
I never served. But, in this small way- riding escort, helping control traffic at intersections, dealing with impatient motorists along the route, spotting riders who may need some sort of mechanical service on their bikes, etc. I hope to provide some small service to those who HAVE served, and to demonstrate that their sacrifices have not gone unnoticed or unappreciated.
I encourage you to consider doing something similar, if you can. You’ll get back far more than you give, and you’ll give in ways that are deeply appreciated by and meaningful to those on the other end of the deal.
It will not be a long ride, nor fast, nor easy. I won’t have a lot of “alone time” to think and ponder and decompress. It will involve a lot of riding in close quarters; riding on or just over the double-yellow; acting as part traffic cop part sheepdog part messenger rider. It’ll take high attention, constant vigilance, and sustained high levels of alertness for two days. But it will be one of the best motorcycle rides of my life.
What sets this event apart is the intended beneficiaries, and as a result the participants themselves. Unlike the welter of fight-a-disease rides—all of which deserve your support and respect—this ride is for and about and directly involves, members of our armed forces who have been wounded as a result of their voluntary service in defense of our nation. Not all of those wounds are visibly obvious, nor will they ever fully heal. But they are there, and they deserve our respect- and our support.
Many, maybe most, of those who ride have served; of those, many bear physical or emotional scars from that service. Most of the rest of the riders, and many of the volunteers along the way, have some connection to someone who has served. Family members and caregivers of our Wounded Warriors are on hand to offer support, encouragement, and sustenance. And of course the riders themselves have a bond.
I am thrilled to have been selected for motorcycle escort duties for this year’s event. It’ll be an emotional “high point” weekend for me, no matter how things turn out. Seeing this community come together to support those whom they love, and who have supported our nation at great personal cost, is truly an awe-inspiring and inspirational experience.
The ride progresses from Arlington VA to Gettysburg PA over the course of the last weekend in April. Late April in this area can feature wonderfully pleasant weather, or it can be chilly and wet and miserable. It makes no difference either way: the riders turn out just the same, and likewise look out for one another.
Riders gather on Friday. Many have done the ride for several years, some since its inception. Old friendships are renewed and new ones kindled. There is a universal air of joy, edged with the solemnity and respect that are fitting to the occasion. Dinner Friday evening features camaraderie, high spirits, and inspirational presentations, as well as acknowledgment of the many deserving individuals who work so hard to bring the event off.
The ride starts with a loop around the U.S. Marine Corps Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery in remembrance and recognition of too many fallen comrades, then progresses out of town following the Potomac until the route turns north for Frederick. After spending the night there, riders head for Gettysburg PA through bucolic Maryland and Pennsylvania countryside.
Those who are students of history recognize that they are following in the footsteps of illustrious predecessors; this area was central to the events at Gettysburg, Antietam (Sharpsburg), Frederick itself, and many other Civil War actions 150-odd years ago. It takes only minimal imagination to be transported back in time, to see the ghosts of men in blue and gray trudging along in rank and file, or fighting furiously amid the carnage and chaos of a smoke-blanketed battlefield. I am sure that those who have seen modern combat can appreciate it far more than an ordinary citizen.
The people who live along the route turn out as the parade passes by. They offer cheers and calls of support and encouragement; waves and flags are the order of the day.
There is one place in particular that has earned special mention. The people in this spot live in a community surrounding several golf courses. The ride passes right through their midst. In honor of the riders, they hoist a GIGANTIC American flag over the roadway, suspended between the raised booms of local hook-and-ladder fire engines. And seemingly the entire community lines the sides of the road and cheers and applauds and says “Thank you for your service” as the parade of riders passes through. It is truly, truly an awesome and emotional experience to be on the receiving end—even though as someone who never served, it is not meant for me.
At the arrival point in Gettysburg there is a sense of accomplishment and “Yes I CAN” spirit that becomes almost palpable as it builds through the final miles. Riders congratulate one another, exchange rolling high-fives, sit up a bit straighter and add a certain swing to their riding. The moto-escorts generally pull off and coalesce at a spot a mile or so from the final turn-off, and salute the passing cavalcade with a blaring of horns and many, many waves. (They DON'T flash their lights, out of respect for the PTSD cases for whom a flash of light can be a trigger mechanism.)
I never served. But, in this small way- riding escort, helping control traffic at intersections, dealing with impatient motorists along the route, spotting riders who may need some sort of mechanical service on their bikes, etc. I hope to provide some small service to those who HAVE served, and to demonstrate that their sacrifices have not gone unnoticed or unappreciated.
I encourage you to consider doing something similar, if you can. You’ll get back far more than you give, and you’ll give in ways that are deeply appreciated by and meaningful to those on the other end of the deal.
It will not be a long ride, nor fast, nor easy. I won’t have a lot of “alone time” to think and ponder and decompress. It will involve a lot of riding in close quarters; riding on or just over the double-yellow; acting as part traffic cop part sheepdog part messenger rider. It’ll take high attention, constant vigilance, and sustained high levels of alertness for two days. But it will be one of the best motorcycle rides of my life.
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