We all got ready to do what we all do with Great pride. We met up in our Red and Black Uniforms, to once again help others.
Off we went down the road to the weekend of our choosing, it truly was a beautiful day very nice and hot. We rode down one of those Highways we all know so well on our 2 wheels, when out of the corner of my eye, I see it. Brothers and Sisters, I ask you.... can birds fly without using their wings???? ...Well allow me to "esplain Loosely". It looked like a few Diesel Big rig trucks with bad filters, were moving along a road as their was a lot of brown smoke over there to the right of where our group of about 20 bikes were headed, I was number 6 in the formation, that quickly became the last bike in that formation. As we approached it got cooler and the brown smoke got bigger and I taught...hmmm a diesel train??? couldn't be, then before I could tell... the rest of our formation had dropped off and the lead 6 bikes kept going, as we rode past the line of trees it hit, a dust devil, 200 feet high and 200 feet across, branches flying, getting pelted with dirt, driving on a 45 degree angle. I lowered my profile, and taught, Frak I'am gonna Die. Thats when it happened, 2 birds, just barn swallows I think.... flew by my eyes, one with a small branch still in it claws, and their wings weren't open, Me and God were already chatting and I figured I must have pissed him off, he was throwing birds at me?
I been riding all my life, although what felt like 40 mile per hour winds and driving through the wall of either a small tornado or a big dust devil, on my bike was a new experience, and not one of those you want to tell your wife about...
Well that 17hrs, opps 40 seconds was done and everything cleared, the rest of our group watched and caught up with us and we kept going to help others.
Shower stop was needed.
When we arrived at our tiny town for the weekend, we had a plan, we are going to unveil a monument to Afghanistan Vets, we were met by the entire community, which is normal for these weekend events, but this is where it takes a great left turn.
After we ride through town in a parade, we all parked our bikes and are asked to line up to march up to the memorial, a quarter mile away, well many folks in the town young and old line up with us in a 3 form marching pattern with the Local Legion's color party in the lead, and Left, right, left, right. we all together march to the memorial.
When we got there 2 of our Brothers were thanked for all of their extra effort to make this memorial a reality, Claude and Marc, and there were speeches and everyone had a chance to speak, Mr Bothillier was chosen to speak in English as he was the best English speaking french person, and my hats off to that silver cross Dad, his English was spectacular. Then it started to drissel, a light rain, none of the soldiers, and former soldiers moved, and to my extreme pride neither did the kids or the civilians.
The coordinator, a very sweet and caring lady, was obviously not use to dealing with soldiers, this became very evident.. I spoke to her later that day and she felt better after we chatted.
As it had started to rain she suggested, that to shorten the ceremony, we would skip the singing of "Oh Canada" , all the soldiers said nothing but we were shaking our heads in disbelief, then a strong voice piped up and said, "HOW ABOUT WE DON'T DO THAT", I then piped up and said "Thank You Drifter", and someone started singing and we all sang Oh Canada in the rain, even the civies. To me Brothers and Sisters, that is the best example of what the soldier is, the mail man may go through sleet, hail and bad weather, but when the mail man can no longer, the SOLDIER gets the call, and everyone says, the Army is coming we will be ok. that is us, way the hell above and beyond, that is what the soldier is ! That day we had such a great influence, that 8 yrs old or eighty, they stood with us , got wet and shared in our pride.
That check payable to Canada in the amount of... up too and including your life.
We then went on to do what it is we do, Ride and help others, while upholding "Strength and Honor"
When Drifter piped up and said "Lets not skip Oh Canada" that to me was Strength and Honor" Maxed out.
Many have strong feelings about so many things, I have watch so many cheer, sing praise, and complain. One thing always remains, those friendships, and those values. Red and black, today tomorrow, forever.
Later Soldier
Kitbag
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"When I was five, Teacher asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up, I said HAPPY, She said I did not understand the question? I think she did not understand life...I am HAPPY"
Cheers and Smiles for Miles and Miles...