Road Trip #5 - Day 2, POW-MIA Recognition Ride & Veterans Rally

August 20, 2011
Colorado, USA

Day 2, 20th (part 1), POW-MIA Recognition Ride

After a great night's rest at our cozy motel, we were up early and riding toward Woodland Park before 7 am. The weather was fine and skies were clear.

This is our third year to ride in the POW-MIA Recognition Ride. We ride with Veterans. We ride for Veterans. We ride for those who gave some. We ride for those who gave all. We ride because it is fun, but we also ride with remembrance and respect in our hearts. We ride in celebration of the dearly bought freedom that allows us to do this thing [ride the Harley] we love but we ride with the certain knowledge that Freedom is not Free.

Registration is a bit funky for this ride, mostly because the number of riders who turn out for it is huge. You ride in, sign a release while still on the bike, park, dismount, walk to the registration table, pay the $5 fee, go back to the bike, ride to the staging area and park again. This works fairly well until hundreds of bikes show up at the same time to register. Every year I think to myself that organizers should consider some sort of pre-registration. We staged near the end of the second row. They packed us in like sardines this year with barely enough room to get off or walk around the bike.

Local firemen were cooking for the pancake feed this year. We got in line, put a decent donation in the jar and had our pancakes, sausage, orange juice and coffee. Afterwards, we stood around and visited with other bikers while watching hundreds of bikes roll in for the next couple of hours.

The POW-MIA Recognition Ride rolled out right on time under clear skies with Pikes Peak presiding over the whole event. Like last year, bikes were still registering as we were riding out. It was a great turnout. Patriot Guard Riders from Kansas and elsewhere led the ride through Woodland Park to Divide and on to Cripple Creek. All along the way patriots of all ages, from all walks of life cheered and waved flags alongside the roadways. We responded with waves and honked our horns. The bikes stretched out for miles in front and in back of us (the majority being behind us). Words somehow seem inadequate to describe both the thrill and the honor it is to ride in this procession.

Roaring into downtown Cripple Creek where the streets were lined with thousands of people cheering and waving and screaming rev 'em up is a one of a kind experience. Riding under the big flag at the end of main street gets me right in the old ticker every time and puts a big ol' lump in my throat.

Do not believe anyone who says patriotism is dead in America. It is not. Patriotism is alive and kicking wherever Veterans and Soldiers and those who appreciate Veterans and Soldiers gather. Patriotism flies free and proud overhead from rooftops, street lights and fence posts, in the hands of patriots, and streaming proudly behind thousands of motorcycles. Patriotism sends a message loud and clear from the patches and artwork adorning every leather vest, t-shirt and cap. Patches that say these colors don't run, try burning this one [flag] asshole, land of the free - because of the brave, proud American Infidel, Vietnam Veteran, love it or leave it, all gave some - some gave all, wind in my face - freedom in my heart, support our troops, don't tread on me, we went - we served - we ride - with USA pride and Freedom is not Free. I am proud to associate with people who remove their hats, place hands over hearts and salute as Ol' Glory marches by. The kind of people who do not choke on the words to the pledge of allegiance and who are not embarrassed to sing loudly while they shed a tear during the national anthem and other patriotic songs. I am at home with people who know exactly who they are, exactly where they belong and exactly what they stand for.

We rolled down the back street, parked in nearly the same place as last year, took our time stashing our gear and walked up to main street in plenty of time to see hundreds more bikes still riding in.

Here is a slide show of the POW-MIA Ride (78 photos):

Day 2, 20th (part 2), Salute to American Veterans Rally

We listened to the speeches and patriotic songs broadcast from the tiny city park during the commemorative ceremonies. We loved the story of Bady or Bad A, a German shepherd who lost his handler in an explosion in Afghanistan. Bady is an IED & Patrol dog and is credited with saving over 100 Soldiers. Bady lost a leg as a result of injuries suffered during the explosion. Bady was presented with an honorary Combat Action Badge by Col Mike Kasales of Ft Carson. It was pinned to his vest. He was also awarded a trophy in recognition of his courage and dedication in protecting our American Soldiers. Check out the video of Bady at http://www.koaa.com/videos/hero-dog/.

Lunch was catfish and twisted taters from DC's.

The rally was packed and the weather was fine most of the day. We shopped the vendors, listened to music, strolled the streets of Cripple Creek, admiring the bikes parked and other bikes riding in. We stopped for a gander at Colonel Bill McPherson's restored UH-1 Huey helicopter. McPherson was on his 197th combat mission June 1966 when his aircraft was shot down. He was severely wounded and his co-pilot was killed. He has restored two UH-1 Huey helicopters. One he regularly pulls through parades. The other is on static display at the Veterans Memorial in Mount Pisgah Cemetery just above Cripple Creek.

We stopped for an ice cream before getting the idea we were about ready to ride down the mountain. We were kicking around here or there supper ideas. A crack of thunder convinced us our inclination to get moving was well founded - us and a bunch of others. So, we rode down the mountain in spotty rain, but the weather in Colorado Springs was fine. We found burgers and beer a short distance from our motel at tiny Mo's Diner and spent the rest of the evening watching a lightning show over Pikes Peak from the chairs in front of our motel room.

Slide show of the Salute to American Veterans Rally (76 photos):

We had a great time today. Tomorrow we roll out of here on a seven, maybe eight or nine or ten day road trip...

FYI: Of course I shot video - stay tuned for the movie

Total Mileage 25190
Day's mileage = 85 miles