The Parade

As noon arrived we made our way through an ocean of bikes to find our ride. In short order we heard the sirens of the Police bikes making their up out of the staging lot and onto the street, signaling the start or the parade. In short order, bikes were starting up and began departing in columns of two.

As we rolled out onto the exit road, already we were seeing people that had come to see us. We then turn onto Memorial Bridge crossing the Potomac River and see an impressive view of Lincoln Memorial ahead of us. By now the walk ways on the bridge are filling with more onlookers.

As we progress the scene becomes increasingly overwhelming. People waving, some giving thumbs up, lots of applauding, smiles and cheering. On the back of my bike I am flying two large 3 ft x 5 ft flags, one American, one POW/MIA, many obviously being veterans would salute the nations colors as I rode by. Approaching the corner to turn onto Constitution Ave, stood a Marine in dress blue uniform, at attention, in the middle of the street, saluting the entire parade as they rode on either side of him. He remains there for the several hours it takes the procession to pass.



Rounding the corner on to Constitution Ave presents an incredible sight, even larger numbers of people lining the street, motorcycles now forming to four abreast formation and the dome of the Capitol Building in the distance. My minds overflows with many many thoughts, memories, and deep humility. Here I am, grew up a simple farm boy, served in my countries military, extremely blessed with quality of life and family, enjoy freedoms beyond the imaginations of most of the world. And I get the extreme honor to ride through the capitol of the greatest nation on earth to pay tribute to her military veterans, living and dead, and continue the awareness of those who have never returned. Yes, the emotions and feelings are running high.

The parade route takes us up to the Capitol building on Constitution Ave and then back westbound on Independence Drive. Even the names of the streets seem to have an extra special meaning on this day.

In what seemed like just a few brief moments, the parade ride is over. There are still thousands of others behind us, thousands still waiting at the Pentagon to depart. More and more riders doing their participation, the entire spectacle will go on for hours. For us, we gather our thoughts, our impressions, feelings and emotions and begin to look toward preparing for our journey home.

We leave Washington with many things in our hearts and minds that were not there when we arrived on Friday. We travel out through Virginia following old US 50, taking us through the country side where there are still many glimpses of what it was like when originally settled. On into West Virginia through the mountains with winding road and spectacular views. We stop for the night in Clarksburg having one last dinner together with our traveling friends. The experiences of the last several days has formed a bond amongst us that will not soon be lost. Much of what we have seen and experienced together will never be capable of being contained by words. To make this journey with great friends that truly love their country; that truly understand the value of freedom and the price that has and is still being paid for it, is a great privilege.

The motors are purring,

The pipes bellow that sweet sweet sound,

All in formation,

We are homeward bound.