God Bless our Veterans

Friday is finally here and you would think I was looking forward to it. Well actually I am, mama is off and we get to ride to Biloxi Ms tomorrow to honor Staff Sergeant Johnny Polk who was a member of the United States Army. SSGT Polk gave his life for his country while serving in Kirkuk Iraq when his vehicle was struck by an anti-tank grenade. This is only one of the very many brave and wonderful hero’s of our great nation that have given their lives over seas so that we wouldn’t have to lose ours in a terrorist attack here in America. It is a great honor for me and my brothers and sisters in the Patriot Guard Riders to be able to do this small token of our appreciation for these great Americans. As sad an occasion as this is, I have never been so proud of these great Patriots and their families.
This past spring I had the occasion to be honored to ride with many Patriot Guard Riders from across the country on our small leg or escorting the Vietnam Wall that Heals from Interstate 10 down to Apalachicola Florida where it was on display for several days. I was told at the beginning of this ride to prepare myself emotionally for what I was going to see but I had no idea it could have been so remarkable.
The semi tractor trailer was waiting at the truck stop for us with nearly 1000 motorcycle riders. These men and women were here to honor those who were forgotten from the Vietnam War both living and dead. It was breath taking by itself to see all these motorcycles being escorted with the tractor trailer down Highway 71 for miles, as far as the eyes could see. Each county we passed through had a sheriff or police escort and when we arrived at the outskirts of the small town of Altha Florida I was in shock. Every school child was on the sides of the streets waving flags, every business had turned out its employees to wave flags, signs and banners and the veterans both old and young stood at attention as the procession passed through with many United States Flags fly off the backs of many motorcycles. This scene was repeat time after time, town after town. As we rode through the winding country roads, farmers on their tractors would come to the edge of the highway with their hates over their hearts. Yes I did finally lose it when passing though Wewahitchka and seeing a little old mother on the side of the road cradling lovingly in her shaking hands an 11 by 14 old Vietnam era photograph of her son proudly dressed in his Army uniform with tears streaming down her cheeks. That was nearly more than I could take but I was so proud to be allowed to be a part of this day. When we passed through Port St Joe, members of the Veterans of the Foreign Legion were dressed in their finest ceremonials standing as straight as boards with a rock hard salute. As we passed through town corner after corner had members of the local ROTC dressed in uniforms stand at attention with flags flying. Across the highway toward the end of town were two large fire engine ladder trucks fully extended high into the air with a very large American Flag greeting us. Police and Firefighters alike stood with salutes as the massive motorcycle escort passed through. One of the most touching times was when the bikes were slowly passing near the school children lining the highway as they put their hands out to touch ours as we passed by. I don’t care what anyone says in the north eastern part of this great country, patriotism is alive and well down here in Dixie. This is truly a great place to be from and call home. As one tearful Vietnam Veteran told me, this was the home coming they never had. Well done Florida.God bless the greatest military in the world and dont forget to tell them, thank you for serving. Have a great day.