Let me preface this thread with the feelings of fear for the United States I have been having for the last 2 or 3 years. With all the internal and external strife this country has been under for the last number of years for the first time in my life I have been truly concerned for the future of the United States. During my youthful years I never had any doubts of the love the people of this conglomeration of States had for their country. Lately, with all the "me, me, me" mentality I have had for the first time in my life a gnawing fear that we as a nation would destroy ourselves from within.
Last night I had a true life changing experience. I along with over one thousand motorcyclists, I was part of an escort for the Vietnam Moving Wall from Kenton, Ohio to Bellefontaine, Ohio. The Moving Wall is a half sized replica of the Vietnam Memorial that resides in Washington, DC. It is ferried around the United States by the Moving Wall Organization. (movingwall.org). As the pack moved out of the Hardin Co. Fairgrounds there were hundreds to thousands of Kenton residents who lined the streets with waving flags. It is very hard to describe the feeling as we slowly made our way around the town square and began to make our way south towards Bellefontaine. It was not long until many eyes including my own were a bit misty. The color guards of the service clubs, in their dress uniforms and standard bearers were along the route as we left Kenton. All along the approx. 30 mile Rt. 68 towards Bellefontaine, the locals came out in droves to wave flags, hands and show respect to the Moving Wall. I didn't see this particular woman but I was told that she was along the road with an apparently old picture of a loved one who she had probably lost in a previous conflict. Another older armed forces gentleman stood at rigid attention, saluting, for as long as I had him in my sight, including in my mirror. Still another was along the road holding a large flag on a tall pole. You could see the pride and respect in his eyes. I saw multiple generations along the road. Grandmothers, grandfathers, mothers, fathers, kids, grandkids, great grandkids et al were present. I hope we made a memory for some of the younger ones.
When we came into Bellefontaine and into the center of town the Bellef. Fire Department with the help of I believe Marysville Fire had their tall ladder trucks with one of the biggest United States flags I have ever seen stretched out between the extended ladders. It was placed so the Wall and accompanying escorts would pass directly underneath the huge flag. It was quite an emotional sight. It is very hard to describe the feelings I had as I rode under our flag...respect, pride, humility come to mind. The ride ended at the Bellef. High School where the Moving Wall will be on display 24 hours a day until Monday morning.
I now have an uplifting sense that there are more people willing to fight, support, love and cherish these United States than who and what the media wants us to believe. We, as a country need to do more of this....showing ourselves and each other how much we love and respect our Nation and our veterans, for it is the veterans who have put their lives where their mouths are to guarantee that we have the freedoms all of us enjoy everyday.
Sorry this post is a bit long but I wanted to get my feelings down in writing before the words escaped me. The United States is truly the Land of the Free and the home of the Brave, and yes I WILL say "God Bless America".
JB=Jerry Beach 8503917
Last night I had a true life changing experience. I along with over one thousand motorcyclists, I was part of an escort for the Vietnam Moving Wall from Kenton, Ohio to Bellefontaine, Ohio. The Moving Wall is a half sized replica of the Vietnam Memorial that resides in Washington, DC. It is ferried around the United States by the Moving Wall Organization. (movingwall.org). As the pack moved out of the Hardin Co. Fairgrounds there were hundreds to thousands of Kenton residents who lined the streets with waving flags. It is very hard to describe the feeling as we slowly made our way around the town square and began to make our way south towards Bellefontaine. It was not long until many eyes including my own were a bit misty. The color guards of the service clubs, in their dress uniforms and standard bearers were along the route as we left Kenton. All along the approx. 30 mile Rt. 68 towards Bellefontaine, the locals came out in droves to wave flags, hands and show respect to the Moving Wall. I didn't see this particular woman but I was told that she was along the road with an apparently old picture of a loved one who she had probably lost in a previous conflict. Another older armed forces gentleman stood at rigid attention, saluting, for as long as I had him in my sight, including in my mirror. Still another was along the road holding a large flag on a tall pole. You could see the pride and respect in his eyes. I saw multiple generations along the road. Grandmothers, grandfathers, mothers, fathers, kids, grandkids, great grandkids et al were present. I hope we made a memory for some of the younger ones.
When we came into Bellefontaine and into the center of town the Bellef. Fire Department with the help of I believe Marysville Fire had their tall ladder trucks with one of the biggest United States flags I have ever seen stretched out between the extended ladders. It was placed so the Wall and accompanying escorts would pass directly underneath the huge flag. It was quite an emotional sight. It is very hard to describe the feelings I had as I rode under our flag...respect, pride, humility come to mind. The ride ended at the Bellef. High School where the Moving Wall will be on display 24 hours a day until Monday morning.
I now have an uplifting sense that there are more people willing to fight, support, love and cherish these United States than who and what the media wants us to believe. We, as a country need to do more of this....showing ourselves and each other how much we love and respect our Nation and our veterans, for it is the veterans who have put their lives where their mouths are to guarantee that we have the freedoms all of us enjoy everyday.
Sorry this post is a bit long but I wanted to get my feelings down in writing before the words escaped me. The United States is truly the Land of the Free and the home of the Brave, and yes I WILL say "God Bless America".
JB=Jerry Beach 8503917