You never know when you may come across an angel.
Sometimes in my work I will come across somebody who strikes me as an exceptional person; a person who is making a difference in people’s lives, and it makes my heart swell. Other times I’ll meet somebody only to find out later that they are one of those people I admire so much; someone who does for others with no expectation of receiving anything in return except the knowledge in their heart that they did the best they could.
I got a note from one of those people today. He described himself as a “big, bad biker”, but there’s nothing bad about this Vietnam Vet; his heart is golden.
He wrote to me about the Memorial Day ride he took with Veterans from all across the country to honor the fallen and missing in a ride to the Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial, known to many simply as “The Wall.” Four hundred thousand went and paid their respects. Terry Longpre, the “big, bad biker” and Patriot Rider, shared this poem he wrote about that day:
Sometimes in my work I will come across somebody who strikes me as an exceptional person; a person who is making a difference in people’s lives, and it makes my heart swell. Other times I’ll meet somebody only to find out later that they are one of those people I admire so much; someone who does for others with no expectation of receiving anything in return except the knowledge in their heart that they did the best they could.
I got a note from one of those people today. He described himself as a “big, bad biker”, but there’s nothing bad about this Vietnam Vet; his heart is golden.
He wrote to me about the Memorial Day ride he took with Veterans from all across the country to honor the fallen and missing in a ride to the Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial, known to many simply as “The Wall.” Four hundred thousand went and paid their respects. Terry Longpre, the “big, bad biker” and Patriot Rider, shared this poem he wrote about that day:
Four Hundred Thousand Strong
Terry Longpre
Memorial Day 2008
We came from all across the nation,
And we rode our bikes to the Wall,
We came from towns both large and small,
We came to honor those that have given their all.
Those names on the black granite are friends and relatives,
The little boy down the street is on the Wall,
They may be husbands, wives or children,
Their names are here for us, one and all.
We might ride a Honda, BMW or Harley,
Those that we came to see don’t mind,
Can you hear the voices talking to you?
They speak so low and kind.
Where are our POW’s and MIA’s?
Should they be on the Wall?
You know you're not forgotten,
You're loved by one and all.
We gathered here from all points across the country,
When we started our bikes and headed to the Wall,
It would make a sane person wonder,
It sounded like "Rolling Thunder".
Why are all these people here?
We’re here to honor those on the Wall,
We came in large numbers to show our respect,
They are the ones that gave their lives, after all.
We came from the Army and the Marines,
We came from the Air Force, Navy,
Coast Guard and the Merchant Marines.
There were thousands of American and POW/MIA flags on bikes,
Many with service and unit flags too,
They were on two wheelers, trucks and trikes.
We are here for our brothers and sisters,
We are here to thank those that went before us,
We are not here to discuss if "it" was right or wrong,
Together, here to stand, four hundred thousand strong.
Terry Longpre
Memorial Day 2008
We came from all across the nation,
And we rode our bikes to the Wall,
We came from towns both large and small,
We came to honor those that have given their all.
Those names on the black granite are friends and relatives,
The little boy down the street is on the Wall,
They may be husbands, wives or children,
Their names are here for us, one and all.
We might ride a Honda, BMW or Harley,
Those that we came to see don’t mind,
Can you hear the voices talking to you?
They speak so low and kind.
Where are our POW’s and MIA’s?
Should they be on the Wall?
You know you're not forgotten,
You're loved by one and all.
We gathered here from all points across the country,
When we started our bikes and headed to the Wall,
It would make a sane person wonder,
It sounded like "Rolling Thunder".
Why are all these people here?
We’re here to honor those on the Wall,
We came in large numbers to show our respect,
They are the ones that gave their lives, after all.
We came from the Army and the Marines,
We came from the Air Force, Navy,
Coast Guard and the Merchant Marines.
There were thousands of American and POW/MIA flags on bikes,
Many with service and unit flags too,
They were on two wheelers, trucks and trikes.
We are here for our brothers and sisters,
We are here to thank those that went before us,
We are not here to discuss if "it" was right or wrong,
Together, here to stand, four hundred thousand strong.
Thanks, Terry, for all you do.
Tiffany
Tiffany
Terry Longpre at The Wall
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Don't forget to mark your calendar:
The first organizational meeting for Manatee's Operation Troop Support will take place Saturday, August 23rd at 10AM at The American Legion Kirby Stewart Post 24 located at 2000 75th St W in Bradenton. Soldiers, spouses, parents, family members, volunteers and anyone or group interested in providing support to our Manatee Soldiers and their Families are invited. We will look at what has taken place over the past 11 months and see how we can continue where we have been successful and how to improve areas that need it. Your input and help is needed. For more information you may contact Jim Comkowycz 941-744-6245
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Around the military:
U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Nix White parachutes onto U.S. Cellular Field before a major league baseball game between the Chicago White Sox and the Boston Red Sox in Chicago, Aug. 11, 2008. White is a member of the Leap Frogs, the Navy's parachute demonstration team, which is participating in various events during Chicago Navy Week and SEAL Challenge. U.S. Navy photo by Chief Petty Officer Hugh C. Laughlin
U.S. and Iraqi soldiers search a canal for extremist activity near Tamuz, Iraq, Aug. 8, 2008. The U.S. Army soldiers are ssigned to the 1st Armored Division's Company A, 1st Battalion, 35th Regiment. U.S. Army photo by Spc. David J. Marshall
U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class James Duggan and a Royal Malaysian Navy sailor rise above the rest in a friendly game of soccer in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, Aug. 6, 2008. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Benjamin Marsh
U.S. Navy sailors assigned to the U.S. Navy Ceremonial Guard prepare to perform before a free concert by the U.S. Navy Band at the Navy Memorial in Washington, D.C., Aug. 12, 2008. The band performs at the memorial every Tuesday from Memorial Day through Labor Day. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Jennifer A. Villalovos
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