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Not certain if I can completely capture the essence of today's event but I will try for the benefit and edification of all.
My daughter and I met up with about 30 other riders from a very diverse collection of groups and clubs in Richlands. (Arnolds is closed Sundays so McD's was the order of business...just for SA) Our group left on time headed for the Warsaw rest area and had a great ride out the short jaunt. Once on the super slab we opened up and really felt the ride and heat started kicking in.
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At the Warsaw rest stop was four fire trucks from local municipalities and cities. In front of the trucks was a parking lot with what appeared to be in excess of 400 bikes. I will try to describe what was in between.
Credit and thanks to Ken (blizzards nest) Blizzard for the photography.
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Apparently back in 2007, an initiative began where on weekends, FDNY members would use their off time to travel with the flag which was recovered from the NE corner of tower 2 as I recall. It obviously was badly damaged and was partially stiched back together in tribute not only of 9-11 but of the Kansas storms. The goal was to eventually replace the cobbled together fragments into a once again whole US Flag.
http://townofsouthportnc.com/911-flag-in-southport-nc-america-new-york-city-attacks/
People took turns coming up and holding the edge which was a larger than the flag 20X30 backing fabric. They would look at the original material and the apparent tears/rips. The patched areas were of other flag portions and although it looks like a quilt, was an amazing spectacle.
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Some stared, some wept, others touched the fabric and you could feel the tension in the air. I told my daughter that "not to be too cliche, but what this flag has gone through, and how it is now, is much like the way our flag and country has been the whole time up til now" It still stands as a proud testament to the people who will do everything necessary to defend its honor.
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Once done being folded up, it was transported by a proud group of FDNY's very best and local firefighters, law enforcement and rescue personnel and a boat load of riders which stretched for miles down the I-40.
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The LEOs did a fantastic job blocking all on ramps and intersections for the trip south all the way to the destination of the ceremony.
Truly, today was an absolute honor for me to be with my daughter:mosh:, to be a retired Marine
atriot:, to be a a rider:choppersm, to be here in this moment, to be an American.
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Please feel free to read more on http://national911flag.org/ to learn how to support the initiative. It represents all Americans today in the setting sun of Southport North Carolina and will proudly continue to represent back at the 9/11 memorial in New York once complete.
My daughter and I met up with about 30 other riders from a very diverse collection of groups and clubs in Richlands. (Arnolds is closed Sundays so McD's was the order of business...just for SA) Our group left on time headed for the Warsaw rest area and had a great ride out the short jaunt. Once on the super slab we opened up and really felt the ride and heat started kicking in.
At the Warsaw rest stop was four fire trucks from local municipalities and cities. In front of the trucks was a parking lot with what appeared to be in excess of 400 bikes. I will try to describe what was in between.
Credit and thanks to Ken (blizzards nest) Blizzard for the photography.
Apparently back in 2007, an initiative began where on weekends, FDNY members would use their off time to travel with the flag which was recovered from the NE corner of tower 2 as I recall. It obviously was badly damaged and was partially stiched back together in tribute not only of 9-11 but of the Kansas storms. The goal was to eventually replace the cobbled together fragments into a once again whole US Flag.
http://townofsouthportnc.com/911-flag-in-southport-nc-america-new-york-city-attacks/
People took turns coming up and holding the edge which was a larger than the flag 20X30 backing fabric. They would look at the original material and the apparent tears/rips. The patched areas were of other flag portions and although it looks like a quilt, was an amazing spectacle.
Some stared, some wept, others touched the fabric and you could feel the tension in the air. I told my daughter that "not to be too cliche, but what this flag has gone through, and how it is now, is much like the way our flag and country has been the whole time up til now" It still stands as a proud testament to the people who will do everything necessary to defend its honor.
Once done being folded up, it was transported by a proud group of FDNY's very best and local firefighters, law enforcement and rescue personnel and a boat load of riders which stretched for miles down the I-40.
The LEOs did a fantastic job blocking all on ramps and intersections for the trip south all the way to the destination of the ceremony.
Truly, today was an absolute honor for me to be with my daughter:mosh:, to be a retired Marine
atriot:, to be a a rider:choppersm, to be here in this moment, to be an American.Please feel free to read more on http://national911flag.org/ to learn how to support the initiative. It represents all Americans today in the setting sun of Southport North Carolina and will proudly continue to represent back at the 9/11 memorial in New York once complete.
