"Here they come!"
[This letter was written to Sgt Grit and included in his American Courage Newsletter. I highly recommend you sign-up to receive this inspiring and patriotic newsletter. It's filled with real letters from real people about their family members, loved ones and pride for their country. Click here to read more about this newsletter.]
Sgt Grit,
Several weeks ago I wrote your newsletter about the losses that the Ohio based 3/25 had suffered and the funerals I and my fellow Leatherneck MC members had attended. Today I write a much lighter letter.
On Thursday, 6 October, I and Dale, another Leatherneck, rode to Cleveland to be in a procession welcoming the H&S company of 3/25 home to Cleveland. It was over 100 miles one way for me and 250 miles for Dale and it was worth every mile of the trip. We joined with several other Leathernecks and a large contingent from Rolling Thunder and quite a few other bikers to escort the Marines to their families.
The parade route was only a mile, but people lined the streets 4 and 5 deep the entire way and sometimes 15 or more deep. Thousands of people were waving flags and holding signs of welcome. I was overwhelmed by the turnout. It was an incredible event.
On Friday, 7 October, I met with another group of Leathernecks in Columbus to welcome Lima Co., the hardest hit company in 3/25. Because one of the Leathernecks is a Corpsman in Lima Co., we were able to meet with the returning Marines before beginning the procession. At 1030 we left Port Columbus heading toward the Reserve Center where the Marines would see their families for the first time in months. We expected to see some people lining the streets, but it was cold and raining and I didn't expect very much. Man was I WRONG!
The ride was almost 20 miles and almost the entire route was BURIED in people. A 5 lane street had barely 1 lane open because of the crowds. The police escort in the lead was over 1/4 mile long and included every suburb of Columbus and surrounding area. There were approximately 30 motorcycle police, 25 Leathernecks and about 35 more bikes. Car dealers had turned on the headlights and flashers of every car in their lots. Schools had emptied to line the route. Several school bands were formed up and pouring their hearts out in song. Traffic was at a dead stop and people had left their cars to cheer. Several fire engines had hoisted US and Marine flags over the route on ladder trucks. I don't think I've ever seen so many flags in my entire life.
I think the best part of being in the ride was the actions of the crowd. I was the last bike, about 50 feet in front of the buses and I don't have loud pipes so I could actually hear snatches of conversations as I went past. The crowd would glance at the bikes as we went past and then invariably I could hear someone say, 'Here they come' and a deafening roar would begin. I have never felt so good about being ignored in my life.
I have never been proud nor ashamed of what I felt was Columbus' attitude toward the military. The city always seemed to me to be indifferent toward the sacrifices made. I've lived nearby most of my life, but I got a serious attitude adjustment on that ride. Today I am proud to call Columbus, Ohio my home.
Thank you, Columbus.
Thanks
Bert
"Teufel Hunden"
Herbert McKinley
Except for ending Slavery, Fascism, Nazism and Communism, WAR has never solved anything.
"Semper Fi"
[THANK YOU to all the Leathernecks in their never ending and undying support for our troops!!]
Sgt Grit,
Several weeks ago I wrote your newsletter about the losses that the Ohio based 3/25 had suffered and the funerals I and my fellow Leatherneck MC members had attended. Today I write a much lighter letter.
On Thursday, 6 October, I and Dale, another Leatherneck, rode to Cleveland to be in a procession welcoming the H&S company of 3/25 home to Cleveland. It was over 100 miles one way for me and 250 miles for Dale and it was worth every mile of the trip. We joined with several other Leathernecks and a large contingent from Rolling Thunder and quite a few other bikers to escort the Marines to their families.
The parade route was only a mile, but people lined the streets 4 and 5 deep the entire way and sometimes 15 or more deep. Thousands of people were waving flags and holding signs of welcome. I was overwhelmed by the turnout. It was an incredible event.
On Friday, 7 October, I met with another group of Leathernecks in Columbus to welcome Lima Co., the hardest hit company in 3/25. Because one of the Leathernecks is a Corpsman in Lima Co., we were able to meet with the returning Marines before beginning the procession. At 1030 we left Port Columbus heading toward the Reserve Center where the Marines would see their families for the first time in months. We expected to see some people lining the streets, but it was cold and raining and I didn't expect very much. Man was I WRONG!
The ride was almost 20 miles and almost the entire route was BURIED in people. A 5 lane street had barely 1 lane open because of the crowds. The police escort in the lead was over 1/4 mile long and included every suburb of Columbus and surrounding area. There were approximately 30 motorcycle police, 25 Leathernecks and about 35 more bikes. Car dealers had turned on the headlights and flashers of every car in their lots. Schools had emptied to line the route. Several school bands were formed up and pouring their hearts out in song. Traffic was at a dead stop and people had left their cars to cheer. Several fire engines had hoisted US and Marine flags over the route on ladder trucks. I don't think I've ever seen so many flags in my entire life.
I think the best part of being in the ride was the actions of the crowd. I was the last bike, about 50 feet in front of the buses and I don't have loud pipes so I could actually hear snatches of conversations as I went past. The crowd would glance at the bikes as we went past and then invariably I could hear someone say, 'Here they come' and a deafening roar would begin. I have never felt so good about being ignored in my life.
I have never been proud nor ashamed of what I felt was Columbus' attitude toward the military. The city always seemed to me to be indifferent toward the sacrifices made. I've lived nearby most of my life, but I got a serious attitude adjustment on that ride. Today I am proud to call Columbus, Ohio my home.
Thank you, Columbus.
Thanks
Bert
"Teufel Hunden"
Herbert McKinley
Except for ending Slavery, Fascism, Nazism and Communism, WAR has never solved anything.
"Semper Fi"
[THANK YOU to all the Leathernecks in their never ending and undying support for our troops!!]
posted by the nomad @ 9:49 AM
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