Pride

Patriotism is easy to come by on national holidays, but other days of the years it may not be as natural. Especially given that I don't seem to know one person who isn't disenchanted with the government in one aspect or another. Sometimes with those feelings it's easy to lose site of what a wonderfuly place we live.

Because of the number of family members we have that serve or have served in the military, I am always proud of the men & women who step up and serve this country. From those who made the ultimate sacrifice, to those who prepare food on naval vessels, they're all important!

The road that we live on is a state highway, and a few years ago was officially named The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway of Valor. For 3 years in a row there has been a motorcylce tribute ride for Vietnam Vets.
It a simple thing, but we all really enjoying watching as they ride by. There's really no way of knowing when the bikes will come through. This is a 98 mile ride, and we're about 20-30 miles from their final destination. We worked outside all afternoon waiting for the bikes to go by. (Porch chairs at the ready.)

Our porch was still decorated with red, white & blue from the recent holiday. A friend of the family lost his brother in Vietnam, so my mom & I made a poster board with his name and company information and displayed it along with some small flags stuck in the yard.

This is the first year they were accompanied by planes.

I almost missed them, I thought it was a helicopter flying over head - as that's a sound that we hear more often than you think.

I had just happened to plunk G in her pool right before they arrived, so there was no removing her to get a better look (or better angle for pictures).

She enjoyed waving to them.Occasionally one of the women on the backseats would see her & wave back.

This year the ride brought me to tears. You could see people looking towards the signs we'd made and then they'd honk their horns & wave. All of the bikes had small flags on them, a couple bikes had large flags on them. One rider wore a flag shirt! (Even a pick-up truck or 2 went by with large flags, POW MIA flags and a wheelchair in the bed.)
It seems silly to cry over a motorcyle ride. But it's more than that. Many of these men are veterans themselves, and I'm sure they all left a buddy or 2 over there. Some of these people may have known someone who served, or just felt compeled enough to pay tribute to all those who did.

We may all feel a little less than thrilled with those in our capital, but what makes this country truly amazing is the people that choose to fight for it, and the people who live in it.

Someday, when Tyson & I have another motorcyle, it's a goal of mine to join this tribute ride.
And drive past the porch we used to enjoy watching from.