"Yea, Hell Yea!"

Laying of the Wreath

Rob. "Yea, Hell Yea!"

Posting a new flag

Taps

Sidney Crosby, right, celebrating Marian Hossa’s goal that beat the Rangers, who were eliminated in the second round for the second year in a row.

(This photo only by David Denoma/Reuters)



(CLICK ON IMAGES TO ENLARGE)

It started its free fall from 7500 feet within the low stratus clouds. The fall abruptly ended on the front of my Helmet windscreen, as the drop hit in a circular pattern then transformed into a teardrop shape, harmlessly sliding to the bottom. By the time I reached the meeting place for our Rolling Thunder ride I was soaked to the bone. I was met by Bill who looked at the water running off of me like rats running off of the Titanic. I knew I that I must smell like an old, wet, hunting dog, but Bill being raised with proper manners never validated my feelings. Bill did drop a hammer on me by saying, “The ride is postponed until tomorrow!” That was yesterday.

Today started out at a horse show—Judged Pleasure Ride--in the very early morning. I finished the shoot there, and I barely made it back to the starting point again at the VFW lodge in Lower Burrell Pennsylvania for our “Laying of the Wreath” run. The riders were less in numbers than the day before, but it was an honorable group nonetheless that gave up their day twice to ride to honor the Vets and Troops in all wars. Soon, we were off for Kittanning for the wreath laying ceremony. We arrived at a very old cemetery that had veterans dating back to the Civil War amongst its residents. On this day the raindrops spared me, as the sun painted the perfect landscape. The ride was uneventful, a very nice and peaceful one … the healing kind.

To ride behind and watch these mostly older riders who have never lost their youthful sense of wonder put a smile on my face. They all were riding for those of you who cannot. They were riding for those who never could. They as individuals choose to ride in support of all vets, and the warmth of their passion radiated thought-out the day. I was honored to ride with them, and to cover their back.

At a red light on hwy 56, I pulled up next to Rob who is an Iraq War vet. He finished up his last tour in Iraq in 2004 and is now retired from the Army. I looked over at Rob who sitting in the traffic lane to my right, and I said, “I bet you are happy to be back, and to be riding on your Harley.” “Yea, Hell Yea” Rob exuberantly replied with the smile of a young boy coming from of his heart. He, more than most people that day did not take this ride, and our freedom that we have to do a ride like this for granted. It made me feel the same, as I knew that he went through hell to be able to say that with such honest and genuine passion.

The ceremony was attended not only by the riders, but also by citizens of Kittanning who greeted us like family. The wreath was placed prominently at the designated gravesite among a sea of American flags. Words were spoken, thoughts were considered, and feelings conveyed … the healing kind.

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Sports Update:

The Penguins defeated the wily New York Rangers in overtime! The score was 3 to 2. They now will play their notorious cross state rivals, the Philadelphia Flyers, for the Eastern championship, and the right to fight for the Stanley Cup. Well-done Sid the Kid, and the hometown boys.

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Photos:
1. Laying of the Wreath
2. Rob, Iraq Vet. “Yea, Hell yea!”
3. Posting new flag.
4. Taps … a hauntingly eloquent rendition by bagpipes.

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This annual Honor Ride was put together by Rolling Thunder, Inc. Chapter 4 Pennsylvania. This is before Memorial Day so the local chapter can make the national event in Washington D.C. later in the month. There, they do a national protest of our the way our Government, in regard to the MIA and POW issues, have lingered ineffectively with other countries lack of cooperation in returning our dead servicemen and women for such a long time. Rolling Thunder has a website if you are interested in attending: http://www.rollingthunder1.com/

The protest has as an average attendance of 500,000 bikes! The attendees, and the Government who send VIPs every year to speak, take this annual protest very seriously.

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Keep your heads down,

Henry Hill, Plum Pennsylvania