Saturday May 31st. I left the house at 8:30 for the funeral home to escort our soldiers remains to St. John Church in West Chester for his funeral.
The escort was short but slow. A group went a head of us to set up flage at the church. As we reached the church we got off our bikes and set up a flag line snapping to attention as our soldier was removed fron the hearse. As always in respect we saluted until he was safely inside the church for the funeral.
No protestors were present so we stood down for about an hour.
As the funeral ended we again stood a flag line at attention saluting as Brandons remains were brought out to the hearse.
We mounted up and proceeded toward Gates of Heaven Cemetary in Montgomery. This was a very slow procession with the streets lined with people paying their respects. Some saluted, some stood with their hands over their hearts, and some proudly waver their flags for this American Hero. This is what makes me proud of the people of this country to see them honoring a 21 year old Hero who gave his life for our freedoms.
We reached the cemetary set up flag lines and again saluted our soldier while at attention.
The funeral continued as we stood in honor. After the service was over we parted as we always do and I led two other local bike back to Liberty Fairfield area where we live via the back roads.
Friday May 30th I checked out of work for about an hour about 1:00 PM to do a honor escort for Patriot Guard Riders (PGR) from Hodap funeral home in West Chester to Sycamore High School for a flaaen soldier from the 101st Airborne Division. When we finaly got to the school it was too late for me to go back to the office so I decided to stay and stand for this soldier.
We stood for him until 9:00 PM when we escorted his remains back to the funeral home. I returned to the house about 10:30 that night.
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Wednesday was our rideohio.org Meet & Greet at Baugards BBQ in Wilmington, Ohio.
The Southwest Ohio group started from the Wendy's in Miamitown. As it worked its way east myself, Lymon, and Mike jumped in at Tractor Supply. We were 12 bikes at that time. We made the next stop at McDonanlds in Lebanon, Ohio where we found 19 more bikes waiting on us.
Now keep in mind that Beaugards is expecting about 12 to 15 people.
We wound our way through Fort Ancient up Route 350 to Route 68 to Beaugards where more bikes from around the state were waiting.
While I don't know the exact number of bikes or people in our group I would estimate about 50 - 60 people and about that many bikes.
Lunch was wonderful. I had the 9 bone rib plate with two sides and sweet tea. Delicious!
After lunch Mickey led us on a ride South East to the river. We went south on Route 73 then east on Route 50 to Route 41 south which was a very twisty scenic ride. I loved it.
When we reached the intersection of Route 41 and Route 32 most of our group split off their own ways toward home.
Several of us continued toward the river where we finaly reached it in Aberdene. We pulled down by the river in a park where we said our goodbyes again to more of our small group after posing for pictures in front of the suspension bridge.
Two more split off here which left me, Ltmon, Mike and Mickey heading west on 56 down river.
Mickey reached his route home and made his turn while the remaining three of us from Butler County decided to stay off of the interstate at rush hour. We programed the GPS to route us through Milford to Lebanon then made our way home. In all we rode about 260 miles that day. Met some new friends and can put some faces with names on our website.
This was the best ride of the week and I hope we do another meet & Greet soon.
Tuesday I got the ride with the retired & riding guys. Rain threatened but we set out. The route took us Miami River Road to Buffalo Ridge. We ended out on Route 50 then up Cliff Road where we overlooked the river. Some more back roads then into Cedar Grove Indiana where we had lunch at the Cedar Grove tavern. A unique little bar/restaurant with four full size bowling lanes. The food was good and very reasonably priced. From here we sort of split up the group and went our own way home.
The Southwest Ohio group started from the Wendy's in Miamitown. As it worked its way east myself, Lymon, and Mike jumped in at Tractor Supply. We were 12 bikes at that time. We made the next stop at McDonanlds in Lebanon, Ohio where we found 19 more bikes waiting on us.
Now keep in mind that Beaugards is expecting about 12 to 15 people.
We wound our way through Fort Ancient up Route 350 to Route 68 to Beaugards where more bikes from around the state were waiting.
While I don't know the exact number of bikes or people in our group I would estimate about 50 - 60 people and about that many bikes.
Lunch was wonderful. I had the 9 bone rib plate with two sides and sweet tea. Delicious!
After lunch Mickey led us on a ride South East to the river. We went south on Route 73 then east on Route 50 to Route 41 south which was a very twisty scenic ride. I loved it.
When we reached the intersection of Route 41 and Route 32 most of our group split off their own ways toward home.
Several of us continued toward the river where we finaly reached it in Aberdene. We pulled down by the river in a park where we said our goodbyes again to more of our small group after posing for pictures in front of the suspension bridge.
Two more split off here which left me, Ltmon, Mike and Mickey heading west on 56 down river.
Mickey reached his route home and made his turn while the remaining three of us from Butler County decided to stay off of the interstate at rush hour. We programed the GPS to route us through Milford to Lebanon then made our way home. In all we rode about 260 miles that day. Met some new friends and can put some faces with names on our website.
This was the best ride of the week and I hope we do another meet & Greet soon.
Tuesday I got the ride with the retired & riding guys. Rain threatened but we set out. The route took us Miami River Road to Buffalo Ridge. We ended out on Route 50 then up Cliff Road where we overlooked the river. Some more back roads then into Cedar Grove Indiana where we had lunch at the Cedar Grove tavern. A unique little bar/restaurant with four full size bowling lanes. The food was good and very reasonably priced. From here we sort of split up the group and went our own way home.
Monday, May 26, 2008
We had a great ride again today. It wasn't the route I wanted to take due to the storms they were predicting although we had a wonderful time.
Vicki and I set out hoping the rain would hold off for us, and here is our actual route we took.
Liberty Fairfield Rd. This becomes Wayne Madison Rd as you cross route 4 going north. Left on Augspurger Rd. Left on 7 Mile Ave which becomes B Street. Right on West Elkton Road which becomes Warwick Rd and then becomes Hoage Rd. Right on Hamilton Richmond Rd, (177) A left on Nichols Rd.After you cross SR-27 north of McGonigle we turned right on Law Rd. A left on Booth Rd, Then right on Kehr Rd. This brought us into Oxford on Chestnut St. We located lunch at JimmyJohns and took it with us. Leaving Oxford on Morning Sun Rd (SR-732) going north we hit the main loop road into Hueston Wood State Park where we had a picnic lunch by the lake. After lunch and some beautiful sights we headed back toward home on Oxford Germantown Rd, (744). 744 into Jacksonburg, Ohio.And then continued straight on SR-122.We turned right on Mossimon Rd. Turned right on Eck Rd, the right on Howe Rd.Then a left on Elk Creek Rd. Elk Creek Rd becomes North Main St in Trenton. Left on SR 73. Then a right on 1st St. This becomes Woodsdale Rd and winds down the river. Left on Wayne Madison Rd which becomes Liberty Fairfield Rd again then a left into our neighborhood. 80 miles in all of quiet country roads with lots of twisty's and scenic views. No rain, no traffic. We both satisfied our needs of riding today even though it wasn't the same route we wanted or the length of ride we wanted but it was great.
We'll ride this route again!
Vicki and I set out hoping the rain would hold off for us, and here is our actual route we took.
Liberty Fairfield Rd. This becomes Wayne Madison Rd as you cross route 4 going north. Left on Augspurger Rd. Left on 7 Mile Ave which becomes B Street. Right on West Elkton Road which becomes Warwick Rd and then becomes Hoage Rd. Right on Hamilton Richmond Rd, (177) A left on Nichols Rd.After you cross SR-27 north of McGonigle we turned right on Law Rd. A left on Booth Rd, Then right on Kehr Rd. This brought us into Oxford on Chestnut St. We located lunch at JimmyJohns and took it with us. Leaving Oxford on Morning Sun Rd (SR-732) going north we hit the main loop road into Hueston Wood State Park where we had a picnic lunch by the lake. After lunch and some beautiful sights we headed back toward home on Oxford Germantown Rd, (744). 744 into Jacksonburg, Ohio.And then continued straight on SR-122.We turned right on Mossimon Rd. Turned right on Eck Rd, the right on Howe Rd.Then a left on Elk Creek Rd. Elk Creek Rd becomes North Main St in Trenton. Left on SR 73. Then a right on 1st St. This becomes Woodsdale Rd and winds down the river. Left on Wayne Madison Rd which becomes Liberty Fairfield Rd again then a left into our neighborhood. 80 miles in all of quiet country roads with lots of twisty's and scenic views. No rain, no traffic. We both satisfied our needs of riding today even though it wasn't the same route we wanted or the length of ride we wanted but it was great.
We'll ride this route again!
Sunday, May 25, 2008
5-25-08
I rode solo this morning while Vicki stayed home. I met up with some GWRRA members from Cincinnati, Ohio chapter "L" we headed north toward Xenia, Ohio. The weather couldn't have been better. About 81 and sunny.
Even though i'm not a GWRRA member I felt very comfortable with these riders whom i must say were very friendly and welcomed me into their ride group. A big, Thank you, to each of you today. Our lunch stop was at Clifton Mill. A very interesting old place and the food was great.
Tomorrow the Mrs and I have a ride east toward Hillsboro then I want to drop down toward the river and cross the ferry into Agusta Kentucky and ride south from there until we're ready to head home.
I rode solo this morning while Vicki stayed home. I met up with some GWRRA members from Cincinnati, Ohio chapter "L" we headed north toward Xenia, Ohio. The weather couldn't have been better. About 81 and sunny.
Even though i'm not a GWRRA member I felt very comfortable with these riders whom i must say were very friendly and welcomed me into their ride group. A big, Thank you, to each of you today. Our lunch stop was at Clifton Mill. A very interesting old place and the food was great.
Tomorrow the Mrs and I have a ride east toward Hillsboro then I want to drop down toward the river and cross the ferry into Agusta Kentucky and ride south from there until we're ready to head home.
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