All Veterans Day Run
Anderson, South Carolina
9 November 2008
This mission ride was a short notice run to Anderson, South Carolina in support of our Brothers and Sisters of the South Carolina, Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association.
included (not inclusive; I don’t remember all the names) Bulldog (SR), Keeno (CO), Little Johnny (XO), Daddy (SAA), Easy, MoFo, Angus, Cat, Merlin, Cappy, and other members.
Holly, Daddy’s wife had a big lunch laid out for us to eat, which included desert and all you could drink. It was awesome. Thanks Holly! After lunch, desert and swapping all of the stories that we could think of we had KSU at 1345 hrs for the ride to the Civic Center.
When we arrived at the Civic Center it was an awesome sight to see; motorcycles lined up two abreast from the street to way back around the building (probably 300 plus motorcycles). Departure was 1330 hrs after a small ceremony at the War Memorial at the Civic Center. Pictures were made with the Georgia and South Carolina CVMA members along with the Teufelshunde, USMC; MC. Teufelshunde is German for “Devil Dog”.
We departed the Civic Center with the line of motorcycles stretching several miles. Lady Bug took video of the complete ride from the Civic Center to the Richard M. Campbell Veterans Home. Once at the Veterans home we ming All correspondence was through Little Johnny, the XO of the South Carolina CVMA Chapter.
The day was beautiful with a high sky and morning temperature in the high 30’s warming to around 60 degrees in the afternoon.
War Hog arrived at Camp Dewman in Grayson, Ga. promptly at 0915 with KSU at 0930 hrs. Dewman, Lady Bug and War Hog then rode at a good pace arriving at exit 177 off of I-85 at 1045 hrs (nice run) where we met with Slingblade coming out of Hartwell, Ga.
We gassed and stretched a bit and then KSU at 1115 hrs for the run to the Waffle House on Clemson Blvd. in South Carolina to meet with Regulator. We had just pulled in when Regulator arrived riding the Kermit green machine. We talked a while, took a picture and departed at 1150 hrs for the run to Daddy’s house (SAA of S.C. CVMA) where we were to pre-stage with our South Carolina brothers/sisters and eat lunch.
On arrival at Daddy’s house in Anderson we met with Merlin and Cappy (Fla. Transfer’s to S.C.) who would be riding with the South Carolina chapter for the first time.
The S.C. CVMA members arrived and we had a round of introductions and welcome homes to one another. The South Carolina Chapter members led with the veterans, shook hands and talked with them as some had come out (wheel chairs and all) to greet us as we greeted them.
The program at the veteran’s home included a 21 gun salute provided by civil war re-enactors (both north and south represented).
The Jr. ROTC Marine Corps youth members presented the colors, and the bugler played taps. This had all been set up around a very small field outside of the veteran’s home. The veterans were called to attention and presented arms during the playing of taps.
Four parachutists then exited a fixed wing aircraft high above us just as order arms were called. They descended towards the ground to land in the small field where a white marker had been set.
As the first parachutist descended he unfurled a very large American flag which was tethered to his leg. A rather large sand bag hanging below the American flag kept the Flag unfurled. As this parachutist descended slowly in great arch’s and turns the other three parachutists remained high, carried upon the air currents awaiting their respective turns to descend.
The first parachutist descended to the LZ, landing right on target. It was a beautiful sight. The second parachutist descended soloing much the same as the first parachutist, and hit the LZ.
The third parachutist had a slight problem and came down in a field amongst the trees adjacent to the marked LZ. Someone (maybe War Hog?) commented that the Air Force dropped him in the wrong area and he was lucky that he made it this far; but after discussion it was finally decided that Shadow was making a guest appearance to show what a real paratrooper could do and just flat out missed the LZ. LOL
The fourth parachutist slowly made his descent and landed right on the money in the dime size LZ where they were landing. They were all outstanding and put on a very professional aerial show on their descent to the LZ.
After a little more visitation with the veterans in the Veteran’s Home and with our South Carolina brothers/sisters the Georgia members bid their farewells and departed back to their respective home sites.
This was an absolutely fun and great riding day for a good cause. I can’t wait until the next run.
Dewman
Chapter Commander