Thursday 5 July 2012

They think it's all over


Well Folks, we are at the end of the US leg of the Sea2Sea Challenge but not at the end of the ride, that will continue when we get to the UK on Saturday. Tom will ride from Heathrow to the centre of  London to lay a wreath at the Cenotaph, the memorial dedicated to those British and Commonwealth service people who have died in wars since 1914.

To get to where we are has been a huge physical and logistical challenge and I know that if I start to say thank you to individuals who have helped us I would miss many, and there have been many many such people. They have have helped, encouraged and supported us all across America. For me that help and support, rarely asked for but given without conditions that has been one of the most memorable aspects of the ride.

So let me show you the last two days in DC.

We arrived in a town just a few miles away from the city to stay overnight with a great family, Mum and Dad Jennie and David.


David is the USAF major that arranged the flight from the SE of France to Landstuhl in Germany for Tom back in September '09.   Landstuhl is the hospital to which the injured from Iraq and Afghanistan are flown.


We stayed at the home of David and Jennie and in the morning had an early start and the daily ceremony, one of the last, was held out side their home.


The last cards were read, the cards contain the name, age, rank and town from which the person came from.  They are a mix of both UK and US military service members. Reading 110 a day it has taken all the time since we started to read all the names. Later we are to read the names of those killed since we started the mission, and another 80 names.


Alvon, once again was able to demonstrate his prowess in his ability to do a headstand.


Later in the day we were joined by other bikers making a peloton of 30 odd riders for the trip to the city.

Our ride took us to the newly built hospital expressly constructed for the care and welfare of those damaged and injured by the fighting. The garrison commander of Fort Belvoir, Colonel Gadson,  himself a double amputee, wanted to welcome us and gave a very good speech to us and the other s gathered.





We were joined by a around 30 riders to make the ride into DC.


Great blokes.

Bob lead us and was the safety guy on this leg, he did a great job.

The end of the ride and Buffalo Wild Wings, they gave us a great lunch, but I have to add something here for the UK reader, there are not many Buffalo in the States and those that are there do not have wings, wild or tame. So we're talking chicken here. Very good too.

So good in fact the group had to leap into the air......


And Tom attempted to levitate...


In the evening we were privileged to be able to see the Marine Corps Tattoo, amazing music and discipline shown by the marching and even the sitting (to attention)..


The haircuts, well if you are a marine you will know how you hair will need to look...Like this....


But boy, can they march!





Following the Tattoo we went to the Marines Memorial. This is based on of of the worlds most enduring images form World War 2, the raising of the flag at Iwo Jima.












It was here we had our last reading of names, sadly we were to read the names of the youngest of those killed in the wars, all were 18 years old.





I shouldn't apologise but this is a long day, so a long Blog, but bear with me, more follows.  I didn't want to leave anything out of our time here.

This day ended for us with a trip to Krispy Creme Doughnuts.  Oh boy are they bad and good. Suger, deep fryers, dough, irresistible.

I blame out hosts  DC for introducing these fellas.



You can see, already two gone...hot from the fryer..

So now the next day....July 4th, Independence day, not a great day for the Brits!

We visit Arlington and more of this below, but first the party, to celebrate the US finish....Lynn and Rob hosted a great party, all enjoyed enormously.  Cake and Champagne, sun and warmth.  Friends and relaxation, it really doesn't get much better, Rob and Lynn, thanks you so much.



We go to Arlington, this is the American Forces National Cemetery. over 300,000 men and women are interred here, all from the military or their families.


The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is permanently guarded.



From the US  it's a very tired, happy, sad, grateful, blogger that says don't go too far, more on this blog after we finish the journey by completing the UK element.





I should be back on Monday.





Love to all.












No comments:

Post a Comment