Vietnam Vets 5th annual Memorial Motorcycle Run

This was sent by one of my friends Jan Benoit, mentioned in this article.

GARDNER — As the sun shone brightly over Elm Street Sunday morning, President Norman Webb of the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 907 had a simple message for the hundreds of motorcyclists gathered in the parking lot of American Legion Post 129.

“Find your bikes,” he said, “and let’s get ready to rock.”

The group’s fifth annual Memorial Motorcycle Run and Barbecue brought together more than 600 bikers and hundreds more members of the community for a day of riding and remembrance, a way to honor those who died while serving in the military, while celebrating the freedom for which they sacrificed their lives.

Mr. Webb, who helped create the event as an alternative for veterans unable to travel to the Vietnam Veterans of America’s annual gathering at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington , D.C. , said this year’s ride was focused on honoring all of the area’s veterans and fallen soldiers.

He did, however, make particular mention of the 11 soldiers from Gardner who died in Vietnam , each of whose names are inscribed on the national memorial. He said his organization is currently working to gather information about those soldiers in order to create a tribute on its Web site, http://www.vietnamveterans907.com.

“We’re doing it actually for all the vets,” he said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the 11 people down on the wall.”

After opening ceremonies at the American Legion Post — including Tara Morgan’s rendition of the national anthem and a firing squad and color guard from the legion — the gathered riders traveled to Rindge , N.H. for a service at the Cathedral of the Pines.

The group then traveled back to Gardner , meeting an already-in-progress barbecue at the Gardner Fish and Gun Club on Clark Street .

“This is our best year yet,” said James Benton, the secretary of the local Vietnam veterans chapter, outside the club as people formed a long line for barbecued chicken. Both the sunny weather and the high turnout, he said, were “absolutely perfect.”

The event has become a significant fundraiser for the group, said Mr. Benton, allowing for outreach into the community and collaborative efforts with other organizations. Tom Cross, a member of the veterans group, noted that before the success of the motorcycle run — which has more than tripled in size since its inception — the group “couldn’t afford to buy a stamp.”

Janice Benoit, another member of the group who has taken part in the yearly event since it began, agreed that it has become increasingly successful. She also noted the time and energy needed to plan and put on the run and barbecue, adding that planning has already started for next year.

“It gets bigger every year, it really does,” she said. “I’m amazed at how great people are.”

The author of a recent book about post-traumatic stress syndrome, Ms. Benoit also stressed the importance of remembering that the basis of the yearly event — and of the Memorial Day holiday — is to honor the sacrifice of fallen servicemen and women and remember those who have and continue to serve. For service members returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, she said, ailments like PTSD and the basic challenge of reintegrating into civilian life make the need for continued support all the more critical.

The community’s support for Sunday’s event was clear, with vendors setting up tables, volunteers raffling off a number of donated prizes and local band The Game providing live musical entertainment.

Police Officer Richard Braks led the motorcycle run on the Police Department’s new Harley-Davidson FLH motorcycle, which was officially put into service Sunday. The bike bears the number “907” in honor of the local Vietnam veterans group, which made a donation for the vehicle’s graphics.

“It’s kind of the maiden voyage,” said Officer Braks, who said the city previously had a police motorcycle before budget cuts forced the department to discontinue the vehicle. Bringing a motorcycle back into service, he said, provides police with both a versatile law enforcement tool and a valuable means through which to improve community outreach.

“It’s a conversation starter with the community,” he said, particularly with younger people and those with an interest in motorcycles.

Like Ms. Benoit, Officer Braks spoke of the “great cause” that led to the annual race and the theme of remembrance at the heart of Memorial Day. While bringing together the community to honor the military’s fallen is a positive and appropriate way to celebrate the day, he said such gatherings can never truly give the thanks that is owed.

“The ceremonies are definitely not enough for those that have served us,” he said.

dkittredge@thegardnernews.com



"As water reflects a face, so a man's heart reflects the man."
Proverbs 27:19

Jan Benoit
janicembenoit@yahoo.com