Meeting Chris' Family

On Friday I finally got to meet the family of the officer I rode for when they were flown to DC for Police Week. I had spoken to Tracy a couple times and it was great to finally meet her along with her children Conner and Kaylee and their escorts from San Diego. I just wish it had been under more happier reasons. I presented them with wristbands I had worn in Chris' honor and memory from GA along with FLETC and agency patches and route sheets from the ride.  We sat and talked a while getting to known each other before I presented them with a flag flown off my bike from Ft. Hunt to the Pentagon. We said our goodbyes until we meet again. They gave me a memorial shirt Kaylee designed with Chris' EOW, badge number and initials. This one will not be worn but place in my collection of memories.
I also wanted to thanks some people for supporting me on the journey. My list of sponsors and supporters is long......my family, friends, the FCSO for the special assignment, Lustine Toyota, Fairfax EAC, The Fairfax Deputy Sheriff's Coalition 5016 and  FCSO Sheriff's Association and all the folks who purchased raffle tickets from me last fall.

Thank you again.

Day #12- Aquia, VA to the Pentagon-55+ miles

 Day 12 of my ride from FLETC to the Pentagon outside Washington, DC. Today was the last day of actual riding for the 2011 "Ride for Hope". At 0930, approximately 300 riders started out on the last part of the tour for this year. We rode up Route 1 with a big escort of motors and cruisers to hold the intersections for us. Many riders were tired from the 3 day trip from Chesapeake but they continued to ride their hearts out. Our first stop was at the Marine Corps Museum near Quantico, VA. This is always a favorite stop for all the "Devil Dogs" on the ride as the gather for pictures. After the break we road up through Prince William County past a warm welcome form the Eastern District of the Prince William County Police. Next up was Fairfax County and homebase for alot of the riders. We were met by the award winning Fairfax County Sheriff's Office Honor Guard at the county line. They looked very sharp coming off their win at the Police Week Honor Guard Competiton. Special thanks goes out to the FCSO civil enforcement branch who had all the intersections cleared for us from the county line to the GW Parkway.
After passing Mount Vernon, the home of our first president, we continued to Fort Hunt Park where were greeted by many familiar faces including many of the FCSO Command Staff. It was nice to see such support from my agency after being gone almost 2 weeks. The NOVA United Riders greatly appreciate the support we get every year from our agency. After a nice lunch, we headed up through Alexandria, VA and through the roundabout at the Memorial Bridge to the headquarters of the DEA for a piping in from the "Black and Gold" pipe and drum unit from DEA. They are a very impressive group to watch and listen to.

 We were on the bikes one last time "officially" as we rode over the the Pentagon for the arrival ceremonies. Were we cheered on by many family members and friends as we took those last few pedals. The riders were greeted by the Boards of C.O.P.S. and ODMP and checks were donated in the amount of 135,000 and 50,000 to each organization. Not bad for a bunch of LEs in only their second year. Once all the ceremonies were over, about 20 riders decided to ride to the memorial in an "unofficial" group. Due to politics we are asked not to ride to the NLEOM so we ride as individuals to pay our respects.  I found the name of the officer i rode from GA some 12 days ago on Panel 11 on the east side of the memorial. I made 3 etchings of his name for his family whom I will meet on Friday. After spending a few minutes to reflect on the ride, we headed back to our hotels and some of us back home.

Day #11 Richmond VA to Aquia, VA- 75 miles

 Today's leg of the 2011 "Ride for Hope" started off in Richmond, VA at 0830.  We traveled through the streets of Richmond with a police escort at a nice pace. Stretching out the legs after the 109 mile day on Tuesday. The first memorial stop was at State Police Headquarters in Henrico County where Officer Andre Booker was remembered. After leaving this stop we took a break in Doswell before stopping for the annual peanut butter and jelly sandwich and fresh strawberry lunch in Ladysmith. This is an LEU tradition. In Spotsylvania, VA we stopped to remember Deputy Dean Ridings who was a 2010 LODD, His son, who is a Spotsylvania deputy sheriff is riding with the LEU this year to honor his dad. From there the riders went to the Fredericksburg, VA police headquarters for a memorial to their officers. My mom and several of her friends were there to greet me when we arrived. It was nice to see familar faces. Next stop was Stafford County, Va and as everyone in LEU knows, Stafford County comes out in force to welcome us. EVERY intersection was covered with a deputy, overpasses had signs, and along Route 1 placards were placed with the name of each LODD from last year. The fire department had a flag hanging form a ladder truck at the entrance to the government center. Their ceremony included a wreath laying and "taps" played from the rooftop. From this point it was a 4 mile ride to the hotel and the last night most of us will stay together as we are close to home. Tomorrow we have a late start, as not to conflict with another group of cyclists from Florida using the same roads. We ride into Prince William, Fairfax, and Alexandria before finishing at the Pentagon.

Day #10 Chesapeake to Richmond, VA- 109 miles

 We started off this day assembling for the " Ride for Hope" in the parking lot to load suitcases and get the bikes ready. Everyone was scurrying around making last minute adjustments to their bikes. The LEU had a opening ceremony where we had a keynote address from a special agent from the FBI National Academy. The totals were read and LEU will be writing a check to C.O.P.S. for $ 135,000 for the camp and $ 50,000 to ODMP for the  webpage. Not bad numbers for a 2 year old organization of law enforcement officers. The ride started out at 0800 hours and we headed through Chesapeake, Portsmouth and Suffolk and throught the town of Smithfield. Every  year the children at a local elementary school come out the greet us. This year we stopped at the school and we took time to talk with the kids on a break. Lunch was served at a state park and then onto the James River Ferry. This year the ride had to be split up and 2 trips made because the larger ferries were down for service. We continued up through Williamsburg , Toano and into Richmond late in the afternoon arriving at the hotel at 1930 hours. After a late dinner we head off to rest for tomorrow. The ride tomorrow is from Richmond to Stafford County. A total of over 85 miles.
The cruiser picture I have posted is a memorial to the two Buchanan Va deputies killed earlier this year. It was flat bedded from SWVA to accompany us to the Pentagon.

Day 9- A day for rest.

Monday May 9th was a day of rest so the speak. The 400 members of Law Enforcement United were all converging on Chesapeake to get ready for the " Ride for Hope". Teams from Texas, New England, Minnesota, North and South Carolina, Virginia and New Jersey could be seen in the lobby. Bikes were being adjusted, registrations, medical, hotel info checked. My team from Fairfax arrived at mid morning. We were treated to a luncheon and then the LEU held their general meeting and election of new officers for 2012. Tomorrow was the big day and everyone appeared ready for the ride to the Pentagon. We find out the totals for contributions to C.O.P.S. and ODMP.

Day #8- Edenton, NC to Chesapeake, VA- 103 miles

We rode out this day with the sunny skies gone and clouds everywhere. The rains came quickly and we continued on. The riders had sporadic escort in the driving rain.  We were able to maintain a 17 mph pace over the 100 miles even with the rains. When we reached the Currituck Ferry we were met by a Chesapeake Police Officer who rode this route last year. He had brought us lunch which was a unexpected treat. after the ferry ride the skies cleared up and we continued to the hotel. We had ridden over 800 miles together without an accident. With less than 1/2 mile to go, several of the riders tangled and two riders went down. One of the riders ended up at the hospital. Fortunately, he was just bruised and road rashed. He was cleared to ride on Tuesday.
Tomorrow is a rest day with everyone converging on the hotel.

Day 7- Kinston, NC to Edenton, NC - 103 miles

 Well today marked our 7th day on the long ride from FLETC in Brunswick, GA. We have become a group who did not know each other at all in the beginning to one that can move down the road as a unit at a whopping 18+ mph average over 100 miles. Today we held 3 memorials for officers who gave their lives for different communities in Pitts County, Greenville and Edenton. The people down here really hold these men in high regard and honor their memory. We stopped in one small town where the local police and sheriff and town civic board welcomed us to their community. They thanked us for taking the time to remember them and the civic group make home made food for us to snack on. Several times local law enforcement officers joined us to ride our route. When we entered Edenton, NC both the Sheriff of Chowan County and the Chief of Police of Edenton rode with us. We had hoped for a sprint to the finish line but to no avail. After a brief memorial service along the water, we were treated to a Fried Chicken dinner. Tomorrow is our last day before arriving in Chesapeake. We will be going our separate ways as some head home and others stay to ride the LEU "Ride for Hope".