- Arrives in Cherry Hill, NJ - Tuesday,
April 14th, 2009
-
 
ESCORT.... (CLICK HERE FOR ESCORT PHOTO
GALLERY)I want to thank all the individuals, groups and families. that took the
time to participate in today's' mission, To bring the "Wall That Heals" to
Cherry Hill.
It was cold. It was wet. We got it here.
It was an honor to view some of the memorabilia associated with the wall.
As the forecast was looking dim for this ride. I was hoping that 25 bikes
would show. As I saw the various groups coming down Rt 295 to make the
turnaround to the rest area, my spirits were lifted as we hit the 50 mark
and to the best of my knowledge the final count was 70 bikes. I never did
count the police carsor the cages. If anyone has a total please let me
know.
The LEOS did a fantastic job of guiding us along RT 295. Medofrd,
Willingboro thank you for sending your officers and vehicles to Camden
County.
To the Cherry Hill Fire Department. Thank you for the coffee and other
refreshments at the rest area. Forgive me for not getting the word to you
in time to get the flag displayed along Chapel Ave.
To the American Legion Riders, Thank you for your support and resources to
make this happen.
Sue Quinn-Morris, for what you did to get this event to actually happen
Thank You.
THANK YOU to the Veterans of this country and to their families.
---Tom Bietz - Escort Coordinator
"The Down Payment"
Nothing was ever easy about Vietnam, nor was it yesterday but like Vietnam
it was something that needed to be done.
I think before we can understand why we had to brave dangerous cold and
wet conditions yesterday to escort the symbol of America's Vietnam heroes
we must first understand what they accomplished by their sacrifice and the
conditions of that sacrifice. It is a great feat that has been buried and
hidden by Pop culture and the intelligentsia but in history books still
yet to written it will be noted as the defining moment of the 20th
Century.
Vietnam was the lynchpin battle of the larger post World War II Cold War.
What we thought were wars and conflicts like Korea, Vietnam, proxy wars in
Africa, Asia and South America were when looked at, in the context of the
larger era, a series of battles, some major some not so, that let to the
defeat of worldwide communism's proliferation among nations. The effort to
subjugate peoples under the onerous yoke of communism was defeated in
places like Vietnam and on the economic battlefield at home. It was a war
of attrition. Fought in hot battles and fought with the economic might of
the American worker, innovator, and entrepreneur. It was a war that pitted
the free spirit of a proud and industrious people against a political
machine that enslaved their population and mandated their loyalty not out
of love but out of fear.
Before Vietnam, the great world powers of China and the Soviet Union and
their puppet states behind the Iron Curtain were allies and friends bound
together to destroy America and its allies, and stifle the freedom of all
mankind. Through a series of wars, battles and conflicts this great World
War III, known as the Cold War was anything but cold. We challenged the
communists on every continent, through direct conflict, as in Korea and
Vietnam or through conflicts fought by proxies in Africa, Asia and South
America. It was longer and more far reaching than any modern war America
has ever known. Vietnam served to divide our enemies leaving Soviets and
the Chinese no longer allied and plainly distrustful of each other. From
there our economic powerhouse fueled by the American spirit of innovation,
hard work and entrepreneurism was able to apply the final blow to the
Soviet juggernaut and tear down the Iron Curtain.
Vietnam was fought largely by men conscripted by a country who asked them
for all that they had and then when they were finished with them threw
them aside. These men and women were subjected to the slings and arrows of
their countrymen as well as by the enemy in the field. Victorious on the
battlefield they returned home not to joyous celebrations but instead to
the disdain and disrespect of much lesser men who gave nothing for their
country while expecting so much from it.
Yesterday, we had an opportunity to in a small but important way to right
that wrong and correct that injustice. We showed our community, our fellow
veterans and the families whose loved ones names appear on that wall that
they mattered. We showed them that their sacrifice mattered, that they are
heroes who should be revered and honored, for their sacrifice. Those men
and women whose names appear on that wall like the patriots who went
before them paid for the freedom that we all enjoy.
In raising my son I told him first and foremost he must have a
relationship with God and secondly he must know who he is and what he is
about as a foundation for all life's decisions.
One of those foundational beliefs for me is acknowledging my debts.
Yesterday I was able to do that. It was right and proper to take a day off
of work and face cold and dangerous road conditions to bring attention,
praise and honor to men and women who paid the ultimate price for my
freedom. It was a debt I must pay.
Yes, years ago America was disrespectful to these men and women but what
is so great about our country is that although we make grave mistakes, we
are introspective and reforming.
America is not perfect but it is always trying to perfect itself.
Our Judeo-Christian values teach us that perfection is all but impossible
but striving for perfection must always be our mission.
Yesterday we paid a small payment on a debt that cannot be repaid.
Frederick R. Giebel, Jr. ("Fritz")
Director,
The American Legion Riders
South Jersey Chapter
steelhorsecowboy@gmail.com
"Still Serving….Still Riding"
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"The Wall That Heals" will be escorted in
on Tuesday, April 14, 2009 and escorted out on Monday, April 20, 2009.
Escort Coordinator - Tom Beitz
-wallescort372@yahoo.com
- Be sure to check out his
Message Board
for updated news
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