Today’s route ran from Junction City Kansas to Wentzville Missouri. It was a hot humid day with some wind, but nothing serious. We felt a few sprinkles early but those were very short-lived. All in all, it was great riding weather.
The second leg of the day, I rode the Missing Man Formation for LCPL Christopher B. Wasser, KIA, Iraq. Please read his bio. Click the image to get a bigger version. When you ride for the Missing Man, you ride at Attention. You don’t salute others, and you don’t wave at patriots who come out to support the mission. It’s a duty of carrying the missing man’s honor, which is intended to be formal, respectful, and intentional. While I did not know LCPL Wasser, it was an honor to learn of his dedication to country that lead to him giving the ultimate sacrifice. LCPL Wasser, you are not forgotten.
We ate lunch in Concordia Missouri, a town I remember fondly from my first year riding with another organization. This town goes all-in to provide a memorable lunch in the park. Flags line the street, people wave from their homes, businesses, street corners, and sidewalks as we pass through town. This year even the Concordia Bank sign’s digital marquis read “Thank you for your service”. Crysten and I made a short Facebook Live video while in Concordia, you can view that here. Upon our arrival, we were greeted by a large number of townsfolk who had made enough food to feed a number of riders exponentially larger than our group. There was so much provided that they asked us all to take some on the road with us to enjoy later. Besides their kindness and generosity, there was a standout moment that came from the Concordia Mayor, Michael Brown. Nestled in the middle of his kind words of welcome and well wishes of safety for our journey Mayor Brown said these words, “In a time where people are tearing down monuments, you are building living monuments.” Poignant words in a troubled time.
After lunch, we ticked off the miles to Wentzville Missouri where we were treated by an immense US Flag suspended across the street between the ladders of two fire engines. There is no way to describe the magnitude of the impact that flag had on our riders from the time we saw it until the time we rode under it. Crysten, correctly stated for me and many others, “it is raining again.” It indeed was raining inside many of our helmets. Once we were parked, the local veteran’s service organizations held a ceremony where we were honored with words from a State Representative, the Wentzville Mayor, the local VFW Post Commander, a rifle volley, and the playing of Taps. I was moved by the heartfelt, meaningful words from each of those who spoke. They truly love and honor this country and those who sacrifice for its freedoms. We were also gifted with a barbecued steak dinner, which was oh so very good.
Tomorrow we continue to move Eastwards towards our objective, Washington DC.
