Hard Seals and Iron Butts

In June of 2005 four hard Navy Seals left their base in Afghanistan on a mission against the Taliban. The names of these incredible warriors are:

• Matthew Axelson
• Michael Murphy
• Danny Dietz
• Marcus Luttrell

The next day three of them were dead, one later being awarded the Medal of Honor.

The day they died 16 very brave men flew into harms way in a helicopter to rescue the Seals, only to be shot down and killed during the rescue effort. The survivor, Marcus Luttrell, fought for his life for many days until he was finally rescued. He went on to write the book “Lone Survivor”.

In my opinion, anyone who wakes up safe under the flag of the United States of America should read the book. I don’t care if you support our military efforts in Afghanistan or not. As George Orwell said “We sleep safely in our beds because brave men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would do us harm.” And now our women protect us as well, of course.

What is one to do in honor of these brave souls, as well as all the others out there?

One man, Jim Otto, founded REDWING 19, INC to honor these men.

www.REDWING19.com

Another man, Mike Kneebone, president of the Iron Butt Association worked with Jim and came up with a plan to raise funds for the families of the 19 heroes killed on a remote, desolate mountain. The Iron Butt Association is a club for bikers who like to ride long distances in a limited amount of time. Their annual event is a ride around the United States, where you get extra points if you stop by Alaska. I am not kidding.

A motorcycle ride was planned to raise funds and break records. The funds were raised by charging a fee to join the ride. The ride broke records by signing up 500 bikers to ride 1,000 miles in 24 hours or less, all within the borders of the Commonwealth of Virginia.

So that was two records:
• Largest such ride (500 bikers)
• All within one state

As you might expect, I signed up for this one. Come on! How could I miss a long hard ride in support of such deserving families?

Two other friends, John and Steve, joined me, along with 497 other lesser known friends.

I left home at 4:45 Saturday morning, and returned at 1:30 Sunday morning.

The ride was spectacular. We left the staging area at 5:30 am, fifty at a time and traveled to:
• Richmond
• Norfolk, home of Navy Seal Teams
• On to I-81 in western VA
• Down to Bristol VA near the North Carolina border. Kudos to Black Wolf Harley-Davidson for hosting our lunch break.
• Back up to I-66
• And East to the staging area

The ride went very well for the first 850 miles. John and Steve really know how to pick ‘em up and put ‘em down. Mile after mile after mile.

Then, coming North on I-81 we hit a little rain. By “little” I mean animals lining up two by two. The rain was so heavy that my waterproof riding jacket was soaked through to the skin. The rain was so heavy that we literally could not see the road … except when the lightening shot overhead.

Hey! Time for a little break! So we pealed off the next exit and hung out with about 30 of our lesser known friends at the local gas station until the rain let up.

And off we went. Picking ‘em up and putting ‘em down. Mile after mile after mile.

Our 18 hour ride took 19 hours because of the elephants, and zebras, and hippos and all other God’s creatures lining up two by two on I-81.

What a great ride!

What a great fund raiser!!

What an honor to ride in support of the families of Redwing 19.

Mike Kneebone handed me my second Iron Butt certificate, and it was a great pleasure to meet him. Mike is legendary in the long distance riding circles. Think of it this way; the long, grueling ride we took is entry level to the Iron Butt Association. Entry level!

Got home at 1:30 am, informed my wife to put the life insurance policy back in the file drawer, took a shower and slept like a baby.

Safe.

Under the flag.