May 14, 2023 - In Ontario

   May 14, 2023 - In Ontario

Today was a great way to start because we could sleep in. Kind of. We still got up early. The only thing on the agenda is registration. With nothing really going on, we decided to go to Riverside National Cemetery. Larry, Ron, Jeremy and I head over.

We met Jeremy Rousseau yesterday and he wanted to join us. I asked if he would mind giving me a little bit of his background in the service. He served in the US Army from 1989-1999. DS/DA 1991. He was an M1A1 Abrams Tank Gunner. Duty stations were Ft. Dix, NJ; Ft. Belvoit,VA; Ft. Knox, KY; Ft. Carson, CO; Germany; Korea. Thanks, Jeremy, for your service!!!

Google:

Riverside National Cemetery (RNC) is a cemetery located in Riverside, California, dedicated to the interment of United States military personnel. The cemetery covers 1,250 acres (510 ha), making it the largest cemetery managed by the National Cemetery Administration.  It has been the most active cemetery in the system since 2000, based on the number of interments.

Riverside National Cemetery is home of the Medal of Honor Memorial, one of four sites in the United States recognized by the U.S. Congress as a National Medal of Honor Memorial Site. The Medal of Honor Memorial walls feature the names of all medal recipients.

Definition for Medal of Honor: 

1. The highest US military decoration, awarded by Congress to a member of the armed forces for gallantry and bravery in combat at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty.

The names of each of the 3,455 Medal of Honor recipients is inscribed on the polished granite. The recipients are listed in decoration date order arranged by conflict period beginning with the Civil War all the way thru Iraq / Afghanistan.

On the plaza to the memorial is a symbol for each branch of the military.

These are the two walls as you enter into the granite walls.

"For conspicuous Gallantry and Intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty"

The granite walls....

Names we saw were Theodore Roosevelt, Douglas MacArthur.  Names with stars represent that they have received more than one medal.  There are 19. 

Mary Edwards was the only female. Single names represent the native Indian.

 Native Indians

In 2015, our FNG year, we had the privilege to ride with Leroy Petry.  He is the third name on the left.

As we leave this memorial, Jeremy goes over to a lady and her son to thank them. They are visiting her dad who served in the Korean War.

The headstones are set like this, unlike Arlington.

There is one section we drove past that had astro turf around the headstones.

This is a special area.

Here is an example of one in this area.

The Prisoner of War/Missing in Action memorial was designated a National Memorial by the U.S. Congress on December 10, 2004, and dedicated September 16, 2005. A bronze statue, sculpted by Vietnam veteran Lewis Lee Millett Jr. is the image of an American serviceman on his knees and bound by his captors. The statue is surrounded by black marble pillars, representing imprisonment.

We head back and get registered.  In the parking lot afterwards, there are a few bikes that are very cool.

With lots more people coming in, I hope to have a few more to show you.

Today was such a fun time.  It is family reunion time!!!  If you have been watching my blog over the years, I am sure you will remember some of them. Also, you will notice some strange names.  Most have road names.  I do not even know some of their real names.

Ron and Hillbilly.  Hillbilly is going to be a road guard this year.

These are some of the guys from the platoon we were in last year.  This year Larry and I will be riding in Ron's platoon.  Larry is the assistant platoon leader.  I will be helping with leadership support (you will see what that is as we head out).

Larry and Jeb. Jeb is another one of the platoon leaders.

Lillian and Larry.  Lillian is our seamstress.  Everyone has vests.  She is just the lady to sew on new patches before we leave.

Hillbilly and Wild Bill.  Wild Bill is a Vietnam vet, 74 and still riding.  He is on our advanced road guard team.

This is Gomez.....  Funny guy and I am sure you will see some of his antics down the road. He is also a veteran.  His comment to Larry is "just 2 beers".

Patio is James Gregory's wife.  James, "Gunny", is one of the founding fathers for the Run.  We will catch up with him tomorrow.

Tomorrow will truly be a continuation of the reunion from tonight.  I cannot wait.

Flag is from the Elk Lodge.  They are the facility hosting our meeting and some of our meals.