Run for the Wall 2015

In roughly three months, I'll ride to Ontario, California to meet with some of the leaders and riders for this year's Run for the Wall.  As a retired Marine and rider who writes, my goal is to come away with individual stories and a collective story about this annual event.

As a brief background, the Run for the Wall originated in 1989 as the inspiration of Vietnam veterans "The Gunny" (Gunnery Sergeant James Gregory, USMC Retired) and Bill Evans.  The goal: ride their motorcycles to Washington DC to visit the Vietnam Memorial (AKA The Wall) as part of the second Rolling Thunder Rally.  Focused on POW/MIA, for deeply personal reasons The Gunny was particularly invested in the status of Marines Lance Corporal Hargrove, Private First Class Hall, and Private Marshall, who had been left behind on Koh Tang Island during the attempted rescue of the SS Mayaguez and her crew.  Later reports indicate the three Marines were subsequently captured and executed by the Khmer Rouge.  Originally classified as MIA, in July, 1976 their status was changed to KIA (not recovered).

On that initial ride, dubbed Run for the Wall (RFTW) by Bill Evans, over 100 riders began the journey, with 15 going all the way.  The rest, as the saying goes, is history.

As offered in Run For The Wall: Remembering Vietnam on a Motorcycle Pilgrimage by authors Michalowski and Dubisch, RFTW is now an "American ritual."  It is this "ritual" that I will write about, from the perspectives of the participants.

Ironically, RFTW 2015 will begin 40 years, almost to the day, and 8,300 miles from the events of the SS Mayaguez attempted rescue (12-15 May, 1975).

If you are going to ride in Run for the Wall 2015, please reach out so I can be sure to sit down and learn your story during my time in Ontario on 11-12 May.  Comment on this post or send a note to o6rider@gmail.com and we'll  arrange to meet. 


    

Fire Brian Williams (#FireBrianWilliams)

It has come out that Brian Williams, of NBC Nightly News, flat out lied about being on a military helicopter that was shot down in Iraq in 2003.

His explanation?  That he "misremembered" and "conflated."

There is no way to misremember or conflate being shot at, let alone being shot down.

He has perpetuated this lie, just as Hillary Clinton serially lied about landing under sniper fire in Bosnia, during a visit with daughter Chelsea while the First Lady.

Shameless, inexcusable self promotion seeking to assume some level of displayed bravery is the lowest form of cowardice.  Their actions, perpetuated multiple times, insult the brave men and women who are serving and have served in the Armed Forces, which neither Williams or Clinton have done.  Moreover, their lies are straightforward disrespect for the men and women who were wounded or killed in action.

The voters will determine if this will disqualify Ms. Clinton, should she decide to run for President.  Not much else can be done at the moment in her case.

However, in the Williams' case, swift and sure action must be demanded.  NBC Nightly News must, say again MUST, immediately and publicly fire Brian Williams.  None of the usual claptrap about mutually agreeing to go separate ways.  He is a supposed journalist and has a national microphone.  So he must be publicly FIRED.  Anyone who seeks to enhance their personal stature by repeatedly lying in this manner is totally and unquestionably unworthy of being allowed to speak to the American people.

Sadly, all too sadly, I fear NBC Nightly News will fail miserably in acting responsibly.  NBC News in general has displayed dishonesty and irresponsibility for some time, so while I will be sorely disappointed, it will not be surprising when NBC News does nothing.

We, the American public, however can do something.  We can and should boycott the NBC Nightly News until Brian Williams is publicly fired.   

Just a little guilty

Yesterday, as the east coast prepared for another winter onslaught, I took to the SoCal roads in 79 degree sunshine.

Predictably, there were lots of other riders enjoying the uncharacteristic warmth.  As we passed one another, small hand signals of recognition and (when helmets visors made possible) smiles were exchanged.  After an hour or so in the backcountry, I swung over to the local Harley dealer to just hang out for a while.

Testament to the great weather was the small number of bikes parked out front.  On the showroom floor, there were more employees than customers, indicating that most folks were doing as I had done: riding.  Nonetheless, it was enjoyable shooting the bull with those employees and rider who were there.

I checked out the 2015 Roadglide and was impressed.  Quite a bagger!  Maybe, if financial good fortune smiles on us, one of the bikes can be mine in the future.  For now, I am thoroughly enjoying the Heritage.

After departing the dealership, the relatively short ride home enabled me to capture longing looks from fellow citizens.  The allure of the solo motorcyclist is strong and evident in the appreciative stares at the occasional stop light.

Pulling into the garage, a nice outing concluded, I reminded myself that only living in the greatest country on earth made this small adventure possible.

Knowing folks and fellow riders on the east coast are bracing for another storm, I felt a little guilty.  But only a little.

Riding time

While the eastern United States braces for another winter storm, it's forecast to be 79 and sunny here.

It will definitely be a day to be out on a Harley.  

Taking advantage of this type of weather is a major reason for living in southern California.

Another reason to reinstate the military draft

As the movie "American Sniper" sets attendance records this weekend, the all-too-predictable liberal condemnation of the story of an American serviceman is spewing forth.  Whether it be Hollywood "elites" or the liberal member of the media who admitted not having viewed the film, there is a rush to criticize those who serve in the Armed Forces.  This is another reason to reinstate the draft.

There is a wide gulf between those who serve in the Armed Forces and those who don't, created in large part by the so-called all volunteer force.  Those who haven't served likely make up the vast and overwhelming majority of those who populate the Hollywood "elite" and mainstream media.  

I argue that were some of them veterans, based on a fair and above board draft process (not the manipulated draft of the Vietnam era), the shared experience earned by being a veteran might, just might, stem the flow of uninformed criticism.  Or, perhaps hopefully, would lead to the vets offering their counterpoints to the uninformed commentary.

This is another reason to reinstate the military draft, adding to other valuable reasons, such as:

• Spreading military service responsibility and experience across a broader spectrum of the American citizenship.
• Making lawmakers and elected officials think twice or thrice about sending their own sons and daughters into harm's way.
• Connecting the average family to the responsibility inherent to being a citizen, by requiring service to the nation.

Let's join together to reinstate the draft, for the above and many, many other reasons.

Neo-appeasement - a new national pastime

Over the first cup of coffee, while reading a variety of news sources and opinion pieces, I was struck by what appears to be the developing theme across the country - neo-appeasement.

Simply put, this developing theme of neo-appeasement occurs when someone complains about something they don't like and someone else subsequently changes their behavior, belief, action, stance, vote, or whatever.

In this great country of ours, one generous view of the phenomena is that it embodies the essence of free speech.  Another, less generous view is that the phenomena illustrates an unreasonable, oft times unwarranted impact on the rights of others, aided by the relatively new explosion of social media.

I'm left wondering.

Now on the second cup of coffee, I accept wholeheartedly the essence and imperative of free speech.  But I also wholeheartedly accept the essence and imperative of the rights of the individual.  Combining these two rights, I am free to think and believe as I may and express those thoughts and beliefs.  I am equally free to hold my thoughts and beliefs to myself, by not expressing them.  Just as I am equally free to disagree with the thoughts and beliefs of others.  I am also free from being required to accept, embrace, and live by the thoughts and beliefs of others.

Continuing, I am free in our great nation, unlike in many other countries, to publicly protest, based on my thoughts and beliefs.  My protests may upset or anger others, just as theirs may upset or anger me.   Such is a cost for maintaining these rights.

In the face of protests or expressed opposition, I am free to maintain my thoughts and beliefs, or change them.  But I am not mandated to change.  I can not be compelled to either change my thoughts and beliefs, or to accept those of others.  And that is where I am seeing this new phenomena.

In times before social media, expressing one's thoughts and beliefs was limited by the audience one could reach.  Perhaps the news media would engage, supposedly as a disinterested third party and publicize or broadcast the thoughts or beliefs.  Implicitly, then, some fact checking or the like would occur.  Not always, not uniformly, but sometimes, in some small way adhering to the responsibility for accuracy.  Further, the media sources were somewhat limited in their reach, by both mechanical and financial means.  Today, however, social media is hampered by neither a responsibility for accuracy nor limited reach.

Consequently, complaints launched into the social media swirl are passed along to a potentially limitless audience.  And at a speed previously unseen.

In days past, the individual or small group complaining about something probably didn't have much of an influence.  And in a nation of our size, it is reasonable to accept that differing views abound, meaning equally limitless complainers.  We saw that only the compelling complaints and matters gained traction and thus broader distribution.

Thus, we find ourselves today with the unique ability of complainers to launch their complaints to countless individuals at virtually the speed of light.  With a broad, unlimited audience, it is possible to build a message unfettered by fact in very short order.  Those against whom the message is targeted can be inundated across the electronic spectrum, as this form of free speech grows exponentially.

Up to this point, I see absolutely no problem.  If ignorance is launched into the social media swirl and people accept it, so be it.  If misinformation is shared time and time again, that is one of the costs of free speech.

But when individuals, companies, or institutions yield to social media driven ignorance, misinformation, or merely opposing views, simply because there is an opposing view, this neo-appeasement is disturbing.  When free speech convinces someone to change their position, based on reasoned debate, we all win.  But when simply a firestorm social media, measured by numeric posts, tweets, or the like, rather than fact causes change, we all lose.

Individuals, companies, and institutions yielding in a manner of neo-appeasement only serve to embolden unreasonable complaints.  Yet, I do not criticize the unreasonable complaints, because it is, again, a cost of free speech.

I criticize those who so timidly hold their thoughts and beliefs, that they can be swayed and changed so easily.  Ironically, when those with stiffer backbones stand by their positions and beliefs, we also see litigation ensue

Neo-appeasement is then bad for the nation.

How not to be taken seriously

It is rather amazing to some that our foreign policy, national security policy, and diplomats aren't taken seriously around the globe.  Need we really wonder why?

A juvenile and cutesy prop by Secretary of State Clinton (the now infamous"Russian reset" button):

An equally juvenile and unfathomable display by Secretary of State Kerry (bringing an entertainer to sing "You've Got a Friend" and the undiplomatic, uncomfortable hug):

Neither symbolic nor appropriate, both displays embarrass the nation and convey clearly that this administration is clueless when it comes to foreign policy.  When the nation's top diplomat is the perpetrator of the displays, it does not bode well for the serious work all of our diplomats must undertake on a daily basis.

I, for one, am significantly concerned that our foreign policy is being managed by those not equipped to do so.  

I remain equally concerned the world no longer takes our foreign policy, national security policy, or diplomats seriously.

Setting the bar too low

Setting aside for the moment the impractical and uninformed aspects of Obama's proposal for "free" community college for all, take a moment to look beyond the obvious.

If Obama were serious, he'd advocate and encourage an undergraduate education as the nation's primary educational policy objective.  Though it may not be every student's objective or within every student's capabilities, setting this objective will help provide for better K-12 education.  Students completing K-12 education prepared for undergraduate studies will be best prepared for whatever avenue they pursue.  (Sadly, there is far too much evidence that far too many high school graduates are not prepared for undergraduate university/college education, with large numbers requiring remedial courses immediately upon starting classes.)

Thus, the President is wrong in his stated objective, because it does not encourage preparing our K-12 students for traditional undergraduate studies.

Setting only a community college education as the nation's educational policy objective is selling the youth of our country short, particularly the minority and low income populations.

Back to the drawing board, Mr. Obama.  You, a law school graduate, should know better, much, much better.

A SoCal motorcycle rider's lament

Sadly, the sun and warmth (70s and 80s) of a few days ago have disappeared under clouds bringing light, but consistent rain and cool temperatures.  So the Harley remains in the garage.

OK, I know a large swath of the country is suffering frigid cold, snow, and other wintery weather.  Therefore, I shouldn't complain about this occasional lack of conditions suitable for riding.  But, in balance, we pay a sunshine tax here in California, expecting good riding weather all year long.

With the highest gasoline taxes in the nation, estimated at near 75 cents per gallon, it costs more to fuel up here than those states suffering the winter blues.  Additionally, we have some of the highest personal income, sales, and property taxes, if not the highest.  Gripe though we may about these and other taxes, being able to ride almost every day of the year compensates.

I don't know the actual numbers, but I'd guess there are logically more motorcycles per capita in California, particularly southern California, than any other place in the country.  Again, it wouldn't be surprising, given the great weather.  And with more bikes on the road, I'm guessing our insurance fees are also higher than the rest of the country.  (And likely to be even higher after the state issued more than 42,000 driver licenses to illegal immigrants.)

Better weather means more riding opportunities, equaling more bikes.

So why shouldn't we complain when the rare weekend rain prevent us from hitting the roads?

I pay a hell of a lot of money in order to live where it's sunny, so I can get the Harley out of the garage and on to the road.

Not the type

With 2015 beginning, my beautiful wife attended a local art gallery's monthly opening.  (She's an artist and volunteer at the gallery.)  Artists and lovers of art convened, with folks bringing finger foods and drinks, as it the custom.  Definitely the cheese and wine crowd.

Listening to her description of the evening, I was thinking, "Bikers are definitely NOT the wine and cheese type of folks."

Nope, we are more the beer and brat crowd.

Ride safe this year.

Last ride of 2014

Waking up to the weather forecast predicting rain stating by mid-day and continuing through all of tomorrow (New Year's Eve), I jumped on the Harley to put in some final miles for 2014.  Chilly and windy conditions, as the weather front approached, I first stopped by the local Harley Davidson dealership to wish the crew a Happy New Year, then hit one of my favorite loops.

Devoid of most traffic during this second week of the Christmas - New Year holiday season, while riding along I recalled the year in the saddle.  Many, many great memories created during the thousands of miles ridden in this great country of ours.  Riding with my oldest buddy, plus recent and new acquaintances added tremendously to life on two wheels.

From routine rides during an average week, to the road trip to Oregon this fall, to Patriot Guard Rider missions, to relatively short day rides, being in the saddle provided the embodiment of independence uniquely enjoyed by we motorcycle riders.  Whenever possible, linking up with fellow Marines who ride simply added to the enjoyment.

As the new year dawns, sadly it will be too wet to hit the road in celebration.  That's why today's last ride of 2014 was important.  Can't allow the year to end without a celebration of the freedoms we Americans live with, day-by-day.  Freedoms that my fellow Marines (and soldiers, sailors, and airmen) ensured we can realize.  Of course, as the year ends I also think of the men and women in uniform who are deployed away from their families.  With many still going in harm's way, this old, gray beard Devil Dog recognizes and is thankful for their sacrifices.

In 2015, may all your miles in the saddle produce countless smiles.

Charity

As 2014 ends, if you are able, now is the time to make a donation to your favorite charity if you want to receive tax credit for this year.

Americans are known for our charity.  Motorcyclists are especially generous.

Let's all give so that others can have a better 2015.

Inaccurate declarations

Our President has declared that combat operations are over in Afghanistan.  Unfortunately, as General Jim Mattis observed, the enemy has a vote and violence continues.

Our President has declared the world is a "better" and "safer" place.  Unfortunately, no one advised the families of those killed in Syria, the families of those killed by ISIS, those living in Ukraine, those who family members have been killed in Iraq and Afghanistan, those who daughters have been kidnapped by Boko Harim, those whose children were killed in Mexico, the families of our fallen military, or the citizens of North Korea and Iran.

Our President has declared that America is "less racially divided."  Unfortunately, no one informed the people of Ferguson, the people of New York City, Attorney General Holder, Al Sharpton, or the rest of the nation.

Declarations from our President are unfortunately all too often inaccurate, such as "if you like your health care plan, you can keep it, period" and "I'm not a king.  My job as the head of the executive branch ultimately is to carry out the law."

Five days until Christmas

With five days until Christmas, be on the lookout for the motorcycle Santa.

Motorcycles and country music - a natural combination

Motorcycles and country music are a natural combination, as motorcycles equal freedom and country music embodies American values, of which independence tops the list.

2015 will soon be on us, meaning more miles in the saddle and more time listening to country music.

This natural combination is critical today, as our great country faces threats, external and internal, to our values.  Think, for a moment, about the internal threats and put your thoughts in the context of popular music.

Does rap music extol and celebrate patriotism?  No.

Do hip-hop performances include displays of the American flag?  No.

Does electronic music stir pride in our nation?  No.

Does entertainer Chris Brown embody and demonstrate respect for women?  No.

Does Toby Keith travel to war zones to entertain the troops?  Yes.

Contemporary music, other than country, falls well short of praising and advocating American values.  Rather, contemporary lyrics are full of misogyny, violence, hatred, glorification of illegal drug use, racism, and disrespect for fellow citizens.

So, as I take to the roads in 2015, country music will be my companion.  Freedom, family, friends, and American values will fill my days.