2008 March TAA Ride Updates

Hi Everyone,

First I would like to tell you that Rick Parson, Torches Across America New Mexico State Coordinator was taken to the Presbyterian Hospital by ambulance on February 7th this year. Rick had pulmonary embolism with massive blood clots in both lungs two years ago and now it has happened all over again. He is home now and just starting to get around again.

I have talked to him about helping with TAA again this year and he has already started on it. Rick’s a great person so maybe you can sent him a get well e-mail. His e-mail address is; rgp7255@yahoo.com .

Roger Alons, TAA Illinois State Coordinator was in the hospital in the past couple of months having a colon operation. So far no cancer. Roger is a great person so maybe you can send him a get well e-mail also. His e-mail address is; rotorhd669@msn.com .

I talked to Les Knauer after he came out off the hospital from his stroke. Nancy gave him the phone and said Gary wants to talk to you. Les did not say anything so I said to him, I here you went to the hospital just to see all the pretty nurses. Les did not say anything still so I said it again, still he did not say anything. Then about a minute or two later he says to me, you know Nancy and I have been married for thirty one years this year, pause, I was in the hospital for 31 days, pause, I had my pants pulled down more times in those thirty one days by a woman, then I have during the 31 years of our marriage.

So all I can say about that is, your get well e-mails sure helped him get better. He still has a long way to go but if I know Les, he will make it with Nancy’s help.

I just want everyone to know, all I am doing this year is helping the hosts put the 2008 Torches Across America ride together. I am not, putting it together.
When Roger and TAA Troy, IL said the ride would at least continue from Troy, IL in 2008, I told them I would get in touch with the other hosts and see if they would like to help also. I am very glad to say they are all on board again this year.

So here how it looks so far;

Oceanside, CA

Bill Kennedy is working on a starting place in San Diego for the start of the 2008 ride. It sounds great and I hope it all works out.

Laughlin, NV

Instead of the ride spending the first night out in Kingman, AZ, the ride will spend the night in Laughlin, NV.

Last year Jennifer Wilson, Special Veteran Program Manager with the AVI Resort and Casino and Heather Ching Co-Founder Bullhead Patriots, member of the Patriot Guard Riders and Associates of Vietnam Veterans of America wanted to be a part of the ride and help the riders. They did a super job of it to. This year they would like to be a part of TAA and have the riders come to Laughlin.

New Mexico

When I talked to Rick to see how he was doing the other day I asked what he thought about helping again this years and he said I will help as long as I am able. So the second day of the ride will go from Laughlin to Albuquerque, NM.

Victor Lioce is also a New Mexico TAA State Coordinator and he is setting up a scenic route again for this years ride as it leaves Albuquerque.

I also talked to Rosanne Bianco who is with the Blue Star Mothers in Albuquerque. Rosanne has helped TAA for three years and she said she has on her 2008 calender a note that says to get a hold of New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson for the 2008 Proclamation making 9/11 a Recognition Day for all New Mexico’’s First Call Responders on 9/11/ 2008.

Tulsa, OK

Last year Joe Sewell talked to Barbara Porter, Treasure/Public Relations, Oklahoma Chapter 1, Blue Mothers of America and she contacted me and said they would like to help the riders. They did a super job of it to. This year they would like to be a part of TAA again.

Illinois

The Torches America Troy, IL members, Roger Alons, Fat Fred Dahlgren, Butch Clemings,
Mike Raymond, David Bloom, A.J. Kaufman, Giles Culver, Pappy Hessenauer, Cynthia Dashen,Gertia Kaufman, Linda Culver, Milt Edrington and Rodney Dunaway are all going to be working hard this year to make this ride possible.

As far as I am concerned all of TAA’s state coordinators, hosts and riders are super great people and I am very proud that you would like to see the ride continue.

The TAA ride will not have a main speaker this year because each and everyone of these hosts share the same kinds of feelings I do for the reason of this ride.

I have asked all of you to help in getting all last years shirts, pins and patches sold. It is a big expense to do these and when you do not sell them it works against the money you made from them. So instead of the money from the sales of these items going towards the new 9/11 memorial being built in Troy, IL it just goes to paying off what it cost to buy the shirts, pins and patches.

What I have been doing lately is asking people to buy a shirt and maybe a pin and patch a long with it and have TAA Troy, IL sent them to Barbara Porter. She and the other members of Oklahoma Chapter 1 Blue Star Mothers will sent them to our Armed Forces members over seas in their care packages.

Torches Across America Troy, Illions is a none profit organization so your orders are tax deductible. The address to send your orders to is:

Torches Across America
Milt Edrington
2509 Reveres Rt.
Granite City, IL 62040

Milt Edrington’’s e-mail address is; dingerdq@gmail.com and his phone number is; 618-540-0033.

The shirts are $15.00 and the pins and patches are $5.00 ea. There is no cost for shipping to Barbara or to you if you want them shipped to you inside the United States.

Remember one of the reasons we ride is to show support for these men and women in our Armed Forces. They are willing to give us the ultimate sacrifice any human can give to another human and that is their, life, if need be for our freedom.

Know matter what your thoughts are about the war, it should not keep you from saying thank you to all these supper men and woman and their families, who worry about them constantly while they are gone.

I have asked some of the TAA riders that belong to a nation wide organization to contact their national reps and ask if their organization would escort the TAA memorial walls this year because I will not be able to do it. I have offered to pay for the shipping of the memorial walls to California if they will do it.

Here is something that is funny in a way to me. Every year when I hear that the Vietnam Memorial Wall is coming by my area, motorcycle riders for miles around are asked if they would help escort it.

Well on the TAA ride we travel with two memorial walls. One has all the names of the victims of 9/11 on it. The second one has all the names of our, " Fallen Warriors Lost But Not Forgotten", on it that have died in the war with Afghanistan and Iraq. Both the war in Afghanistan and Iraq as you all know are the result of the 9/11 attach on America. And we also know they are still on going.

More riders will escort the Vietnam Memorial Wall than a memorial wall of a war that is being fought right now. I have heard two different reasons for this. The first one is, this war has lasted to long and we just want to stop hearing about it. The second reason is, 9/11 is over with so get on with your life.

So hears the funny part to me, if 9/11 is old news and they say we should get over it and get on with our lives, how old does that make the Vietnam War.

I ride for the Vietnam Memorial Wall because of respect. I also ride for the memorial walls of the victims of 9/11 and our "Fallen Warriors Lost But Not Forgotten" because of respect. Thank you Fat Fred for teaching me about the word respect.

Yes riding for these men women and children on all these memorial walls are about respect. I hate to say it but most Americans do not have that in them anymore it is mostly about ones self now.

The TAA ride is not about the destruction that happened on 9/11, it is about remembering the victims that died on 9/11, saying thank you to all of America’s First Call Responders for showing us how dedicated they are to protecting us, and showing support to all our Armed Forces members who willing to give us the ultimate sacrifice any human can give to another human and that is their, life, if need be for our freedom.

When we do this for them we are also letting their families know we care about them also. Here are some e-mails I have received in the past from family members of 9/11 victims;

Angie Rapoport; I think it is wonderful what you all do every year. I lost my father, Gerard Coppola, on 9/11. And, although, I don't have a bike, I do GREATLY appreciate your efforts. I remember driving into the city last year and seeing you coming in. It was amazing. I can't quite describe the feeling. But, I can say it did make me cry. And, I mean that in the best of ways. It was almost as if all of you were a part of my family and were grieving along with me. Thank you. Thank you all so much.
Angie was talking about the 2006 ride.

George A. Hentrique; To ride with and for my daughter Michelle who was killed in the South Tower. Could you please advise me where I could hook up with the ride on 9/10 going to ground zero.
George met us all at the Hoboken M/C Club House on the 2007 ride.

Judith A Kapp; Remembrance for my brother in law lost in Tower II, and show respect for all those in service and veterans.

We have also have had some military family members present at our hosts sites that have lost their son or daughter in the war in Afghanistan or Iraq. They are very sad but super happy knowing people are taking the time to remember their son or daughter and by name even.

We also have TAA riders whos sons our daughters have been or are stationed at this time in Afghanistan and Iraq. I thank all of you for being apart of TAA and may your sons and daughters return home safely.

Peter Frauenkron sent me this e-mail so maybe you might want to think about doing this. Thank you Peter.

'In Case of Emergency'
We all carry our mobile phones with names & numbers stored in its memory but nobody, other than ourselves, knows which of these numbers belong to our closest family or friends.

If we were to be involved in an accident or were taken ill, the people attending us would have our mobile phone but wouldn't know who to call. Yes, there are hundreds of numbers stored but which one is the contact person in case of an emergency?
Hence this 'ICE' (In Case of Emergency) Campaign

The concept of 'ICE' is catching on quickly. It is a method of contact during emergency situations. As cell phones are carried by the majority of the population, all you need to do is store the number of a contact person or persons who should be contacted during emergency under the name 'ICE' ( In Case Of Emergency).

The idea was thought up by a paramedic who found that when he went to the scenes of accidents, there were always mobile phones with patients, but they didn't know which number to call.He therefore thought that it would be a good idea if there was a nationally recognized name for this purpose. In an emergency situation, Emergency Service personnel and hospital Staff would be able to quickly contact the right person by simply dialing the number you have stored as 'ICE.'

For more than one contact name simply enter ICE1, ICE2 and ICE3 etc. A great idea that will make a difference!

Let's spread the concept of ICE by storing an ICE number in our Mobile phones today!

Have a great day
Gary Covert

"9/11, it's over with, get on with your life"

Wrong thing to say to our Armed Forces families and to all the VFW and American Legion members.

For those of you that feel this way, the earth is going to stop at 12:30pm September 11, 2007 and you can all get off.

Are people in this country so self me that they can not see or understand that our Armed Forces are still in Afghanistan and Iraq because of 9/11.

My wife and I were at Walter Reed Army Medical Center yesterday evening and met with our countries finest and I tell you what, they are super.

Now these men and women have been injured in some way or another but they are very proud to have fought for their country. Not one of them complained about their injuries.

I talked to a few of them and the main comment from them was, we need to be fighting them over there because if we do not they will be attacking us over here.

They were not very happy about the fact anti war protesters were going to be rallying in Washington DC on September 15, 2007.

Milton Edrington, member of Troy, IL VFW Post 976 gave me one hundred Torches Across America Ride pens to give to our Armed Forces members while we were at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. The mission was completed and I thank Milton very much for wanting them to have a ride pin.

I also want to thank Colonel Peter M. Garibaldi, Garrison Commander of the Walter Reed Army Medical Center for making it possible for us to be with our Armed Forces members yesterday. They are our finest and we are very proud of them.

Remember everyone they are willing to give the ultimate sacrifice one human can give to another human and that is their life for you and me. It takes a mighty brave person to do this especially for someone they do not even know.

The scouts of Troy, IL and Roger Alons daughter designed the 2007 Torches Across America 9/11 Memorial Motorcycle Ride logo

The scouts of Troy, IL and Roger Alons daughter designed the 2007 Torches Across America logo and they did a great job.

I am very proud to say, this is what the scouts in Troy, IL and Roger Alons daughter want to be on our shirts, pins and patches this year for the 2007 TAA ride. I am going to wear mine proudly as we ride into Troy this year for all the scouts and Roger Alons daughter know how much I appreciate them for wanting to help Torches Across America 9/11 Memorial Motorcycle Ride.

As you can see they are made up of the same true grit as their parents have in them. They are the heartland of America.

The price for the shirts will be $15.00, patches and pins $5.00 each. Now do not forget the money made from the sale of these items will go towards the 9/11 Memorial to be build in Troy, IL.

The 9/11 Memorial is not only in remembrance of the victims of 9/11 but it also pays tribute to all our Armed Forces members that have died in Afghanistan and Iraq. They are also 9/11 victims.

I will not be bring any shirts, pins or patches on the ride with me this year so you need to order them from Torches Across America, Troy. The address is;

Torches Across America
C/O Roger Alons
956 Weathervane
Troy, IL 62294

The City of Troy, Illinois has dedicated a piece of land in their city for the building of a 9/11 Memorial

I am very proud to say that the Troy, Il City Council has set aside a piece of land in their city for a 9/11 Memorial to be built.

Troy, Il is not only the heartland of America but it is also the cross roads of America.

When the 9/11 Memorial is finished people traveling through America north or south east or west can stop and see this beautiful tribute to all of those that have lost their lives because of that very tragic day in our countries history.

Roger Altons, past President of the Troy, IL VFW Post 976 and VFW Post 976 member Butch Clemings, were very instrnmental in getting the City of Troy, IL involved in the 9/11 Memorial. They are super and I thank them very much.

The organization behind building the 9/11 Memorial in Troy, IL is called TAAT (Torches Across America Troy). If you would like to make a donation to help build the 9/11 Memorial please contact Roger Alons at; (618)667-3981, rotorhd669@msn.com. All donations are tax deductible.

I also thank Troy, Il Mayor Tom Caraker, Troy, Il City Council, residents of Troy, IL and the businesses of Troy, Il for wanting this 9/11 memorial in their city.

The design for the 9/11 Memorial comes from a 9/11 Memorial drawing by Paul Elam. As some of you have known him, he was Sergeant Paul Elam of the Moriarty, New Mexico Police Department. Last year Paul moved back to his home town of Tucumcari, NM and is no longer working for the Moriarty, NM Police Department.

I thank Paul’s 9/11 Memorial is very beautiful. Paul is a very gifted person and I think it was meant for his drawing to become a reality. I have one of his sketches that I am going to post but you really have to see it in person to see its beauty and feel the warmth from it.

I hope we can get a school in Tucumcari, New Mexico that has a class for making bronze statues, make two bronze statues needed for the 9/11 Memorial.

The two bronze statues are of a female and male solider passing a folded American Flag to each other and they would be placed just before the 9/11 Memorial. They are not in this sketch.

Here is one of Paul Elam’s sketches that he sent me;













This group of very special people put everything together for Torches Across America when the ride comes to Troy and Collinsville, Illinois. Also some of them belong to the TAAT (Torches Across America Troy) Organization in Troy, IL. They are truly super people and I thank them very much.

Top row from left to right; Fat Fred Dahlgren, Roger Alons, Butch Clemings, Mike Raymond, David Bloom, A.J. Kaufman, Giles Culver.

Bottom row from left to right; Pappy Hessenauer, Cynthia Dashen, Gertia Kaufman, Linda Culver, Milt Eddington and Rodney Dunaway.













Here is Fat Fred Dahlgren's pickup truck. As you can see Fat Fred is a member of the Patriot Guards. Fat Fred said the Patriot Guards in that area are very interested in the Torches Across America Ride. Fat Fred also said he will have 200 American Flags lined up when we arrive in Troy,IL

September 12, 2007 "Emergency Responder Day" in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

Hi Everyone,

As you all know I am very proud of each and every rider that rides with us on the Torches Across America Ride.

We all have a reason for being apart of the ride. And in this e-mail I am sending you today is something super special that Frank Kiehner has been able to do for all First Call Responders in the State of Pennsylvania .

I know Frank worked very hard to make this happen and as all of you can tell, Pennsylvania is very proud of their First Call Responders.

The wording in this resolution is excellent. Please read it slowly so every word can get your full attention.

Thank you ever so much Frank for what you have accomplished. I am looking forward to riding across America with you and you wife Lil this year.

Frank and his wife are doing some long rides Saturdays to condition their butts to handle the distance.

I give special thanks to Pennsylvania Representative, Stan Saylor. He was the main driving force in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives to make this come about.

I also want to give special to all the other Pennsylvania Representatives for passing this resolution unanimously.

Have a great day.
Gary Covert

Here is Frank's e-mail to all of us. I will put this on Gary 's Blog also.
http://www.torchesacrossamerica.blogspot.com/

Hi Group (especially Gary ),

In todays mail I received a Pa House resolution making Sept 12, 2007 "Emergency Responder Day" in the Commonwealth.

Had to pick the 12th as the 11th is already "Patriot's Day" in Pa.

The resolution goes as follows:

"In the House, June 5, 2007

Whereas, On September 11, 2001 Al Queda terrorists hijacked and
intentionally flew two planes into the twin towers of the World TradeCenter in Manhattan and hijacked and crashed a third aircraft into theUnited States Department of Defense headquarters at the Pentagon in Arlington County , Virginia ; and

Whereas, the first battle of the global war on terrorism took place in the skies over Somerset County , Pennsylvania , and was ultimately won by the heroism of the passengers aboard United Airlines Flight 93 who courageously fought to regain control of the plane and prevented further death and destruction; and

Whereas, These attacks clained nearly 3,000 innocent lives, including many emergency responders who unselfishly answered the call to duty; and

Whereas, On September 12, 2001, the emergency responder community of our great nation took pause to reflect upon the heroic efforts of their fellow emergency responders who were killed in the line of duty during the attacks of 9/11; and

Whereas, Their acts of courage and sacrifice for our country are worthy of acknowledgment and commendation, and they shall remain in our hearts and minds forever, their remembrance continuing to be passed on to future generations; therefore be it

Resolved, That the House of Representatives designate September 12, 2007, as "Emergency Responder Day" in Pennsylvania , setting aside this day as a day of gratitude and profound respect for all past and present firefighters, public safety providers, ambulance drivers, emergency medical technicians, emergency dispatchers, first responseteams, police officers and all emergencyand disaster responders in this Commonwealth and affirming that these heroes help our citizens every day in extraordinary ways.

"I received this card with the resolution,

"Dear Mr Kiehner, Thank you for contacting my office requesting the resolution declaring September 12, 2007, as Emergency Responder Day in Pennsylvania .

Enclosed is a certified copy of the resolution, House Resolution 215, which passed the House unanimously on June 5, 2007. Rep Stan Saylor

"I was not expecting to see this but was VERY surprised and proud to get it in the mail. I read it at my Fire Companies meeting this evening and they were impressed that the Commonwealth would do this for us.

See you in a little over 2 months.
Frank Kiehner

Nixa, Missouri 9/11 Resolution for all First Call Responders

Hi Everyone,

I am very proud to say that the Nixa, Missouri Mayor, Doug Marrs and Nixa Board of Aldermen passed Resolution 2007-44 on April 9,2007 making 9/11 a Recondition Day for all First Call Responders.

All of us with Torches Across America thank all of you very much for doing this very specail deed.

I also want to give a special thank you to Coralee Patrick. She is the Nixa, Missouri City Clerk and a super person as well. She went the extra mile on this and it is appreciated by all of us.

Here is the Resolution;

RESOLUTION 2007 –44

A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN
OF THE CITY OF NIXA, MISSOURI
ESTABLISHING SEPTEMBER 11 OF EVERY YEAR
AS “RECOGNITION DAY” FOR
ALL FIRST CALL RESPONDERS


WHEREAS, the terrorist attack on the United States on September 11, 2001 claimed the lives of hundreds of fire fighters, law enforcement officers and EMS personnel; and

WHEREAS, First Call Responders – including Law Enforcement, Fire Fighters and Emergency Medical Services personnel – have continued to provide a high level of public service to communities across the nation; and

WHEREAS, these unsung heroes are deserving of recognition for their commitment and personal sacrifice; and for preserving the peace and well being of all humanity.

NOW THEREFORE. BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN OF THE CITY OF NIXA, MISSOURI, that beginning in 2007, September 11th will be known as “Recognition Day” to honor all of the brave men and women who daily put their lives on the line as First Call Responders.


Passed and approved this 9th day of April, 2007.


DOUG MARRS
____________________________________
Mayor

ATTEST:


CORALEE PATRICK
________________________________
City Clerk

E-mail from Kevin Sweet who has just got out of the military and would like to be a part of TAA. We do not have officers we do have state coordinators

Hi,
Does this organizations have officers?
Do you have National officers - I just got out of the military and very
interested in becoming part of the team.
thanks
Kevin

My reply to Kevin;

Hi Kevin Sweet,

Thank you very much for your e-mail.

I know everyone that is involved with Torches Across America would be proud to read your e-mail also. So I am going to share it with them.

So where are you living now that you are out of the USMC?

Torches Across America 9/11 Memorial Motorcycle Ride is just riders that ride the whole ride across America or just a few miles with us as we go through their area.

Torches Across America is not a ride for any charity. Money that is made by selling shirts, pins and patches go back into the cost of these items and if there is money left over it goes into other cost for the ride like the memorial walls we take with us and set up at every stop.

We have hosts that do something special for the riders in each of the cities we stop in.

We also have state coordinators in some states that help set things up with riders in their state and if there is a host in their state they also try and help them.

A state coordinators contacts as many motorcycle clubs and organization in their state as possible and lets them know about the ride. If any of them want to be a part of the ride the state coordinator makes sure we all meet up at the right time.

The state coordinator also helps a host if they are in his state by doing some of these things;

Contact any relatives of the 9/11 victims and see if they would like to be present so we can say something to them and they can speak to the riders.

Contact any active Armed Forces members in that area that would like to be present so we can say thank you to them.

Contact any family members of an Armed Forces member that was killed so they can be with us for we can tell them how much we appreciate them for their sacrifice.

Contact First Call Responders in the area and ask them to be present for we can say thank you to them.

We have other super people and riders that help in anyway they can. One person that comes to mind from the early days of the ride is Carol Lemons from Amarillo,TX. She offered to help any of the riders with information about the Amarillo area if they wanted it. I do not know much about Amarillo but with her help,riders could find out what they needed to know.

Carol has been very sick the past few year but she still offers to help TAA in anyway she can.

There are so many people like Carol that help TAA and I hope the ones I did not mention forgive me for not putting their names down at this time.

A goal we have set for the Torches Across America Ride is to get 9/11 to become a National Recognition Day for America's First Call Responders. Some of them thought it was going to happen after 9/11 but it did not.

Thanks to one of Kingman,AZ Mayors (Monica Gates), cities have followed her lead by passing a resolution making 9/11 a "Recognition Day" for their cities First Call Responders.

We have super state coordinators, host and riders. That is what makes being a part of TAA something special to me. It shows people can still come together for a great cause and money does not have to be in its center focus. The TAA ride is just from the heart.

A society in this world can not exist without a heart and people that help put TAA together and the riders on it have super big hearts.

The TAA ride does not have big name super stars on it and I do not know why. What I do know is that some rides do and the big stars expect them to pay for their expenses because of the use of their names to generate money for their cause.

So I guess you could say we are the ride from across the tracks or just a plain Jane ride that has a super big heart.

If you would like to be a part of TAA we would love to have you.

Have a great day.
Gary Covert

Dean Thompson, President of 911 Flight Crew Memorial Foundation

Hi Everyone,

Dean Thompson sent me an e-mail and gave me this web address to go to; www.911flightcrewmemorial.org . I went there and sent him this letter.

Hi Dean Thompson,

I was not aware of the 911 Flight Crew Memorial.

On 9/11 my wife was very worried because her son is a captain for AA. It took a couple of days to find out he was still at home when it happened and I think they told him to just stay home that day.

My wife and I will send in a donation for the 911 Flight Crew Memorial and I will put a post on Gary's Blog ( http://torchesacrossamerica.blogspot.com/ ) and http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Torchesacrossamerica/ about the 911 Flight Crew Memorial.

I would like all of the 911 Flight Crew Memorial Board members to help Torches Across America 9/11 Memorial Motorcycle Riders get a resolution passed by the cities of Dallas and Fort Worth Texas to make 9/11 a day of Recognition for their cities First Call Responders please.

Go to this Torches Across America web site page and you can see which cities have passed the resolution and how to go about asking the city to do it. My way of doing it is to go and ask at a city council meeting. Some just contact the city manager/administrator.

At this time I am working with some of the business in our home town area to invite America's First Call Responders to be here in Branson, Missouri on and around 9/11 so we can say thank you to them while were are saying thank you to our local First Call Responders.

See in my area of Missouri six cities have passed a resolution making 9/11 a Recognition Day for their cities First Call Responders.

The Torches Across America Ride remembers all the victims of 9/11all the way up to 2007 with our Fallen Warriors.

Ever since the the ride took place in 2002 we have always rode across America with a 9/11 Memorial Wall with the names of all the victims on it. Flight Crews and passengers are listed under each flight number that went down that day.

A couple of years ago we started bringing the Fallen Warriors Memorial Wall with us. A lot of people think because there is nothing blowing up or people being killed here in America that 9/11 is over and lets forget it and move on. 9/11 is not over, the war has just transferred to their part of the world. With this in mind all the members of our Armed Forces that have died in Afghanistan and Iraq should be included on the list of victims of 9/11.

If anyone from the 911 Flight Crew Memorial Board would like to speak to the TAA riders while we spend the night in Amarillo, TX this year, they would be more than welcome.

We will be staying at the Amarillo Holiday Inn on the evening of Monday, September 3, 2007.
At this time I have said we would have dinner at the Big Texan Steak Ranch Restaurant but I think I am going to change that to a casual dinner by the pool at the Holiday Inn. We do not get much support in Texas for the ride so this year we can stay with each other by the pool and know we care and remember.

Have a great day.
Gary Covert

DEAN THOMPSON wrote:
Gary;
I'm not sure you are aware of the memorial we are building in the Dallas Fort Worth area for the 33 Flight Crew Members who died on the 4 flights. If you go to our website www.911flightcrewmemorial.org you will find complete information. It is our hope to dedicate this memorial this upcoming year on 9/11/2007.Dean Thompson, President9/11 Flight Crew Memorialwww.911flightcrewmemorial.org

Banner showing the hosts for the 2006 Torches Across America in Cambridge, OH

I thank Dana Rush, Sales Director for the Cambridge, OH Holiday INN for making all this possible. I should of had this picture posted a long time ago.

Also are some of the Taa riders.

2007 Torches Across America 9/11 Memorial Motorcycle Ride schedule

Hi Everyone here is what I have of the 2007 ride schedule so far.

I have changed the motel we will be staying at before the ride starts in Oceanside, CA. Instead of staying at the Ramada Limited in Oceanside, CA we will be staying at the San Marcos, CA Ramada Limited, 517 San Marcos Blvd., San Marcos CA 92069. Their phone number is (760) 471-2800. I have not set anything up with them yet but I did make my reservations with Allstays.

I was able to get a room rate of $59.00 plus 10% tax from the Allstays web site. Allstays web site address is www.allstays.com. My wife and I will be staying there from 8/30 - 9/1.

I found out that the Ramada Limited in Oceanside was going to sock it to everyone on the price, me included. So I decided to just drop them.

Remember everyone this is Labor Day weekend so make your reservations now even if your just thinking about being on the ride. You can always cancel them later if you do not want to go on the ride.


September 1, 2007

Saturday, September 1st; which is (Labor Day weekend) leave from Kennedy’s Custom Cycle in Oceanside, CA and ride to Kingman, AZ. 379 miles

Please remember we lose one hour of travel time on this days ride because of time the change.

8:00am; the Memorial Service and blessing of the bikes will start at Kennedy’s Custom Cycles, 3028 San Louis Rey Rd, Oceanside, CA 92054, (760) 967-5883. Our host in Oceanside is Bill Kennedy and some CMA members working with Bill..

9:00am; we will leave from Kennedy’s Custom Cycles and ride to Victorville, CA.

11:30am; we will arrive at Victorville Harley-Davidson,14522 Valley Center Dr., Victorville, CA 92392, (760) 951-1119, for a Memorial Service and Lunch. Our host in Victorville is Cary & Marianne Fisher owners of Victorville Harley-Davidson. This ride means a lot to Cary because he is a retired firefighter from NYC.

1:00pm; we will leave from Victorville Harley-Davidson and ride to Kingman, AZ.

6:30pm; we will arrive at the Kingman, AZ VFW Post 10386. Located at 2985 E. John L. Ave, Kingman, AZ 86409, (928) 757 - 7192, for a Memorial Service and Dinner. We will pay for our own dinners. Our host in Kingnam is the Kingman VFW Post 10386. Great people, 2006 year was the first year they hosted us and they only had a couple of weeks to put it together.

The evening of September 1, 2006.
Kingman, AZ. The Travelodge, 3275 E Andy Devine Ave., Kingman, AZ 86401, is where my wife and I will be staying. Rooms 1 to 2 people $50.00 plus tax and rooms for 2 to 4 people $60.00 plus tax. Their phone number is (928) 757-1188 and tell them your with the Torches Across America 9/11 Memorial Motorcycle Ride. If you have any problems making your reservation ask for Carol, she is the manager. They fill up on Labor Day weekend so make your reservations early.


September 2, 2007

Sunday, September 2nd; we will leave from Kingman, AZ at 7:00am and ride to Albuquerque, NM. 466 miles

3:00pm; everyone needs to be at the TA Truck Stop (Travel Center of America Truck Stop) in Gallup, NM (505) 863-6801. You take Exit 16 off I- 40 east. Turn left when getting off of the exit ramp and as you go up the street the TA Truck Stop is on your right. Riders need to be fueled and ready to go by 3:30 pm.

3:30pm; we will leave from the TA Truck Stop and be escort by Cyber to the Rt. 66 Travel Center/ Casino Exit I- 40 off I - 40.

5:30pm; we will arrive at the Rt.66 Travel Center. Riders need to get fueled and be ready to go by 6:15pm. At this time the Albuquerque, NM Blue Knights VI and Albuquerque Fraternal Order of Police Lodge I, will be our host. They have arranged for the New Mexico State Police to escort us into Albuquerque.

6:15pm; the New Mexico State Police will escort us into Albuquerque. The last couple of year they have escorted us to the Albuquerque Fraternal Order of Police Lodge I. But this year the Lodge might be under new construction so I will let you know later where they are going to escort us two.

7:00pm Memorial Service and Dinner will start. Our host in Albuquerque are the Albuquerque Blue Knights VI, Albuquerque Fraternal Order of Police, Graham Central Station and the Dawn Patrol. All our host in Albuquerque are super and all the riders appreciate them.

Evening of September 2, 2007

We will be spending the night in Albuquerque, NM and I will tell you where later.


September 3, 2007

Monday, September 3rd; we will leave from Albuquerque, NM and ride to Amarillo TX. 289 miles

Please remember we lose one hour of travel time on this days ride because of time the change.

We will start our day as we did on the 2006 ride. So bring your cameras.

Craig Kennedy said the Dawn Patrol will start setting up their hot air balloons no later then 5:15am and will take to the air at 5:45am. So we will stage at the FOP at 4:30am. We will be escorted at 4:45am to Balloon Park for the "Pre-Dawn Patrol".
What they are doing on the morning of September 4, 2006 is of great significance:

1) They will be doing their version of a candle light visual for all the men, women and children that died on 9/11 and for the men and women in our Armed Forces that have died fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq. When the gas heats up the air inside the balloons the balloons will shine brightly in the skies above Albuquerque.

2) When the morning sun starts to shine it will represent the bright side that always follows a dark moment. Sometimes a dark moment in time can feel like a life time but inevitably the bright side emerges.
On 9/11 America was in the state of shock and despair but during the days after 9/11 that was slowly being uplifted because of the how proud we were of America’s First Call Responders. America became united more so then it ever had been before. That is the bright side of 9/11 and it is all because of America’s First Call Responders.

3) Their taking to the air will be the kick off for all the 9/11 events planned for the State of New Mexico. It will also let every First Call Responder in New Mexico know that Governor Bill Richardson has made 9/11 "First Call Responders Recognition Day" in New Mexico. We hope he will do it again in 2007.

A member of the Albuquerque Aerostat Ascension Association, Kevin Cloney, told me that every year since 9/11 the AAAA has given rides to First Call Responders on the Saturday before 9/11. That is really super of them.

6:30am we will leave Balloon Park and go on a escorted scenic ride to Amarillo TX.

Last year Victor Lioce wanted to take us to the Albuquerque Vietnam Memorial so I am hoping he will offer to do it again this year as part of our scenic route. Victor is a member of the Santa Fe, NM Blue Knights II.

While on the scenic route we will be going through Santa Fe, NM and it is a very beautiful city. Did you know they have an escalator in Santa Fe. Funny thing is, it only goes up. You have to take the stairs to come back down. They have a great Mexican restaurant on that upper floor maybe we can eat lunch there.

We have no set time to be in Amarillo, TX. We can all eat dinner at the famous “The Big Texan Steak Ranch Restaurant” in Amarillo, TX. The time will be decided on when we arrive in Amarillo.

Evening of September 3, 2007

We will be staying at the Amarillo Holiday Inn and I will tell you about it later.


September 4, 2007

Tuesday, September 4th; we will leave Amarillo, TX and ride to Tulsa, OK. 367 miles

I will get with Joe Sewell and see what were going to do on Tuesday.

We will be having a Memorial Service and Dinner at the Tulsa American Legion Post 308 at 7:00pm. Our host in Tulsa is the Tulsa American Legion post 308. Great people and they have been hosting us since the 2002 TAA ride.

Evening of September 4, 2007

We will be staying at the Tulsa Econo Lodge and I will tell you more about it later.


September 5, 2007

Wednesday September 5th; we will leave Tulsa, OK and ride to Branson, MO. 226 miles

We might be riding to Branson on a scenic route, will let you know later. I need to ride it to see how long it will take.

There are six cities in the Branson, MO area that have made 9/11 a Recognition Day for their cities First Call Responders and by us coming to the Branson area we will help get their communities ready for it.

We do need to be in Branson before 5:00pm. This way we can check into our motel before going to the Bart Rockett Theater for the Bart Rockett show at 5:00pm.

Bart Rockett is dedicating his show to the areas First call Responders and Armed Forces members. Not long after Branson passed the resolution making 9/11 a Recognition Day for their cities First Call Responders Bart Rockett dedicated a show for them and when I asked if he would do it again he said yes. He not only said he would do it but all the entertainers that put on shows at his theater said they would do a dedication show also.

The Branson Brother’s will dedicate their 8:00pm show and the Motown Experience is going to dedicate their morning show.

The cost for our admission is $10.00 per person per show and a canned food item would also be greatly appreciated. I thank it is great what they are doing for the areas First Call Responders and Armed Forces members. I will be at all three shows.

Evening of September 5, 2007

We will be spending the night in Branson, MO and I will tell you where later.


September 6, 2007

Thursday, September 6th; we will leave from Branson, MO and ride to Troy, IL. 276 miles

4:30 to 5:00pm we will meet at a prearranged location on the west side of St. Louis, MO for an escorted ride by the Missouri State Highway Patrol to the Illinois state line. We will then be escorted by the Illinois State Police to the first exit in Illinois so we can join up with other riders from the area before being escorted to Troy, Il Civic Park for a Memorial Service and Dinner hosted by the Troy, Il VFW Post 976.

7:00 the Memorial Service will start at Civic Park followed by a dinner and a band..

The City of Troy, Il and other area cities and organizations around Troy have join together in honoring their cities First Call Responders and Armed Forces members. (Go to the “Thank You” page on the www.torchesacrossamerica.com web site and you can see who helped with the Memorial Service and Dinner last year in Troy.

This is the biggest Memorial Service and Dinner put together by a city we stop at on our way to the east coast. When you experience this Memorial Service and Dinner you can see why they say mid America is the heart land of America.

They are real super people and were blessed to have them. Our host in Troy, Il is the Troy VFW Post 976 and many others. Roger Alons a member of the Troy VFW Post 976 works very hard to get all these people together to put this event on.

Please go to the “Photos” page on the www.torchesacrossamerica.com web site and see the pictures taken in Troy. It will give you a warm feeling inside.

Evening of September 6, 2007

We will be spending the night in Troy, IL and I will tell you where later.


September 7, 2007

Friday, September 7th; we will leave Troy, IL and ride to Cambridge, OH. 483 miles

Please remember we lose one hour of travel time on this days ride because of time the change.

6:00am to 7:00am breakfast at the Troy, IL VFW 976.

7:00am leave the VFW and ride to the Love’s Truck Stop on the east side of Zanesville, OH and be there by 6:30pm. It is on I - 70 East Exit 160.

7:00pm; we will have an escorted ride into Cambridge, OH and arrive at Wal-Mart in Cambridge, OH, 61216 Southgate Parkway, Cambridge, OH 43725. The phone number is (740)439-5743

7:30pm; Mayor/City Council's Fire/Police festivities start. There will be things to eat after the Festivities.

This is the second biggest Memorial Service put together by a city we stop at on our way to the east coast. You can tell were still in the heart land of America during this cities Memorial Service and Recognition to its areas First Call Responders and Armed Forces members.

Our hosts last year in Cambridge, OH was the Holiday Inn, Wal-Mart, Dunning Motor Sales, Free Mason's of OH, Speedy Print and Xango and it was organized by Dana Rush, Sales Director of the Cambridge Holiday Inn.

Evening of September 7, 2007

Cambridge, OH The Holiday Inn 2248 Southgate Parkway Cambridge, OH 43725 is where my wife and I will be staying. Room for 1 to 4 people $59.00 plus tax. It includes a hot breakfast and coffee. Their phone number is (740)432-7313 and tell them your with the Torches Across America 9/11 Memorial Motorcycle Ride.


September 8, 2007

Saturday,September 8th; we will leave Cambridge, OH and ride to Washington DC. 340 miles

As of now what my plans are, is that when we arrive in Washington DC we will go straight to Walter Reed Army Medical Center. I will tell you the time later.

Evening of September 8, 2007

We will be spending the night in the Washington DC area and I will tell you where later.


September 9, 2007

Sunday, September 9th; we will leave from Washington DC. and ride to New York City. 224 miles

On Sunday morning we will start off our day joining Rex Howke and the "9-11 Rattle the Runway Ride" and ride from the Dulles International Airport to the Pentagon for a Memorial Service. I will tell you the time later.

After the “9-11 Rattle the Runway Ride” we will go see the Pentagon then head for NYC.

This year we are going to ride into the city. When we did the TAA ride in 2002 we rode the ferry into NYC. At the last part of the 2006 TAA ride there was a riders meeting in Bedford, PA and the riders said they would like to ride the ferry into NYC on the 2007 TAA ride. At this time I am trying to set everything up.

Evening of September 9, 2007

Triple E is trying to set us up with accommodations in New Jersey that will be close to ferry and subway access form the motel. It will cost us more but once you park your bikes at the motel you will not have to ride anywhere to just catch the ferry or subway into NYC.


September 10, 2007

Monday, September 10th; we will leave from New Jersey and ride to Somerset, PA. 303 miles

Peter Torchia & Pam Waller were on the ride last year and Peter is helping us get a host in Somerset this year. Peter grew up in this part of Pennsylvania and knows a lot of people in the area. When Peter tells me the plans for Somerset I will let you know.

Evening of September 10, 2007

We will be Soending the night in Somerset, PA and I will tell you where later.


September 11, 2007

Tuesday, September 11th; we will start our morning at the Flight 93 Memorial Chapel then we will go to the crash site of Flight 93 in Shanksville.

I am leaving all the arrangements for this day up to the CMA members. They did a great job last year and I have asked them to help plan it this year. They know where were best needed and at what times.

After the Memorial Services are over on September 11th that will be the end of the ride. My wife and I will spend the night at the same motel we stayed in on the evening of September 10th in Somerset, PA. At this time I am still working on that motel.

Thank you Janice at Bikers USA (www.bikersmag.com) she just sent me this

First off, I thank Janice very much for doing this. It is a big complement for everyone that helps put the Torches Across America Ride together.

Motorcycle events companies do a great service for the Motorcycle Community and I can not thank Bikers USA enough for what they have done for Torches Across America.


Hi Gary,

I'm putting together a full page for you and will do some posts at some of the different states pages also. The full page will have maps of all the cities you're stopping at. I'm still working on it, but I think the url will be www.bikersmag.com/html/torches_across_america.html and it will be in the Bike Week section, because thats' where I list the major events.

I'm sure you, personally, are all set for maps, but for everyone else, would it be helpful if I put together one map which links to all the others, like I always do for Run for the Wall ? http://bikersusa.com/maps/rftw-southern.html
The maps themselves would probably be at the www.hotelmapsusa.com site, but I could probably put a primary map at either bikersusa.com or hotelmapsusa.com

Looks like everyone had a great ride in 2006 !


Janice

Bikers USA at www.bikersmag.com

Date change for the begining of the ride. It will start on September 1st not the 2nd.

Hi Everyone,

The starting of the 2007 ride is being changed to September 1, 2007 instead of September 2, 2007.

The reason for this is because I want to show off my hometown area which has at this time six cities that have passed resolutions making 9/11 a "Recognition Day" for their cities First Call Responders.

I have talked to Bart Rockett the owner of the Bart Rockett Theater and on September 5th and 6th when we are in Branson, MO the shows at his theater are going to dedicate their shows to the areas First Call Responders and Armed Forces members.

There are three shows we can attend and the cost per show would be $10.00 per person.

I am also working with others in the area in hopes more theaters in the area will do something for our countries First Call Responders and Armed Forces members.

Albuquerque the morning the Dawn Patrol gave their version of a candlelight visual honoring the victims of 9/11 and our Fallen Warriors part 1

Here are some of New Mexico's best that escorted us that morning.













When putting the hot are into the balloon you can just kick back and!!!













Looks more like a snake than a balloon in the next two pictures.

Albuquerque the morning the Dawn Patrol gave their version of a candlelight visual honoring the victims of 9/11 and our Fallen Warriors part 2

Something really super happend that morning that the riders did not expect and that was they were asked if they would like to help put some of the balloons together.

So in these pictures you will see balloonist and riders working together to create this wonderful hot air balloon style candlelight visual. It was a great site to see.

Article in the River Valley Times about TAA written by Suzanne Schneider

River Valley Times serving Rancho Murieta, Sloughhouse & Wilton California (Sunday’s Internet Edition, November 26, 2006).

Wilton residents ride motorcycles across country


Photo courtesy to River Valley Times
Steve and Jo Burcher of Wilton prepare to embark on their cross-country trip to New York City. The couple participated in the ride as part of Torches Across America, which honors the victims and first responders of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

By Suzanne Schneider
Special to River Valley Times

Wilton residents Jo and Steve Burcher participated in a cross-country motorcycle ride from September 2 through September 11, traveling from to New York City, NY as part of Torches Across America (TAA).

The event is to make sure people do not forget what happened on September 11, 2001. Motorcyclists participate in an annual cross-country ride to show their respect for everyone who lost their lives on 9-11. They ride to continue to support the families and to honor the nation’’s first responders.

This ride is unique in that there are no donations, there is no political message and there are no requests for donations.

A core group of approximately 25 motorcyclists, including the Burcher’s, rode from the west to New York City.
Motorcyclists from each city where the group stopped for the night would join the core group, swelling the numbers to more than 100 motorcyclists. With so many motorcyclists, it was important to have a law enforcement escort into each city.

In Albuquerque, New Mexico the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #1 provided an escort for 10 miles. Not only did they have lights and sirens, they actually shut down all traffic so that the TAA riders had the interstate to themselves.

From Albuquerque, the ride continued to Amarillo, Texas and Tulsa, Oklahoma. From Tulsa, the group headed to Troy, Illinois.

In Troy, the streets were lined with many citizens –– most of whom were waving American flags. The parade continued to the city park where both sides of the road were lined with Cub Scouts holding flags and saluting the motorcyclists.

From Troy, the ride continued to Cambridge, Ohio and on to Leighton, Pennsylvania. On September 9, the riders headed for New Hope, New Jersey and joined 1,000 motorcycles on their September 11 Memorial Ride to New York City.

Many law enforcement officers escorted the group across the bridges, through the tunnels to Manhattan, past Ground Zero, and on to Brooklyn, NY. At Brooklyn, the New Jersey group joined 3,000 other motorcyclists for the September 11 tribute.

The final day of the cross-country ride was in Somerset County, PA to attend the September 11 tribute to the passengers and crew of Flight 93. The weather was as somber as the event. After all the speeches by the dignitaries were complete, the name of each soul lost on Flight 93 was read aloud as a bell tolled.

The Flight 93 memorial is a National Park Service site. There are granite memorial plaques and 20 memorial wooden benches. Each bench faces the crash site and has the names of two crash victims engraved into it.

One of the California riders, who was unable to attend the final day, had known Flight 93 passenger Nicole Miller as she was growing up and requested a photo of the tribute bench with her name.

The Burchers, and the other cyclists, made this trip to convey the message to never forget September 11, to honor and support the first responders and remember military personnel and their families. The riders are hoping this will result in a National First Responders Recognition Day.

California Congressman Mike Thompson entered into the Congressional Record a request that this nation recognize the sacrifices of the First Call Responders.

For more information about Torches Across America go to: www.torchesacrossamerica.com.

Thank you Colonel Peter M. Garibaldi for inviting us back to Walter Reed Army Medical Center next year

This is a group shot of some of the riders patients and family members. Between the two wheel chairs in the second row is Colonel Peter M. Garibaldi and his wife Essie with my wife in between them.

Colonel Peter M. Garibaldi is the Garrison Commander of the Walter Reed Army Medical Center

In front of them is Mrs Irving who is in charge of getting groups like ours into Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

Colonel Garibaldi and his wife were super and I thank them very much for taking the time to be with us during our visit. He told us that he expected us back next year and would like us to put up the Memorial Walls.

Our group had a wonderful time with the patients and their families. I like hearing the comments from the riders after our visits at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. You can tell they have come away from there different people.

I feel it to be an honor to be asked to come back next year. Thank you very much Colonel Garibaldi.












Someone let Brian ride his bike.

I thank all of you for making the 2006 Torches Across America possible

These cities mayor’s have passed a resolution making every 9/11 from now on a “Recognition Day” for their cities First Call Responders

Mayor Dave G. Tate, Hollister, Missouri

Mayor Gary P. Conway, Kimberling City, Missouri

Mayor Jim Wood, Oceanside, California

Mayor Karl A. Smith, Forsyth, Missouri

Mayor Martin J. Chavez, Albuquerque, New Mexico

Mayor Michael J. Muchowski, Township of Florence, County of Burlington, State of New Jersey

Mayor Monica Gates, Kingman, Arizona

Mayor Pro-Tem Paul E. Lear, Reeds Spring, Missouri

Mayor Robert L. Rumfelt, Lakeport, California

Mayor Thomas H. Nagel, Fairborn, Ohio

Mayor Tom Caraker Sr., Troy, Illinois

City Council of Branson West, Missouri

Mayor Samuel A. Salupo, Cambridge, Ohio

Mayor Louis E. Schaefer, Branson, MO

Mayor Laurene West, Santa Clarita, CA

New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson, has proclaimed 9/11 “First Call Responders Recognition Day” for all First Call Responders in New Mexico for 2005 and 2006


Special Recognition:

Mike Mohn; { Guest Speaker for the 2006 Torches Across America's 9/11 Memorial Motorcycle Ride }

Les Knauer; { Web Page Designer ~ WebMaster for the 2006 Torches Across America's 9/11 Memorial Motorcycle Ride }

Marge Covert; devoted wife of Gary Covert [TAA's Nat'l Coordinator] plus her dedication & support for the 2006 Torches Across America's 9/11 Memorial Motorcycle Ride


States Torches Across America 9/11 Memorial Motorcycle Ride travels through:

California:


State Coordinators:

Mike Lee and Wayne Forester


Core Group Helping:

Theresa Mohn, Michele Little, Peter & Roseanne Nash, Glen Ottman


Host:

Kennedy’’s Custom Cycles, Oceanside, California

Victorville, Harley-Davidson, Victorville, CA

Doing Something Special:

Chick-Fil-A Oceanside, California Owner, Jason provided breakfast for TAA Riders prior to departure on Sat; Sept 2nd.


Arizona:


Host:

VFW Post 10386 Kingman, Arizona

Doing Something Special:

"Untouchables, Kingman, AZ ~ donated a hundred dollars worth of Torches Across America pins and patches, shirts to be given to our Armed Forces Members at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington DC.


New Mexico:


State Coordinators:

Rick Parsons & Paul Elam


Host:

Fraternal Order of Police Albuquerque New Mexico Lodge I

The Blue Knights New Mexico VI and Blue Knights New Mexico II are putting everything together.


Doing Something Special:

New Mexico State Police

Albuquerque, New Mexico Motor Officers

Albuquerque, New Mexico Fire Department

Moriarty, New Mexico Police Department

Blue Star Mothers, Albuquerque

Graham Central Station, Albuquerque

Jim (Cyber) Grant escorted us from Gallup, NM to the Route 66 Truck Stop and Casino

Rosanne Bianco for her help at the FOP

Dawn Patrol, Albuquerque www.officialDawnPatrol.com

Albuquerque Aerostat Ascension Association www.balloonfiesta.com

Kevin Cloney, President of Albuquerque Aerostat Ascension Association 2004~2006 www.balloonfiesta.com

Craig Kennedy, Dawn Partol Coordinator, Craig flies the “Intel” balloon during Albuquerque International Ballon Fiesta www.officialDawnPatrol.com

Janie Jordon, field operations Balloon Fiesta Park

“SKYANGEL” Pilots, Keith and Tina Reeves arranged and participated in our ride to Balloon Fiesta Park. www.tinareeves.com

Participating Dawn Patrol Balloons and Pilots;

“Athena” Pilot, Kris Econopouly, hotairboy@aol.com

“Dawn 1” Pilot, Craig Kennedy 505-831-3789

“Enchanted Princess” Pilots, Dr. Don Bonney and Alan Wynn

“Her Highness” Pilot, Clare Wade-Callihan

“Higher love” Pilot, Jim Holley, 1-800-HOTAIR1

“RoadrunnerVII” Pilots, Tom Skidmore and Don Robertson, hotair1@swcp.com

“Sunshine’s Ride” Pilot, Kevin Cloney, 505-281-2352


Texas:


State Coordinator:

Danny Bettis

Doing Something Special:

Holiday Inn Amarillo, Texas


Oklahoma:


State Coordinator:

Joe Sewell


Host:

American Legion Post 308


Doing Something Special:

Oklahoma City, Motor Officers

Oklahoma City, Fire Department

Kari Watkins, Executive Director of the Oklahoma City National Memorial

Leon Gillum, Security Director of the Oklahoma City National Memorial)

Lincoln County, Oklahoma Sheriff Department

Sapulpa, Oklahoma Police Department


Missouri:


State Coordinator:

Gary Covert; {Also: Torches Across America's National Coordinator }

Doing Something Special

Missouri State Troopers

Torches Across America web server, Dependable Internet, Springfield, MO www.dpnd.net/

9/11 Memorial Wall Designed by, Paul York, York Design Group, Springfield, MO www.yorkdesigngroup.com/

Fallen Warriors Memorial Wall Designed by, Jason Wyatt, Sr. Graphic Designer at Dynamic Printing, Hollister, MO www.dynamicprinting1.com/ 417-332-8338

Eric Willis, Operations Director, Dynamic Printing, Hollister, MO for the printing of the 9/11 Memorial Wall and Fallen Warriors Memorial Wall www.dynamicprinting1.com/ 417-332-8338

Painted the Torches Across America Trike, Curry’s Hot Rods and Hot Bikes, Branson, MO www.curryshotrods.com/

Graph designs on the Torches Across America Trike by, Nathan Curry www.curryshotrods.com/

Torches Across America ride shirts printed by, Remark, Branson, MO 417-334-0419


Unique Supporters:

Angelo’’s Hair Modem, Kimberling City, MO

Boomerang Resorts, Branson, MO

Cruisin 66, Springfield, MO

Flash Photo, Branson, MO

Missouri Cajun Market Place, Branson West, MO

Stone County Cycle, Branson West, MO

Ozark Trophy, Kimberling City, MO


Illinois:


State Coordinator:

Roger Alons, VFW Post 976 Commander


Host:

VFW Post 976

American Legion Post 708 Troy, IL


Doing Something Special:

Tina Sandridge, Alton, IL Harley-Davidson, Activities Officer

Dave Weber, Alton, Illinois, H.O.G. Chapter Activities Officer

Illinois Highway Patrol

Troy City Band under the direction of Bob Rosier

St. Jeromes’’ Choir


Ohio:


State Coordinator:

Les Knauer; {Also: Torches Across America's Web Page Designer ~ WebMaster:}

Doing Something Special:

Donna Rush, Holiday Inn, Cambridge, OH

Dunnings Motor Sales, Cambridge, OH

Wall-Mart, Cambridge, Ohio

Free Mason’s, of Ohio

Speedy Print, Cambridge, Ohio

Xango, Cambridge, Ohio

Nancy Knauer, for the many things she did for us and for helping John Norcio

Jim & Karla Bevens, owners of JJ Trikes “n” Things, www.jjtrikesnthings.com . They really went out of there way to help John Norcio while he was in the hospital and helping him get ready for his trip back to California

CMA members that visited John Norico at the London, Ohio Hospital


Pennsylvnia:


Host:

Reds Knights PA 18, Lehighton, PA

Frank Strouse, President Red Knights PA 18. Frank also does a web page called Motorcycle Roads.US www.motorcycleroads.us

Bruce Koch, Red Knights PA 18. This ride meant a lot to Bruce last year and he asked if we could maybe spend the evening in his home area of Lehighton during the 2006 ride. So this stop is all your fault Bruce. LOL


Doing Something Special:

Blocker Harley- Davidson Motorcycle Dealership, Parryville, PA

Bowmanstown, PA Fire House

Angelo Carile, New Century HOG, 9/11 Ride to Shanksville, PA
SEPT11MEMORIALRIDE.html

Steve Plank, for help in Washington, DC and a great escort from Bedford, PA to crash site 93 in Shanksville, PA


New Jersey:


Host:

Tramontin Harley-Davidson, Hope, New Jersey is a host for the 911Memorial Run put together by Tattoo Bob. And at this time we join them on the ride to NYC and Brooklyn NY. The ride at this time is known as the 9/11 Memorial Run

Hoboken M.C. has invited us to a 9/11 Memorial Pasta Dinner at the Hoboken M.C. Club House in Jersey City, New Jersey. We know the food is great because this is the third time we have been there

Some of the clubs and riders that work very hard
to make this part of the ride as smooth as silk
for the riders

911 Memorial Run Coordinator, Tattoo Bob, 911memorialrun.com
Red Knights New Jersey 14

Angels of Fire M.C.

Wild Pigs M.C.

Axemen M.C.

American Firefighters M.C.

Brooklyn H.O.G.

Kathi Bedard Red Knights NJ 14

Fred Beard Red Knights NJ 14

Mike Peoples, President Red Knights NJ 14

Animal, Hoboken M.C.

Triple E, Hoboken M.C.

Angel, Hoboken, M.C.


New York:


Host:

Brooklyn Harley-Davidson is a host for the 911Memorial Run put together by Tattoo Bob
and while we are there the ride is known as the 9/11 Memorial Run

Brooklyn H.O.G. Chapter

I thank Tattoo Bob very much for letting us be a part of the 911Memorial Run this year
on September 9th and 11th. This will be the fifth year for his ride


Washington DC:


Doing Something Special:

Pentagon Police

Arlington, Virginia Fire Department
9/11 "Rattle the Runway Ride"
http://www.rattletherunwayride.com/

Tom Grove, for a great escort form the Pentagon to Walter Reed Army Medical Center

Col Peter M. Garibaldi and his wife Essie, Garrison Commander Walter Reed Army Medical
Center

Ms Irving, Walter Reed Army Medical Center

States that are NOT on the Torches Across America's Ride Route:

Oregon:


State Coordinator:

Don Snyder; {Also: Great Ride Captain for Torches Across America's 9/11 Memorial Motorcycle Ride:}

Donna Rush's pictures for the morning leaving Cambridge, OH September 8, 2006

Donna Rush's pictures for the evening in Cambridge, Ohio September 7, 2006

Branson Missouri has made 9/11 a Recognition Day for their cities First Call Responders

Branson Missouri has made 9/11 a Recognition Day for their cities First Call Responders.

RESOLUTION NO. 2006-ROO4

A RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING SEPTEMBER 11 AS FIRST CALL RESPONDERS
RECOGNITION DAY.

WHEREAS, the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 claimed the lives of more than
3,000 innocent victims including fire fighters, law enforcement officers and emergency
medical services personnel doing heroic rescue operations at the World Trade Center; and

WHEREAS, in states, counties and communities across our nation First Call Responders --
including law enforcement, fire fighters and emergency medical services personnel -
continually provide high levels of protection and public service; and

WHEREAS, these First Call Responders unselfishly risk their lives in answering emergency
situations to save property and lives; and :

WHEREAS, these heroes of our community deserve the recognition for their commitment
and personal sacrifice, and for preserving the peace and well-being of all; and

WHEREAS, the Branson Board of Aldermen recognizes the importance of having these
men and women of this distinct caliber in our city to make it a safe and secure place to live,
work and visit;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND BOARD OF
ALDERMEN OF THE CITY OF BRANSON, AS FOLLOWS:

Section 1: That each September 11 be proclaimed as "First Call Responders Recognition
Day'~ in Branson, Missouri recognizing all First Call Responders

Section 2: That this resolution shall be in effect from and after its adoption.

Read, passed and truly agreed 'to by the Board of Aldermen of the City of Branson, Missouri, on
this 13th day of February, 2006.

ATTEST: RM:
Resolution No. 2006-ROO4
Page 1 of 1

Sorry to say that Hoboken and Jersey City, New Jersey did not pass a resolution making 9/11 a Recognition Day for their First Call Responders

I told everyone before the ride that Hoboken and Jersey City, New Jersey were going to make 9/11 a Recognition Day for their cities First Call Responders and the mayors of these cities would be present on the evening of September 9, 2006 for the Pasta Memorial Dinner at the Hoboken M/C Club House.

Well none of this happened. My mistake sorry about that.

Have a great day.
Gary Covert

Hi everyone I am sorry to say I can not put pictures on Blogger

Hi Everyone,

For some reason everytime I go to up load a picture on blogger it does not load. I will have to find another way to get the pictures up.

Have a great day.
Gary Covert

Leaving Oceanside, CA September 2, 2006

September 1, 2006 pictures of us leaving San Diego, CA with the World Memorial.

Mike and Theresa Mohn before leaving San Diego for Oceanside, CA.















Group picture.















John Norico pointing out the name of Nicole Miller who died September 11, 2001 on United Airlines Flight 93 in Shanksville, PA. Nicole Miller was a neighbor of John's years ago and used to play with John's kids.
















Brus Messinger President and Founder of the World Memorial with artist Kathleen (Katon) Tonnesen. Kathleen Built the Art Exhibit "Release of Souls" that is going to be exhibited in NYC on September 11, 2006.















Mike Mohn.















Bruce Cartelli on the left and his wife Lesia in pink on the right.
















Marge Covert and Theresa Mohn having lunch in "Old Town" San Diego, CA.

We are adding another stop in Flagstaff, AZ

Mitch Mender has been inviteted by the Flagstaff, AZ Fire Department to bring the World Nemorial to Flagstaff. We will arrive at Sam's Club parking lot around 9:30pm and depart at 10:00am. The address is SAM'S CLUB 1851 E BUTLER AVENUE FLAGSTAFF , AZ (928) 774-9444.

We have a change in Cambridge, OH

When we arrive in Cambridge, OH we are going to the Wal-Mart parking lot at 61216 Southgate Parkway, Cambridge, OH 43725.

Group dinner for the evening of September 1, 2006 in Oceanside, CA.

We are all going to meet at "Pat & Oscars" 965 Palama Airport Rd., Carlsbad, CA (760) 929-7040 at 6:30pm.