Remember the Wounded Ride

So far this week:

Semper fi to Max Lt Col. USMC Retired,

Visited the US Marine Corp Museum

Rode 60 miles from Forrest Md to Richmond Va., where he is being hosted by DPOE loge #45.

Met Paul Galanti,  POW who spent 7 years in the Hanoi Hilton.

Last week

Scott was present when five people were honored by “Throws of Love”, and interviewed Donna Hogue who started the organization in 2006.

The re-cycled bicycle King, Actually it is a good likeness of well defined features that those who know Corporal King recognize. The winning smile and clear eyed gaze being an essential focus point. The artist nailed it.

Scot King will be picking up from Kent Island, just across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge from Annapoplis, Md, Where the 2011 Remember the Wounded Ride ended with the presentation of the Maryland State Flag and a letter from Rep Steny Hoyer accompanying a US Flag that was flown from the nations Capitol.   Elks Lodge 622 hosted Corporal King and feted local warriors at a lodge dinner.

Getting ready to ride, the Bike Doctor of Annapolis says the mean yellow machine is ready.  Just trying to bridge the problems with authorities to get permission to cross the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. ( Not the Bridge and tunnel.)

Today Corporal Scott King interviewed a WWII Vet who saved 54 souls after their ship was struck by two German torpedoes.  Despite his 92 years of age, people are still working to get the recognition this sailor deserves.  His actions, starting the generator to power emergency communications equipment on an already abandoned bridge, and sending the SOS, as the ship slipped under the waves ensured that four hours later the crew met a rescue ship and not eternity. It is a tough call given the cruel nature of the war and the nature of the wolf pack.

The story of a WW II Wave is inspirational and uplifting. Miss Jane has completed her “bucket list” and is ready to ride on to a greater reward, as she related it to Scott.

A Korean War era Navy veteran submariner, told what he could about his tour on an attack submarine. The small nimble 40 crewman ship, traveled undetected under the world’s oceans facing dangers inherent to the cold war as well as the dangers found deep beneath the surface.

Our Marine finished his day, after a radio spot, listening to a Navy vet who turned down a stint with the Air Force. Because he didn’t want to work on planes,  this Naval aviation repairman, found himself fixing Navy planes on an Air force base, which work prepared him for a career with NASA.

Also, The Kent Island Elks Lodge rocks, 98 RSVP’s for a ride sendoff dinner,  and finally to Michelle, “You have Magic Hands”, and I’m certain any vet you touch with those fingers will be transformed.

Finishing what I started. Beginning in Maryland Tuesday 4/24/2012, after a long twelve hour flight, the story starts anew. What a great organization Trucking 4 Troops is.

Like the Wounded Warrior Foundation in Oregon and throughout the nation, the Mallory Family devoted themselves to Welcoming the troops home, organizing events for Wounded Vets and families and providing some extra special transportation in the form of two Ford F650 Pick Up Trucks.  .

Scott got to ride in one of them after dinner and called it in over the powerful Triton V 10

Spinning your wheels, sometimes its futility, other times just out of frustration, for some it is just about transportation, occupational in nature, but fraught with danger and laden with deep hidden and ominous regret. Still it can be as though life itself were wrapped up in the joy of the ride, whether operating a bus or controlling a two seater bi-plane, escape can be found by opening up the throttle of chopper or on a quiet, dignified pilgrimage on horseback. The stories in this First Volume of America’s Heroes: Untold Stories of Honor, Courage and Sacrifice are all part of a journey. Corporal Scott King, USMC has taken us on tour with him.

It is not an easy read, as the trek  follows the spine of the Cascades the story of Gunner Becker, US Army, as told by his mother, is as heart wrenching as they come. Gunner was not awarded the purple heart, but his story will make a mark upon your soul and test the strength of your conviction. But his story is what it is, of a young man determined to make a difference, yet striving to make a mark.

Hoping across the Cascade Range, following on through Yakama and beyond to the vast eastern Washington desert, where mile after mile of dry hot wind can make drinking water seem futile. Much like the futility Sergeant Vilis Berst, formerly with the 803rd Tank Destroyer Battalion shared with Corporal King. Sergeant Berst, despite earning a purple heart during the battle of the Bulge he was never awarded his, it does make a difference today for treatments sake.  Yet his buddy got two from the same action.

Pedaling up and then down the Rocky Mountains and beyond, Corporal King traversed a breathtaking landscape matched only by the courage of citizen soldiers whose struggles are the motivation for the book. In talking to Corporal King they did not seek fame, they did not seek honors missed and certainly not more medals, these men related their trials in the hope that their story might help another veteran. Throughout the book brave men volunteered once again in an effort to take care of other veterans.

As a nation we struggle to recognize the sacrifices of wounded veterans of all branches and all the conflicts in which our nation has been entangled. By encouraging them to tell their stories, to allow them to share the memories they were fighting, others can tell their own stories and by giving them voice, end their journey. Let us all embrace this work, help the families and by this embrace, welcome the wounded honorably unconditionally home.  DMH

Order the book online from Argus Books.

Details coming soon.