10 Nov Texas Honor Ride

Thanks Tom Byrd and Glenn Boswell for the pictures!

We left home about 8:30, 10 Nov 07, headed for the rest area on west bound IH 10 at mile marker 619.  While enroute, we were passed by several local police department officers on motorcycles and patrol vehicles.  The ride was enjoyable with temperature 70 to 72 degrees with a light wind.  Upon arriving at the rest area, it appeared that it had been taken over by bikes, trikes, and police vehicles from counties, cities, and Fort Sam Houston. Volunteers  directed us to areas where we parked.  While visiting with some of the riders, there was somewhat of a steady stream of bikes arriving, as well as additional police officers.  About 10:30, all gathered together where a member of the Christian Motorcycle Association said a prayer for us and the wounded warrior who we were there for. 

Following this, a safety briefing was conducted.  We then moved to our vehicles in preparation of departing.  The first group of about 100 bikes, escorted by Fort Sam Houston, city, and county police departed for Salado Park on Fort Sam Houston.  About 10 minutes later, our group, with police escort, departed.  By this time, the winds had picked up quite a bit so we all knew we must be extra careful.  It was really awesome to look in the rear view mirror and see nothing but motorcycle headlights as far back as possible.  Upon arrival at Fort Sam Houston, the Security Guards waved us through the gate and we proceeded to Salado Park where we were parked beneath trees.

Tables and chairs had been set up pending our arrival and a band from Houston was preparing to perform.  There were a few wounded warriors on site that were visited with by different riders. Then, the magic words were mentioned:  “Line up for food”. 

The meal was catered by Rudy’s and consisted of brisket, sausage, corn, beans, potato salad, and the normal fixings.  Throughout the afternoon, patches, shirts, and other items were being sold in support of the mission.  A beautiful quilt, a HD motorcycle with trailer, a Vespa scooter, and other items were raffled off.  I was unable to get a total count of bikes/trikes and individuals, but feel there was in the neighborhood of 1000 bikes/trikes there. 

Tom and Nancy Byrd, Chapter Photographers

Editor’s note:  Other Chapter U members, Glenn and Vince Boswell and Sal and Phylis Pesta, participated as well.  We had had the ride to Salado on the ride schedule for a long time and we had listed this Honor Ride as an alternate activity.  Thanks to the Byrd, Boswell and Pestas for representing Chapter U.  If you receive any information on rides like this, please forward that information to our Ride Coordinator, Mike Mills, so we can put the information out to anyone interested.