4th Annual Ghost Ride - Combat Vets Morotcycle Association
On July 23, 2100 we had a decision to make. There were two runs scheduled both with a veterans theme and to be honest, we really do not like to miss any of these runs. The ADK/LG Leathernecks were holding their Third Annual Ride for Marine Sgt. Eddie Ryan and the Combat Vets Motorcycle Association were holding their Fourth Annual Ghost Ride to support veterans.
Last year we went on the Leathernecks ride and we had an awesome time and were considering going again. But two things made us decide to go to the Combat Vets ride. The first was that they asked us to cover the ride. From a business perspective we have been somewhat ignoring the northern part of our coverage area and this would give us an opportunity to cover a ride in the northern area of our coverage area. So the decision was made to cover the Combat Vets ride. To our friends in the ADK/LG Leathernecks please accept our apologies. There is only one of me and sometime I need to make decisions. I would invite anyone from the ADK/LG Leathernecks who has the desire to write an article about the Sgt. Eddie Ryan ride and submit it with pictures and I promise that it will get published.
I left home and headed up 9N through Bolton and Hague to Ticonderoga. The starting point was the Treadway Sunoco Station in Ticonderoga. As I have never attended this run before I was not quite sure what to expect. The weather was absolutely perfect and a T-shirt departure was in order. When I arrived I was immediately welcomed to the event and the parking lot at the Treadway Sunoco was filled to capacity. The Veterans Administration was on hand with their mobile veteran’s outreach and support van and there were representatives of the New York State Police, Essex County Sherriff’s Department and Ticonderoga Police on hand for traffic control.
Registration was quick and painless and you had the option of paying just for the opportunity to ride or paying for the ride and a steak or chicken dinner. After an orientation by Ron Dashna (RONBO) the ride captain and a prayer by Chaplain Doug Mauran we departed Ticonderoga with 182 bikes.
The purpose of this ride is to both honor the local veterans and to raise money to support them in their times of need. To this end, Combat Vets clubs from around the area appear to descend on Ticonderoga with a vengeance to support this ride.
The ride departed Ticonderoga and proceeded through Port Henry, Moriah and Mineville. As the ride proceeded through Port Henry I realized that this was not a ride but rather a regional event. The Port Henry Volunteer Fire Company was handling traffic control. The residents were out in force with American flags and signs showing support for our troops and veterans. The same thing happened in Moriah where the Moriah Volunteer Fire Department not only handled traffic control but placed an engine on Main Street to act as an honor guard.
I was not aware of the fact that there was a recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor from the Mineville/Moriah area. Our first stop was to be the Raymond Wright Park in Mineville. The park is named after Raymond “Buzz” Wright who served gallantly in Vietnam and was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his actions. You can read his citation here. When we arrived in Mineville the riders started doing the thing that comes natural which is to park at the side of the road. We later discovered that the entire road was sealed off to the north by the New York State Police and to the south by the Mineveill – Witherbee Volunteer Fire Department and the Essex County Sheriff’s Department. It was a hot day and coolers of water magically appeared for the participants to drink. The members of the ride mingled with the local residents as we listened to speeches, one of which was given by Congressman Bill Owen. After the speeches, a wreath was laid in the park, taps were sounded and a 21 gun salute was presented. The members of the local VFW provided an honor guard, a color guard and the firing squad. They are to be commended for their time and effort in honoring the local veterans during this festivity. As with the villages of Port Henry and Moriah, the village of Mineville was also decorated with signs of support for our troops and veterans. I was just simply amazed at this out pouring of support from these communities. I am used to seeing such exhibitions of support during Memorial Day and Veterans Day but to see this in the end of July was inspiring. Did I mention that this is a regional event and not just a ride?
With the ceremonies concluded, the ride departed Mineville and headed to our next stop which was Sporty’s Iron Duke Saloon in Minerva. Sporty was hosting his annual Custom Car and Motorcycle Show and it was a refreshing divergence. Many of us opted to pay the $3.00 donation to support the Essex County Toys for Tots Campaign and view the cars. As is always the case, the service at Sporty’s was fast, the refreshments were cold and the environment just real friendly and conducive to a good time.
Eventually we mounted up and headed back to Ticonderoga where the ride terminated and the food was being prepared. I decided to skip diner and head home.
This was a great event full of patriotic pride, a nicely selected riding route, well supported by the local community and well supported by the various Combat Vets groups in the area. If I can find one thing to complain about it is the scheduling. Guys, find a slot in the schedule where you are not competing with another Veterans group. If the ride organizers did that they might find that they would be able to increase their bike count by about 50% and everybody wins. They get a chance to ride south and support the Veterans groups in the Glens Falls\Lake George area and the members of the groups in that area would have to opportunity to ride north and experience this wonderful event.
A marvelous event that was well executed. The Combat Vets Motorcycle Association should be proud of this event.
