EDITORS NOTE: This was another great event, so please make sure to check out our 7th Annual Walk to Remember video; provided by Randall Sea Hawk Hauk with Sea Hawk Media Productions, and a proud member of the Cycle Connections team and the Patriot Guard Riders.
Two hundred eight lives to honor and remember from Kansas and Missouri. Two hundred eight heroes who gave the ultimate sacrifice in the war on terrorism. We took time to remember with tears streaming. Time does not heal all. The pain for the families and friends is very real and it does not sleep.
Walk to Remember has been a fundraiser for seven years for the Colby M. Farnan Memorial Foundation. Monies raised through the Walk to Remember have purchased 26 Battlefield Cross Memorials which were presented to families of those who have lost their lives in the war on terrorism since 911. The 7th Annual Walk to Remember on May 5, 2012, in Weston, Missouri raised just over $16,000, enough to purchase 4 more Battlefield Cross Memorials.
A Ride to the Walk with 127 motorcycles departed Red X in Riverside, Missouri escorted by the Riverside Police Department at 8:30 a.m. May 5, 2012. During the riders meeting a story was shared of a dream, a promise a Father and a son had of riding their motorcycles together when the son returned from Iraq. The son lost his life. Each loss has its own story of lost dreams and lost promises. To honor all of those lost in this war, the riders were asked to place their passenger foot pegs/boards in the riding position. Each of us carried the spirit of those who cannot ride with us again.
The opening ceremonies were led by Patrick Farnan, Gold Star Father of Colby M. Farnan and president of the Colby M. Farnan Memorial Foundation. Pastor Gary (Sam) Sanford Chap. (COL) Ret. Leavenworth, Kansas offered an opening prayer. The Pledge of Allegiance was said in unison. An Honor Guard consisting of active duty soldiers from Ft. Riley (Gold Star family members and friends) presented the colors. Francis Stockman (bugler) from Ozawkie, Kansas played Taps. Phillip Farnan led those gathered in the singing of the National Anthem.
The Walk to Remember put faces with the names. Poster boards bearing photos and personal remembrances of those two hundred eight soldiers were mounted on stakes lined by a heavily wooded trail. Small flags and candles were placed at the base of each stake. Many of the posters contained mementos from family and friends from previous Walks. The trail was transformed into a solemn, spiritual moment in time as walkers stopped to read the posted information. The pain returns. The tears continue. The memory of the dreams and promises revisit.
Special acknowledgement and thank you for assistance with the Ride to Walk to Remember:
Red X, Riverside
Riverside Police Officer Al Sauer-escort
Riverside Police Sgt. Dennis Jones-escort
Platte County Sgt. Jimmy Wells-escort
Riverside Police Department
Riverside Fire Department
Parkville Police Department
Platte County Sherifffs Department
Weston Police Department
(Ret. MO HP) Gary Baker-LEO coordinator
Terry Hummel-ride coordinator
Ron Maki-ride coordinator
Dennis Walden-Lead Road Captain
Bob Ford-Lead Road Captain
Road Captains:
Kent Curfman
J. C. Curfman
Dave Miller
Betty Ford
Ken Breedlove
Pete Robbins
Ron Roberts
Don Hughes
Joe Tinker
Randall Hauk
Bob Edwards
Dennis Wright
Tom Countryman
Donna Byam
Park Lowell
Special recognition to all the volunteers who gave of their time and talents.
Article by Darrell Curfman
Video by Randall Hauk
Photos by Bob Edwards, Lesa Vaught Ross, Lisa Liljeroos Carter, and Sue Travis
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
