Bikeforums.net is a forum about nothing but bikes. Our community can help you find information about hard-to-find and localized information like bicycle tours, specialties like where in your area to have your recumbent bike serviced, or what are the best bicycle tires and seats for the activities you use your bike for.smoline
10-19-08, 07:17 PM
Also known as "Gyrene's Journey: A Cross-Country Tour Borne of Respect, Admiration, and Appreciation" on crazyguyonabike.com
On August 4, 2008, the son of a very dear, close friend of mine was killed in action (KIA) in the defense of his country. Capt Garrett Lawton, USMC, was the sole fatality in his Humvee when it was attacked by an IED in Afghanistan while engaged in combat operations in the Global War on Terrorism. Capt Lawton left behind a beautiful young wife, two small boys -- ages 4 and 6 --, and heartbroken parents and sister whose lives have been irrevocably altered.
I had the proud but painful honor to attend military memorial services for Capt Lawton. I witnessed firsthand the depths of personal anguish and suffering such a loss places upon a family. I will never forget the distraught and bewildered faces of the two young sons who were not yet able to comprehend that their daddy was gone forever. And I promised Mrs. Lawton and the rest of the family that I would do anything and everything I could to help them recover and put their lives back in order.
With that purpose in mind, The Captain Garrett T. Lawton Foundation (www.thelawtonfoundation.org) was established. The Foundation is a non-profit charity, the purpose of which is to provide support and assistance to the thousands of military families who have lost a loved one in the service of our country. The Lawtons, and the name of the Foundation, represent but one of the over 4,000 families in the U.S. who have made similar tragic sacrifices when a husband, father, son, wife, daughter, or mother has fallen on the battlefield in Iraq or Afghanistan. We, as a grateful nation, owe these families; and we owe it to the fallen warriors to ensure that their families are not abandoned or forgotten.
This cross-country bike tour is the first fundraising event for the Foundation. The ride will follow the Adventure Cycling Association Southern Tier route, going east-to-west, and will be self-supported. We will begin in St. Augustine, FL on Sunday, 26 October at 8:00AM. We hope to be in San Diego by 20 December. Our goal is to raise money, either through a direct donation or a "by-the-mile" pledge, to provide for college tuition, trust funds, financial aid, and other support mechanisms to help the families of the fallen. You can donate directly via the website, or by mailing a donation to the address on the website.
As a retired Marine myself, I have a keen understanding of the sacrifices that our service members and their families are making in their valiant efforts to ensure our freedoms. I hold a reverent degree of respect, admiration, and appreciation for everything they do for us and our families, and I hope you do as well. This trip is dedicated to our military and all of our proud service members. I hope to see you on the road.
Semper Fi,
Steve Moline
Major, U.S. Marine Corps (Ret)
The Captain Garrett T. Lawton Foundation
www.thelawtonfoundation.org
On August 4, 2008, the son of a very dear, close friend of mine was killed in action (KIA) in the defense of his country. Capt Garrett Lawton, USMC, was the sole fatality in his Humvee when it was attacked by an IED in Afghanistan while engaged in combat operations in the Global War on Terrorism. Capt Lawton left behind a beautiful young wife, two small boys -- ages 4 and 6 --, and heartbroken parents and sister whose lives have been irrevocably altered.
I had the proud but painful honor to attend military memorial services for Capt Lawton. I witnessed firsthand the depths of personal anguish and suffering such a loss places upon a family. I will never forget the distraught and bewildered faces of the two young sons who were not yet able to comprehend that their daddy was gone forever. And I promised Mrs. Lawton and the rest of the family that I would do anything and everything I could to help them recover and put their lives back in order.
With that purpose in mind, The Captain Garrett T. Lawton Foundation (www.thelawtonfoundation.org) was established. The Foundation is a non-profit charity, the purpose of which is to provide support and assistance to the thousands of military families who have lost a loved one in the service of our country. The Lawtons, and the name of the Foundation, represent but one of the over 4,000 families in the U.S. who have made similar tragic sacrifices when a husband, father, son, wife, daughter, or mother has fallen on the battlefield in Iraq or Afghanistan. We, as a grateful nation, owe these families; and we owe it to the fallen warriors to ensure that their families are not abandoned or forgotten.
This cross-country bike tour is the first fundraising event for the Foundation. The ride will follow the Adventure Cycling Association Southern Tier route, going east-to-west, and will be self-supported. We will begin in St. Augustine, FL on Sunday, 26 October at 8:00AM. We hope to be in San Diego by 20 December. Our goal is to raise money, either through a direct donation or a "by-the-mile" pledge, to provide for college tuition, trust funds, financial aid, and other support mechanisms to help the families of the fallen. You can donate directly via the website, or by mailing a donation to the address on the website.
As a retired Marine myself, I have a keen understanding of the sacrifices that our service members and their families are making in their valiant efforts to ensure our freedoms. I hold a reverent degree of respect, admiration, and appreciation for everything they do for us and our families, and I hope you do as well. This trip is dedicated to our military and all of our proud service members. I hope to see you on the road.
Semper Fi,
Steve Moline
Major, U.S. Marine Corps (Ret)
The Captain Garrett T. Lawton Foundation
www.thelawtonfoundation.org