And then, there are people like Gail Worth.
Gail has never forgotten the cowardly way
these United States were made to pay the price
for some fanatic’s idea of penance due, and if
she has her way, you and I will never forget as
well. Gail’s original 9-11 event was not con-
ceived out of a need to be one of the “every-
body’s doing it” crowd. She along with her staff,
have not only a deep love of our nation, but they
also care deeply about its citizens and those who
protect and serve them. Remember 9-11? A
total of 411 emergency workers who responded
to the scene died as they attempted to rescue
people and fight fires. The New York City Fire De-
partment (FDNY) lost 341 firefighters and 2
FDNY paramedics. The New York City Police De-
partment lost 23 officers. The Port Authority Po-
lice Department lost 37 officers, and 8 additional
EMTs and paramedics from private EMS units
were killed
It is with pride that I have watched this event
steadily grow each year while other such events
have faded away. For 2009 the event had grown
to the point that one day would not be enough to
hold it all, so the ride portion of the event was
moved to the evening of Friday the 11th. I was concerned
as to what effect this might have on ride attendance con-
sidering the fact that most folks work on Fridays and riders
come from all over the metro and beyond to attend the
ride. So much for my concern. Nearly 3000 riders
showed up for the trip from Gail’s Harley-Davidson to Fuel
in Overland Park. I guess that is why the sign says Gail’s
Harley-Davidson instead of Loney’s H-D.
A United States Marine Corps Honor Guard was once
again on hand to retire Old Glory. The stars and stripes
being retired had flown proudly over Gail’s since being
put into service the preceding year in the same fashion.
Standing amongst my fellow Americans, watching this na-
tion’s finest show our colors the reverence they deserve,
in stark contrast to how it is treated by many others these
days, brings a sense of patriotism that defies explanation
by mere words. The tears Gail stealthily tried to wipe away
as she received the retired symbol of our freedom, said it
much better than I could.
As always, police officers from several departments led
the ride and also blocked intersections for the riders. This
may not seem like a big deal until you consider the fact
that the ENTIRE route was blocked for us. Picture the ride
leaving Gail’s with over 60 police motorcycles leading the
pack with lights blazing. The police scooters were joined
by a couple of vintage fire trucks and a military jeep to
boot. This year, for a change, after shooting a few pictures
of the first pack of bikes leaving, I jumped on my scooter
and joined the ride. The sight of all the people lining the
route waving their hands and flags made me
very proud to call myself an American.
The ride ended in what seemed like no time
at Fuel American Made Bar and Grill in Overland
Park. Owner Shawn McClenny laid out the wel-
come mat in style. A huge stage greeted the rid-
ers, and in no time we were enjoying the sounds
of local AC/DC tribute band KC/DC. These guys
rocked! While Fuels staff may have been a little
shocked by the size of the crowd, you would
never have known it by the great service they
provided. This was one of those nights you
wished would just go on and on.
The following morning the festivities contin-
ued at Gail’s. This was not the day to sleep in.
Those folks inclined to roll out in the a.m. had a
wake-up call better than any cup of coffee. The
unmistakable sound of a pair of huge synchro-
Wide Open 19
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116