Ride Report Veteran's Day Luge Flag Raising Ceromony

Discussion in 'Ride Reports' started by mpmffitz, Nov 11, 2009.

  1. mpmffitz

    mpmffitz Farm Freerider

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    Great ride 14 riders in all. I'm standing by for pics. It was great to give Allegiance to the Flag as rag tag band of STR's.
     
  2. kevinator

    kevinator Staying hydrated

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    +1....thanks to everyone who made time for, and organized this. I appreciate it. :bang:
     
  3. RustyIron

    RustyIron Rob S.

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    Thank you guys for tending to the symbol of our great nation. A group of six of us were the first to visit after your handy work. I got to meet Herzalot et al. at the beginning of the STT, while waiting for the rest of our group to catch up. Three of ours were Luge Virgins, but that's now been fixed. Visibility was stunning: there was a thick, low altitude layer of moisture, above which we could see San Clemente, Santa Catalina, Palos Verdes, and the Santa Monicas. It's always an honor to stand beneath the flag, but more so today on Veterans Day.

    What is the full story of the flag? Who put it up there originally?
     
  4. genusmtbkr5

    genusmtbkr5 STR Moderator

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    Today on this Veteran's Day, I was joined by other Veterans as well as families of Veterans, past and present. The ride up STT was uneventful as more riders came to join in the ceremony.

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    Once at the flag. The tired Old Glory was replaced by a new Flag. Then we all said the Pledge Of Allegiance. Happy Veteran's Day! Thanks for all you do.

    The Old Flag being retired
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    Pics by Vickie

    The New Flag
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    Pics by Vickie

    Group Shot
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    Pic by Anne H.
     
  5. paulbschmidt

    paulbschmidt KNEEL BEFORE ZOD

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    Nicely done gang. I got sidetracked at the last minute. Looked like a great ride and properly done.

    PBS
     
  6. OMR

    OMR Old Man Riding...

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    Good job, grasshoppers..

    I much rather would have been riding with you than doing balance testing on elderly Iranian women who didn't speak much English.... the things we do for money. Although I never had to fire a wepon in anger when I was in the Army, I am constantly amazed and proud of those that put their lives on the line for us... people we'll never know doing their jobs in far off countries that are hard to spell.

    I am damn proud to be an American and honor those that defend that previlege...
     
  7. RustyIron

    RustyIron Rob S.

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    Dude... When you switch positions and the elderly Iranian women balance on top of you, who pays?
     
  8. herzalot

    herzalot Well-Known Member

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    Thanks to all who organized this. It was kind of amusing listening to five or six resourceful people try to decide what to do about the new Old Glory that was too big for the pole. My solution would have been get a smaller flag, (not as small as the one I was carrying), but I look forward to seeing the longer post that will be installed so that the large flag may wave more majestically. Good stuff. :wave:
     
  9. mpmffitz

    mpmffitz Farm Freerider

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    This was a great ride report, I'm humbled to be with such patriotic mountain bikers that not only love this country, but love the local dirt.

    We were quite concerned about the size of the flag, but we improvised the flag pole to suit the larger size standard.

    As a fomer Marine, I have the endurance to post more flags at more summits of the trails we all ride.

    The green shirt I was wearing was in dedication to the fellow members of my Special Operations team from the ADMAX in Colorado. We were responsible for transport of the worlds most dangerous prisoners including Al Qiuada inmates.

    By the way, I have the weathered flag from today in my garage with a light on it, until it can be properly retired by a Boy Scout group.
     
  10. genusmtbkr5

    genusmtbkr5 STR Moderator

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    Ya that might just be the plan. I went to 2 places but didn't have the quality we need. I'll go up tomorrow afternoon and replace it with the correct size

    The one flying now, we can hoist up the other pole that most don't ever see.
     
  11. Dino Brown

    Dino Brown Sir Smack-Alot

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    Nearly brought a tear to my eye...

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    Thank you... :clap:
     
  12. Rumpled

    Rumpled Longtime Newb

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    Couldn't join the morning group as I have a job.
    A buddy and I set off at 6:10 pm. This was my first attempt at the luge, and at night no less.
    It was an adventure for me for sure. I couldn't even make it up. Modjeska Grade without a bit of HAB. A few more hikes up to the flag. Nice big flag up there.
    Lots of braking and crashing for me on the way down.
    A good ride for me overall.

    Happy? Veteran's Day to all of those who have served.
     
  13. jamisjake

    jamisjake Active Member

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    Man, I really wanted to make this ride, but got stuck working overtime.](*,)
     
  14. mpmffitz

    mpmffitz Farm Freerider

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    I speaking for the group, preserve your accolades in my soul for this was a moment to remember, epecially the Pledge of Allegiance in unison..
     
  15. denmother

    denmother Gone riding....

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    Sorry I missed it. Thanks for putting it together and for the new flag!!!
     
  16. jcka

    jcka Member

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    It was certainly a great ride. It was an honor riding with all of you. :beer:
     
  17. Draheim18

    Draheim18 Tow Master

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    I would like to thank you guys for putting up the new flag.

    I think I came across your group on Modjeska Grade, I was riding my road bike and had a black/red Rock N' Road jersey on (the one that also watered the dirt on the side of the road :lol:).
     
  18. Byron B

    Byron B Born to Ride

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    The flag looks HUGE! .. nice work guys, I might ride up there tonight..
     
  19. genusmtbkr5

    genusmtbkr5 STR Moderator

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    I went back up today to put the correct size up. I found a heavy duty flag at True Value which is the same kind we put up on opening day. I heard the flag, which we put up on Veteran's Day was flying ok from my roommate Donna. She saw it after coming from Joplin via Old Camp/STT. Turned out that it was, but it was connected to the lights which did raise it about a foot. Still would hit the ground if no wind at all cause I checked. Also the light mounts are plastic which probably would've broke if we had strong winds. Since I had the correct size, I replaced it. Thanks to the guys that were up there to help me with the Flag on the Luge.
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    Looking back at the Luge Flag from STT
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    While at the Luge Flag staring at the other pole from a distance and since I had the bigger flag,
    I rode back up and took the and raised it there. Now there are 2.
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    If you look, you can see the other flag in the distance.
     
  20. mpmffitz

    mpmffitz Farm Freerider

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    Thanks the luge is close to the genus eh???
     

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