| American Legion Post 297 and British Legion Riders to Have fourth of July Memorial Ride For Those Who Served and Died For Our Independence Is one of this countries most celebrated holidays. It is a remembrance of winning our independence from England over 200 years ago. This Fourth of July will see a slightly different remembrance by two groups of motorcycle enthusiasts. Most people have heard of the American Legion, an organization made up of veterans, their spouses, sons and daughters. What many may not have heard about is the American Legion Riders. These are men and women who are part of the American Legion family whether it be the Legion, the Auxiliary, or the Son’ s of the American Legion. You can not be a member of the American Legion Riders, or “Riders” as they usually call themselves, without being a member of one of the three entities of the American Legion. What you also may not be aware of is that in England there are these same organizations. They are The Royal British Legion, and The Royal British Legion Riders, (RBLR). The aims and goals of both of these organizations is the same as our, to assist and remember our countries veterans. The American Legion Post 297 is located in Benbrook, Texas. The Assistant Director of Post 297’s Riders is George “Tank” Sherman. Mr. Sherman has the distinct honor of being a member of both the American Legion Riders AND the Royal British Legion Riders. He keeps in touch with his brothers and sisters “across the pond” and was made aware of an event this Forth of July to honor this countries fallen at Cambridge National Cemetery. The Cambridge American Cemetery and Memorial site in England, 30.5 acres in total, was donated by the University of Cambridge. It lies on a slope with the west and south sides framed by woodland. The cemetery contains the remains of 3,812 of our military dead; 5,127 names are recorded on the Tablets of the Missing. Rosettes mark the names of those since recovered and identified. Most died in the Battle of the Atlantic or in the strategic air bombardment of northwest Europe. Two brothers, Bob and Norman Parker, were discussing the Cambridge Cemetery and remarked that it had a “stillness” and a look of “loneliness” about it. They discussed it and decided to try to raise awareness for this cemetery and have a commemorative memorial ride to honor those who are interred there. From this beginning, back in February of this year, the event has grown. To date there are now over 400 registered riders planning on attending this event. Response has been overwhelming in a show of support. There will be a presentation of, and laying of a wreath by an American Military Officer. Any funds generated will go to the “Poppy Appeal”, an organization like our own “Fisher House” that is used to help our veterans. Since being contacted in February about this event, Mr. Sherman learned of twelve English, Canadian, and American service men who are interred here in Greenwood Cemetery. Eleven British, Canadians, and Americans remain there, re-interred in 1924 at a Commonwealth War Graves Commission cemetery in Greeenwood Memorial Park, 3100 White Settlement Road, Fort Worth. Also interred there is one of their comrades who died in 1975, and the daughter of a Canadian instructor who died as a baby in 1918. A stone monument serves as a focal point on Memorial Day in May of odd-numbered years, when friends of the cemetery support a moving Remembrance Service, at which people from the three nations remember the sacrifice of those buried there. This Fourth of July, as we get ready to celebrate with friends and family, these two groups along with Rally Up Texas, a Texas based motorcycle group will ride to remember those who have gone on before us and paid the ultimate price to ensure our Liberty, and the freedoms that we enjoy today. There is a bond that only those who have answered the call, and served this country through their service in the military, can truly know and feel. These men and women share that bond with their brothers and sisters across the ocean and come the Fourth, will stand tall and silent for those who no longer can. |