.rp64

gallery

Some of you met my friend John in a previous post. We made John an honorary member of our HOG (Harley Owners Group) Chapter and got him a bunch of t-shirts and baseball caps. He was tickled to death and wore a Harley t shirt over his Hospital gown constantly. One or more of our Group would make it a point to stop in and see him at least every couple of days (I made sure to stop in at least twice a week personally). When the Harley 105th Aniversary rolled around some of the celebration occured at Miller Park (Home of the Brewers). The VA Hospital and Woods National Cemetary are adjacent to Miller Park so John was able to sit by his window or out in front of the Hospital and watch the bikes go by. On Thursday the 28th of August, the night of the biggest festival at Miller Park we were able to get a bike with sidecar (John was by then to weak to hold on anymore) and take him for a run through the parking lot so he could see all the bikes and bikers up close and personal. He beamed the whole way, riding proud in his Harley T-shirt. I wanted a picture, but John refused...he was to embarrased by his physical condition. We rode him around for about 30 minutes and then took him back. John died in his sleep 6 days later on Wed, Sept 3rd. His daughter called me the next morning and broke the news. His final preperations had already been made, the funeral was held on Monday the 8th. True to our word we escorted the procession on our bikes, 4 of us in a flying wedge with the 5th spot vacant for our missing man. This shot is from Woods National Cemetery, John was laid to rest here. I did not wish to intrude on the families grief by asking to post photo's of the procession or his actual marker, nor am I sure I want to, for they are very personal markers of my own...but I have them and may someday reach that point. Thank you to everyone who has kept John in their prayers these last couple of months and who have taken the time to drop me line and inquire as to his health. He is at ease now.