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Jeff, Debbie,
Myself(Sergeant Brian Chipman), Sergeant First
Class Jesse Noles, and Private Sean McKelvey
would all like to extend our deepest thanks to all of
you! We all had an amazing weekend. The level of
appreciation for the military was simply
unparalelled! We truly felt welcome and
appreciated, and definitely left with a huge sense of
pride. It was a great opportunity to have some fun,
and meet some of the coolest guys Ive ever had the
privilage to talk to.
I never realized such a huge portion of the biker
community were veterans. I felt honored to meet
some truly great heroes. Again, we thank you for the
entire experience, both of you are truly outstanding
people. If you guys decide to hold a similar event
next year, please let us know. Us three will not be
here, we will be in Iraq, but I can give you contact
information for one of our soldiers who will be here
and able to coordinate anything you need.
Thank you!
SGT Chipman, Brian D
Team Sergeant
C Troop 1-82 CAV
Myself(Sergeant Brian Chipman), Sergeant First
Class Jesse Noles, and Private Sean McKelvey
would all like to extend our deepest thanks to all of
you! We all had an amazing weekend. The level of
appreciation for the military was simply
unparalelled! We truly felt welcome and
appreciated, and definitely left with a huge sense of
pride. It was a great opportunity to have some fun,
and meet some of the coolest guys Ive ever had the
privilage to talk to.
I never realized such a huge portion of the biker
community were veterans. I felt honored to meet
some truly great heroes. Again, we thank you for the
entire experience, both of you are truly outstanding
people. If you guys decide to hold a similar event
next year, please let us know. Us three will not be
here, we will be in Iraq, but I can give you contact
information for one of our soldiers who will be here
and able to coordinate anything you need.
Thank you!
SGT Chipman, Brian D
Team Sergeant
C Troop 1-82 CAV
Operation Gratitude in the minds and hearts of our citizens and to ensure that their support remained strong for my fellow brothers
and sisters in uniform. Upon arrival Friday evening I was amazed at the great venue that you had selected and the organized setup
of the vendors. The fairgrounds was a much larger venue than I had anticipated and was I pleasantly surprised by the magnitude of
your event. Meeting your staff, I was impressed by their professionalism but more importantly that they all knew all about me and
Operation Gratitude. I credit you in educating and informing those involved in your event that the Salute to not just about a weekend
gathering of motorcycle enthusiasts but also about participating in a course that was and is important to so many great people
across the country..paying tribute to the many veterans who have served in the past and also supporting those that serve today in
such a dangerous time. As the weekend progressed many participants and vendors alike asked what they could do to help show
their support. Participants contributed financially and vendors donated items or inquired about donating large quantities of items for
inclusion in our next package shipment. As a soldier I came away from your event with a great sense of pride and privilege that I
was able to experience the participant’s gratitude for my service to our country; their enthusiasm encourages me to continue to serve
those great citizens. Additionally the comments are ones that I will share with my soldiers still in Iraq and relay to them that the great
people here at home DO SUPPORT THEM. Most importantly it is great people such as you and Debbie upon whom Operation
Gratitude continues to count to keep support strong. Upon my return on Monday I wrote Carolyn describing the event as one of the
best that I have ever attended and insisting that we should plan to attend next year’s event with more volunteers and participation in
promoting the Rally. Jeff and Debbie – I fully comprehend the enormity of undertaking an event such as yours; the first one might be
a trial run, but the reward comes from knowing that you have brought together a community – Tulelake, the City Council, the Tulelake
Police Department including Chief of Police, Tony Ross, Officer Adan Cardona, Officer Randy Anderson and community volunteers
Sue Farthing. All of you came together for a cause bigger than yourselves and made a difference for veterans and soldiers serving
today. I look forward to attending the 2009 event and will plan for more participation from Operation Gratitude and its great
volunteers as well as military soldiers returning from Iraq.
In greatest appreciation
SSG Elizabeth Cowie
and sisters in uniform. Upon arrival Friday evening I was amazed at the great venue that you had selected and the organized setup
of the vendors. The fairgrounds was a much larger venue than I had anticipated and was I pleasantly surprised by the magnitude of
your event. Meeting your staff, I was impressed by their professionalism but more importantly that they all knew all about me and
Operation Gratitude. I credit you in educating and informing those involved in your event that the Salute to not just about a weekend
gathering of motorcycle enthusiasts but also about participating in a course that was and is important to so many great people
across the country..paying tribute to the many veterans who have served in the past and also supporting those that serve today in
such a dangerous time. As the weekend progressed many participants and vendors alike asked what they could do to help show
their support. Participants contributed financially and vendors donated items or inquired about donating large quantities of items for
inclusion in our next package shipment. As a soldier I came away from your event with a great sense of pride and privilege that I
was able to experience the participant’s gratitude for my service to our country; their enthusiasm encourages me to continue to serve
those great citizens. Additionally the comments are ones that I will share with my soldiers still in Iraq and relay to them that the great
people here at home DO SUPPORT THEM. Most importantly it is great people such as you and Debbie upon whom Operation
Gratitude continues to count to keep support strong. Upon my return on Monday I wrote Carolyn describing the event as one of the
best that I have ever attended and insisting that we should plan to attend next year’s event with more volunteers and participation in
promoting the Rally. Jeff and Debbie – I fully comprehend the enormity of undertaking an event such as yours; the first one might be
a trial run, but the reward comes from knowing that you have brought together a community – Tulelake, the City Council, the Tulelake
Police Department including Chief of Police, Tony Ross, Officer Adan Cardona, Officer Randy Anderson and community volunteers
Sue Farthing. All of you came together for a cause bigger than yourselves and made a difference for veterans and soldiers serving
today. I look forward to attending the 2009 event and will plan for more participation from Operation Gratitude and its great
volunteers as well as military soldiers returning from Iraq.
In greatest appreciation
SSG Elizabeth Cowie
2009
Hi All,
I have been wanting to send you all a summary of the Bike Rally ever
since I got home, but have been swamped trying to catch up; but also feel
that I could never do justice to the experience.
Briefly tho--it was absolutely great! I beg all of you to try to attend next year.
I believe Jeff and Debbie have created something that will grow and
flourish, and our connection and involvement in it is at the heart of their
vision.
On top of everything else, I may have even gotten hooked on riding
motorcycles (it was my first time and loved it). Not so sure that's a real
smart idea for a 54-something, but hey...
The best part of the event (aside from the very loving and supportive
people) was the traveling Memorial Wall--I have not been to the real Wall
in DC, so this was very special for me. In addition, the organization,
American Veterans Traveling Tribute (AVTT) has created a beautiful tribute
(gold dog-tags inlaid in marble in raised display cases) to the fallen of
Iraq-Afghanistan--something that does not exist anywhere else that I am
aware of. Sadly, I knew way too many names on this tribute (and found
all), but was enormously grateful for the opportunity to pay respects.
We did a 30 mile or so bike ride (with about 100 bikes) escorting the Wall
from Klamath Falls to Tulelake on Thursday--loved riding thru the
countryside and small towns, seeing real Americans come out and show
respect: waving flags, saluting). I felt like we were in a movie. On Sunday,
we held a bike blessing (by the Christian Motorcycle Assn) and a beautiful
memorial service outdoors in front of the Traveling Tribute. At the end we
all touched a name on the Vietnam Memorial Wall or at the Cost of
Freedom Tribute (I touched Justin Pollard's and Dennis Sellen's dog
tags, and Charles Ramsay's on the Wall) and said a prayer. Then we did
a bike procession past the Wall (I rode with the deputy sheriff of Yreka)
and then a bike parade thru Tulelake. I cried so much. At the service, a
Vietnam POW for 8 years, who was in the cell next to John McCain for a
year, spoke. I have never felt so honored to be in someone's presence,
especially surrounded by our fallen warriors. I now know the real
meaning of "being in the company of heroes."
I hope to get more pictures soon (there was a full-time photographer and
videographer on site), but you can see a few preliminaries on Liz Cowie's
Facebook Page, and I have attached a few here.
I hope you will try to join us next year!
Love, Carolyn Blashek
Hi All,
I have been wanting to send you all a summary of the Bike Rally ever
since I got home, but have been swamped trying to catch up; but also feel
that I could never do justice to the experience.
Briefly tho--it was absolutely great! I beg all of you to try to attend next year.
I believe Jeff and Debbie have created something that will grow and
flourish, and our connection and involvement in it is at the heart of their
vision.
On top of everything else, I may have even gotten hooked on riding
motorcycles (it was my first time and loved it). Not so sure that's a real
smart idea for a 54-something, but hey...
The best part of the event (aside from the very loving and supportive
people) was the traveling Memorial Wall--I have not been to the real Wall
in DC, so this was very special for me. In addition, the organization,
American Veterans Traveling Tribute (AVTT) has created a beautiful tribute
(gold dog-tags inlaid in marble in raised display cases) to the fallen of
Iraq-Afghanistan--something that does not exist anywhere else that I am
aware of. Sadly, I knew way too many names on this tribute (and found
all), but was enormously grateful for the opportunity to pay respects.
We did a 30 mile or so bike ride (with about 100 bikes) escorting the Wall
from Klamath Falls to Tulelake on Thursday--loved riding thru the
countryside and small towns, seeing real Americans come out and show
respect: waving flags, saluting). I felt like we were in a movie. On Sunday,
we held a bike blessing (by the Christian Motorcycle Assn) and a beautiful
memorial service outdoors in front of the Traveling Tribute. At the end we
all touched a name on the Vietnam Memorial Wall or at the Cost of
Freedom Tribute (I touched Justin Pollard's and Dennis Sellen's dog
tags, and Charles Ramsay's on the Wall) and said a prayer. Then we did
a bike procession past the Wall (I rode with the deputy sheriff of Yreka)
and then a bike parade thru Tulelake. I cried so much. At the service, a
Vietnam POW for 8 years, who was in the cell next to John McCain for a
year, spoke. I have never felt so honored to be in someone's presence,
especially surrounded by our fallen warriors. I now know the real
meaning of "being in the company of heroes."
I hope to get more pictures soon (there was a full-time photographer and
videographer on site), but you can see a few preliminaries on Liz Cowie's
Facebook Page, and I have attached a few here.
I hope you will try to join us next year!
Love, Carolyn Blashek
I got a letter in a care package that wound up in Joint Base Balad (about 50 miles or so north of Bagdad) during the Christmas
Season 2008. The letter was from you, and told about a motorcycle rally, "The Shasta Salute to America Motorcycle Rally" that
honored the Freedom to ride, and those that protected that freedom. The event was a great success, and you sent along a whole
bunch of love from Ms. Blashek, Liz Cowie (SSG), the OPGrat volunteers, and you and your crew.
Well, EzJ, I kept that letter, and then I lost it for a while, but I'm pleased to say that I found it again, while I was unpacking one of the
boxes I sent home before we left Country. That's right, before we left country, because we are home now, safe and sound, and
we brought back everyone in the Battalion to boot. We had some casualties, but even they didn't get hit too badly, and will still be
able to enjoy full, productive lives... One of the amazing parts of this deployment was all of the letters and cards we received - in
fact, that's what I'm doing, going through all of the letters that I kept, and getting ready to send thank you notes to everybody I can
find an address for.
But you, my friend, represent a slice of America that has always held a warm spot in my soul. Bikers...
I haven't known but a few actual bikers, but when those iron horses thunder down the road, straight pipes blasting out that anthem
that only a Harley can deliver, well, it's hard not to be a little whistful, and wish I could fall in with that pack, hitting the open road,
sharing in the wild times, enjoying the freedom that can only be found on the back of a bike.
I've stood the line with the Patriots Guard, and escorted a Marine to his Final Resting Place, standing shoulder to shoulder with
burly men in beards, their jackets proclaiming their participation in combat actions I had only read about when I was a kid. I fell in
behind the long line of bikes when we rolled out, driving my cage (at least it's an American brand truck), and felt, for a few minutes,
the brotherhood that bonds you men and women who have given the rest of the world the finger and lived life under your own
terms - Yeah, you've got jobs and bills and the same crap as everyone else, but when you can take that bike out and hit the road,
man, it sets you apart...
It would be nice to think that we were all saints, but the fact is that bikers and infantrymen enjoy a reputation for being a little
"rough" but still.. and they've proven to have hearts of gold... Good folk all around, and closer to being kindred spirits than most...
Same-same with a fellow who rumbles up on his HAWG, his "ol lady" on the back... Man, that's living...
Anyway, I wanted to send you a huge thanks for the events you put together, and the personal thoughts you sent along from
yourself and your amigos. We appreciate them all, and I wanted you to know that they mean a whole lot to us.
Someday I'll find me a bike, whether it's a basket case I need to put together myself, or (Gawd forbid!) I actually put money and
finance the danged thing, and I'll motor on down South, where you can ride year round, with my best girl on the back, and swing by
to thank you and your team in person.
Thanks for supporting us, EzJ... It makes it easier to get the job done when you know there are folks out there that give a damn...
Sincerely, Bill
"Gramps"
Marine tough, Army strong!
Season 2008. The letter was from you, and told about a motorcycle rally, "The Shasta Salute to America Motorcycle Rally" that
honored the Freedom to ride, and those that protected that freedom. The event was a great success, and you sent along a whole
bunch of love from Ms. Blashek, Liz Cowie (SSG), the OPGrat volunteers, and you and your crew.
Well, EzJ, I kept that letter, and then I lost it for a while, but I'm pleased to say that I found it again, while I was unpacking one of the
boxes I sent home before we left Country. That's right, before we left country, because we are home now, safe and sound, and
we brought back everyone in the Battalion to boot. We had some casualties, but even they didn't get hit too badly, and will still be
able to enjoy full, productive lives... One of the amazing parts of this deployment was all of the letters and cards we received - in
fact, that's what I'm doing, going through all of the letters that I kept, and getting ready to send thank you notes to everybody I can
find an address for.
But you, my friend, represent a slice of America that has always held a warm spot in my soul. Bikers...
I haven't known but a few actual bikers, but when those iron horses thunder down the road, straight pipes blasting out that anthem
that only a Harley can deliver, well, it's hard not to be a little whistful, and wish I could fall in with that pack, hitting the open road,
sharing in the wild times, enjoying the freedom that can only be found on the back of a bike.
I've stood the line with the Patriots Guard, and escorted a Marine to his Final Resting Place, standing shoulder to shoulder with
burly men in beards, their jackets proclaiming their participation in combat actions I had only read about when I was a kid. I fell in
behind the long line of bikes when we rolled out, driving my cage (at least it's an American brand truck), and felt, for a few minutes,
the brotherhood that bonds you men and women who have given the rest of the world the finger and lived life under your own
terms - Yeah, you've got jobs and bills and the same crap as everyone else, but when you can take that bike out and hit the road,
man, it sets you apart...
It would be nice to think that we were all saints, but the fact is that bikers and infantrymen enjoy a reputation for being a little
"rough" but still.. and they've proven to have hearts of gold... Good folk all around, and closer to being kindred spirits than most...
Same-same with a fellow who rumbles up on his HAWG, his "ol lady" on the back... Man, that's living...
Anyway, I wanted to send you a huge thanks for the events you put together, and the personal thoughts you sent along from
yourself and your amigos. We appreciate them all, and I wanted you to know that they mean a whole lot to us.
Someday I'll find me a bike, whether it's a basket case I need to put together myself, or (Gawd forbid!) I actually put money and
finance the danged thing, and I'll motor on down South, where you can ride year round, with my best girl on the back, and swing by
to thank you and your team in person.
Thanks for supporting us, EzJ... It makes it easier to get the job done when you know there are folks out there that give a damn...
Sincerely, Bill
"Gramps"
Marine tough, Army strong!
