Tribute To The Troops Ride In North Carolina
Photos:
Left–Tribute To The Troops show their heartfelt gratitude for the sacrifice of a fallen soldier in a family dedication ceremony. Below–Statesville native Rockie Lynne, singer/songwriter Photos by Janet Harriman
By Janet Harriman Music stirs people into motion. Consider the power in the abbreviated lyrics of the song “Home” below. When heard, this patriotic anthem is sure to move you, too. “Eighteen and called for duty God and country and fellow man Beaches made for beauty Are covered with bloody grains of sand Mothers hide your children There’s danger in this land And Father, please forgive me For I know not who I am Fly home, my sweet angel From sea to shining sea Fly home, my sweet angel Won’t you fly on home to me” Tribute To The Troops was inspired and organized in Minnesota. A video featured the song “Home” written by country artist and Statesville native, Rockie Lynne. It depicted images of our fallen heroes, beginning with the lives lost during the United States’ presence in Iraq. A small group of 60 Minnesotans, on 45 motorcycles, joined together to conduct the first Tribute To The Troops Ride in the fall of 2004. The entourage visited the families of three fallen soldiers to convey thanks to each family and to assure them that 16
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their loss and sacrifice would never be forgotten. Each participant personally acknowledged the loss of the families’ beloved soldiers. “We took them a flag in a case and we hugged them,” Rockie said. “We went there and just hugged them. It was all these people going up to the families and telling them that they care. It was an unbelievable watershed of emotion. They thanked us, but we were there to thank them.” Lynne co-founded this organization and is also the national spokesperson. Mission Statement. Tribute To The Troops is an organization of grateful Americans dedicated to preserving the memory of those men and women of our military who lost their lives while bravely protecting our freedom. It is in their memory that we honor and convey our heartfelt gratitude to family and friends left behind and extend our sincere appreciation to all veterans who have served, whether in war or in peace. Tribute To The Troops North Carolina Chapter began building membership and organizing motorcycle brigades in 2012. Tribute To The Troops has also established chapters in Illinois and Oregon.
Make a difference in the lives of military families and their children! The 2013 Tribute To The Troops North Carolina Motorcycle Ride is scheduled to roll October 19 – 20 from Tilley HarleyDavidson in Statesville. For information and registration details visit www.TributeToTheTroops.org and click on Chapter Sites and then North Carolina. Saturday evening’s ride ends with dinner and a concert featuring Rockie Lynne at Richard’s Coffee Shop in Mooresville. The Sunday afternoon ride finishes at Di'Lishi Frozen Yogurt Bar in Statesville. Join them at 4:00 pm to welcome the riders home and enjoy a cool yogurt treat. Remember to vote for Tribute To The Troops inside Di’Lishi– they award quarterly donations to the organization with the most spoon votes! Ride to experience what Rockie knows: “Tribute To The Troops is the worst possible way to meet the greatest people.” Tribute To The Troops® is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Tribute To The Troops established the Fallen Hero’s Children’s Education Fund to provide financial assistance to the surviving children of our fallen heroes to be used to defray the costs of post-secondary education. We strongly believe that these children should have the opportunity to pursue the career or vocation of their choice after high school, and that the loss of a parent should not inhibit their ability to follow their dreams. Since the inception of the Fund, we have contributed over $230,000, which directly benefits the surviving children.