on Friday; 5th January 2007
2007 Torches Across America 9/11 Memorial
Motorcycle Ride schedule
Hi Everyone here is what I have of the 2007 ride schedule so far.
The ride officially starts on the morning of Saturday September 1, 2007. My wife and I will be arriving in Oceanside and staying at the San Marcos Ramada Limited from August 29th through September 1st
Please make all your motel reservations as soon as possible to lock these prices in, even if your not sure your going to be on the ride. You can always cancel them later if you can not make the ride. A lot of these motels fill up early and remember the starting of the ride is on Labor Day weekend.
San Marcos, CA; The Ramada Limited, 517 San Marcos Blvd., San Marcos CA 92069, is where my wife and I will be staying. Rooms for1 to 2 people $59.99 plus tax and rooms for 2 to 4 people $99.99 plus tax. Their phone number is (760) 471-2800. I could never get a hold of the manager but the desk clerk told me this would be the price. You better make your reservation early while the price is still on their mind. I went through www.allstays.com to make my reservations. If you are trying to get a room for 2 to 4 people Allstays does not show one.
August 31, 2007
Mike Mohn has set up a TAA Riders dinner for the evening of Friday, August 31, 2007 6:30 pm at Pat & Oscars Restaurant on Los Posas Rd. in San Marcos, CA.
If you would like to be there please come.
September 1, 2007
Saturday, September 1st; which is (Labor Day weekend) leave from Kennedy’s Custom Cycle in Oceanside, CA and ride to Kingman, AZ. 379 miles
Please remember we lose one hour of travel time on this days ride because of time the change.
8:00am; the Memorial Service and blessing of the bikes will start at Kennedy’s Custom Cycles, 3028 San Louis Rey Rd, Oceanside, CA 92054, (760) 967-5883. Our host in Oceanside is Bill Kennedy and some CMA members working with Bill..
9:00am; we will leave from Kennedy’s Custom Cycles and ride to Victorville, CA.
11:30am; we will arrive at Victorville Harley-Davidson,14522 Valley Center Dr., Victorville, CA 92392, (760) 951-1119, for a Memorial Service and Lunch. Our host in Victorville is Cary & Marianne Fisher owners of Victorville Harley-Davidson. This ride means a lot to Cary because he is a retired firefighter from NYC.
1:00pm; we will leave from Victorville Harley-Davidson and ride to Kingman, AZ.
6:30pm; we will arrive at the Kingman, AZ VFW Post 10386. Located at 2985 E. John L. Ave, Kingman, AZ 86409, (928) 757 - 7192, for a Memorial Service and Dinner. We will pay for our own dinners. Our host in Kingnam is the Kingman VFW Post 10386. Great people, 2006 year was the first year they hosted us and they only had a couple of weeks to put it together.
The evening of September 1, 2007.
Kingman, AZ. The Travelodge, 3275 E Andy Devine Ave., Kingman, AZ 86401, is where my wife and I will be staying. Rooms 1 to 2 people $50.00 plus tax and rooms for 2 to 4 people $60.00 plus tax. Their phone number is (928) 757-1188 and tell them your with the Torches Across America 9/11 Memorial Motorcycle Ride. If you have any problems making your reservation ask for Carol, she is the manager. They fill up on Labor Day weekend so make your reservations early.
September 2, 2007
Sunday, September 2nd; we will leave from Kingman, AZ at 7:00am and ride to Albuquerque, NM. 466 miles
3:00pm; everyone needs to be at the TA Truck Stop (Travel Center of America Truck Stop) in Gallup, NM (505) 863-6801. You take Exit 16 off I- 40 east. Turn left when getting off of the exit ramp and as you go up the street the TA Truck Stop is on your right. Riders need to be fueled and ready to go by 3:30 pm.
3:30pm; we will leave from the TA Truck Stop and be escort by Cyber to the Rt. 66 Travel Center/ Casino Exit I- 40 off I - 40.
5:30pm; we will arrive at the Rt.66 Travel Center. Riders need to get fueled and be ready to go by 6:15pm. At this time the Albuquerque, NM Blue Knights VI and Albuquerque Fraternal Order of Police Lodge I, will be our host. They have arranged for the New Mexico State Police to escort us into Albuquerque.
6:15pm; the New Mexico State Police will escort us into Albuquerque. The last couple of year they have escorted us to the Albuquerque Fraternal Order of Police Lodge I. But this year the Lodge might be under new construction so I will let you know later where they are going to escort us two.
7:00pm Memorial Service and Dinner will start. Our host in Albuquerque are the Albuquerque Blue Knights VI, Albuquerque Fraternal Order of Police, Graham Central Station and the Dawn Patrol. All our host in Albuquerque are super and all the riders appreciate them.
The evening of September 2, 2007
Albuquerque, NM; The Comfort Inn, 2015 Menaul NE, Albuquerque, NM 87107
is where my wife and I will be staying. Room with two beds 1 to 4 people $49.00
plus tax. That includes their breakfast of fresh waffles, bagels, toast,
hot/cold cereal, juice and coffee. Their phone number is (505) 881-3210 and tell
them you are with the Torches Across America 9/11 Memorial Motorcycle Ride. Make your reservations early
because the price will go up a few weeks before September 2, 2007. Remember it
is Labor Day weekend. If you
have any problems ask for Fran Manning.
September 3, 2007
Monday, September 3rd; we will leave from Albuquerque, NM and ride to Amarillo TX. 289 miles
Please remember we lose one hour of travel time on this days ride because of time the change.
We will start our day as we did on the 2006 ride. So bring your cameras.
Craig Kennedy said the Dawn Patrol will start setting up their hot air balloons no later then 5:15am and will take to the air at 5:45am. So we will stage at the FOP at 4:30am. We will be escorted at 4:45am to Balloon Park for the "Pre-Dawn Patrol".
What they are doing on the morning of September 4, 2006 is of great significance:
1) They will be doing their version of a candle light visual for all the men, women and children that died on 9/11 and for the men and women in our Armed Forces that have died fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq. When the gas heats up the air inside the balloons the balloons will shine brightly in the skies above Albuquerque.
2) When the morning sun starts to shine it will represent the bright side that always follows a dark moment. Sometimes a dark moment in time can feel like a life time but inevitably the bright side emerges.
On 9/11 America was in the state of shock and despair but during the days after 9/11 that was slowly being uplifted because of the how proud we were of America’s First Call Responders. America became united more so then it ever had been before. That is the bright side of 9/11 and it is all because of America’s First Call Responders.
3) Their taking to the air will be the kick off for all the 9/11 events planned for the State of New Mexico. It will also let every First Call Responder in New Mexico know that Governor Bill Richardson has made 9/11 "First Call Responders Recognition Day" in New Mexico. We hope he will do it again in 2007.
A member of the Albuquerque Aerostat Ascension Association, Kevin Cloney, told me that every year since 9/11 the AAAA has given rides to First Call Responders on the Saturday before 9/11. That is really super of them.
6:30am we will leave Balloon Park and go on a escorted scenic ride to Amarillo TX.
Last year Victor Lioce wanted to take us to the Albuquerque Vietnam Memorial so I am hoping he will offer to do it again this year as part of our scenic route. Victor is a member of the Santa Fe, NM Blue Knights II.
While on the scenic route we will be going through Santa Fe, NM and it is a very beautiful city. Did you know they have an escalator in Santa Fe. Funny thing is, it only goes up. You have to take the stairs to come back down. They have a great Mexican restaurant on that upper floor maybe we can eat lunch there.
We have no set time to be in Amarillo, TX. We can all eat dinner at the famous “The Big Texan Steak Ranch Restaurant” in Amarillo, TX. The time will be decided on when we arrive in Amarillo.
The evening of September 3, 2007
Amarillo, TX. The Holiday Inn, 1911 I - 40 East, Amarillo, TX 79102 is where we will be staying. The room rate is 1 to 4 people $52.00 plus tax for the night of September 3, 2007. You must have your reservations made by August 31, 2007 in order to get this rate. Their phone number is (806) 372 - 8741 and tell them your with the Torches Across America 9/11 Memorial Motorcycle Ride. Even if you do not know if your going to be able to make the ride make reservations because you can always cancel them.
September 4, 2007
Tuesday, September 4th; 7:30am we will leave the Amarillo Holiday Inn escorted by Joe Sewell.
Arrive at the Flying J Truck Stop at 12:30pm for lunch. It is on I - 40 East Exit 140.
1:30pm we will leave the Flying J Truck Stop escorted by some of the Oklahoma City Police Motorcycle Squad to the Federal Building in Oklahoma City. We will arrive at the Federal Building around 1:45pm.
4:00pm we will leave the Federal Building and Joe is going to take us up old Route 66 to the American Legion Post 308 in Tulsa, OK. We will be stopping for fuel in Stroud OK.
7:00pm arrive at the Tulsa, OK, American Legion Post 308.
The evening of September 4, 2007
Tulsa, OK The Econo Lodge, 11629 E. Skelly Dr., Tulsa, OK 74128 is where my wife and I will be staying. Room with queen or double bed 1 or 2 persons $45.00 plus tax. Room with King size bed 1 or 2 persons $50.00 plus tax. Room with two beds for 1or 4 persons $54.00 plus tax. Their phone number is (918) 437 - 9200 and tell them your with the Torches Across America 9/11 Memorial Motorcycle Ride. Make your reservation early.
September 5, 2007
September 5, 2007
Wednesday September 5th; we will leave Tulsa, OK and ride to Branson, MO. 226 miles
We might be riding to Branson on a scenic route, will let you know later. I need to ride it to see how long it will take.
There are six cities in the Branson, MO area that have made 9/11 a Recognition Day for their cities First Call Responders and by us coming to the Branson Lakes Area we will help get their communities ready for it.
Bart Rockett is dedicating his show to the areas First call Responders and Armed Forces members. Not long after Branson passed the resolution making 9/11 a Recognition Day for their cities First Call Responders Bart Rockett dedicated a show for them and when I asked if he would do it again he said yes.
When we arrive in Branson on September 5, 2007 we will start our afternoon at Ride The Ducks. We will go for a Duck tour of Branson at 5:00pm.
After the ride we will all go to Danns BBQ for dinner.
7:30pm is the starting of the 9/11 Memorial Service at the Bart Rockett Theater with the Torches Across America Riders and area First Call Responders and Armed Forces members.
I am inviting the Honor Guard from the Kimberling City American Legion Post 637, Color Guard form the Collage of the Ozarks, the mayors from each of the cities in this area that have passed the resolution making 9/11 a "Recognition Day" for their cities First Call Responders, Dennis Wood are Missouri State Representative, Missouri Governor Matt Blunt and all the wonderful special people from this area that have helped me for the past few years to put Torches Across America together. They are truly great people and I want you to meet them all.
8:00pm the Bart Rocket show will start.
Ticket price for the Bart Rockett Show is $10.00 per person plus tax for TAA riders. I do ask that if you go to the show please bring one can food item for a donation. It is not mandatory but it would be nice.
Bart Rockett is dedicating his show to the areas First call Responders and Armed Forces members. Not long after Branson passed the resolution making 9/11 a Recognition Day for their cities First Call Responders Bart Rockett dedicated a show for them and when I asked if he would do it again he said yes.
During the week of 9/11starting on Wednesday September 5th thur Tuseday September 11, 2007 all Americas First Call Responders are invited to the Bart Rockett Show at the Bart Rockett Theater for only $10.00 per person plus tax. That is a great savings because full price for an adult ticket is $30.75. All a First Call Responder has to do to get the discount is to show his or hers badge.
I thank Bart Rockett so much for doing this for us. Not long after Branson, Missouri passed a resolution making 9/11 a Recognition Day for their cities First Call Responders Bart Rockett dedicated a show for the whole areas First Call Responders. Folks that takes in Stone and Taney counties and folks thats a lot of First Call Responders.
Please call the Bart Rockett Theater now and make your reservation for the show. Even if you do not know if you can make the ride, make your reservations because you might not get a seat later. You can always cancel them if you can not make the ride. The number for the Bart Rockett Theater is ((417) 348-0888 and tell them your with the Torches Across America Ride.
Events to happen in the BRANSON, Mo area for America's First Call Responders during the week of September 5th through 11th 2007.
The evening of September 5, 2007
Branson, MO; The Fiddlers
Inn, 3522 W. HWY. 76, Branson, MO 65616 is where my wife and I will be staying.
Rooms for 1 to 2 people $36.00 plus tax. Rooms for more than 2 people but not
more than 4 people is the base price of $36.00 plus tax and $5.00 plus tax for
each additional person. Their phone number is 1-800-544-6483 and tell them your
with Torches Across America. Make your
reservation early because this is a tourist town. If you have any problems ask for Bill
Hart.
September 6, 2007
Thursday, September 6th; we will leave from Branson, MO and ride to Troy, IL. 276 miles
We have changed the final fuel stop and rally point for you all in Missouri. The fuel stop will be at exit 274, Bowles st exit. The rally point will be the Quick Trip gas station. There is also a Phillips that has 93% octane for you high tech guys.
Be there NLT 4:45 pm on the 6th and ready to move out at 5:15PM. Butch Clemings will meet you there and escort you all through St. Louis and then join up with the group over in Illinois and into Troy.
Roger Alons
Troy, Illinois VFW Post Commander
4:30 to 5:00pm we will meet at a prearranged location on the west side of St. Louis, MO for an escorted ride by the Missouri State Highway Patrol to the Illinois state line. We will then be escorted by the Illinois State Police to the first exit in Illinois so we can join up with other riders from the area before being escorted to Troy, Il Civic Park for a Memorial Service and Dinner hosted by the Troy, Il VFW Post 976.
7:00 the Memorial Service will start at Civic Park followed by a dinner and a band..
The City of Troy, Il and other area cities and organizations around Troy have join together in honoring their cities First Call Responders and Armed Forces members. (Go to the “Thank You” page on the www.torchesacrossamerica.com web site and you can see who helped with the Memorial Service and Dinner last year in Troy.
This is the biggest Memorial Service and Dinner put together by a city we stop at on our way to the east coast. When you experience this Memorial Service and Dinner you can see why they say mid America is the heart land of America.
They are real super people and were blessed to have them. Our host in Troy, Il is the Troy VFW Post 976 and many others. Roger Alons a member of the Troy VFW Post 976 works very hard to get all these people together to put this event on.
Please go to the “Photos” page on the www.torchesacrossamerica.com web site and see the pictures taken in Troy. It will give you a warm feeling inside.
The evening of September 6, 2007
Troy, IL; The Super 8 Motel, 910 Edwardsville Rd., Troy, IL 62294, is where my wife and I will be staying. Rooms for1 to 2 people $56.88 plus tax and rooms for 2 to 4 people $61.88 plus tax. Their phone number is (618) 667-8888 and tell them your with the Torches Across America 9/11 Memorial Motorcycle Ride. If you have any trouble making your reservation ask for Priti, She is the owner. They fill up so make your reservations early.
September 7, 2007
Friday, September 7th; we will leave Troy, IL and ride to Cambridge, OH. 483 miles
Please remember we lose one hour of travel time on this days ride because of time the change.
6:00am to 7:00am breakfast at the Troy, IL VFW 976.
7:00am leave the VFW and ride to the Love’s Truck Stop on the east side of Zanesville, OH and be there by 6:30pm. It is on I - 70 East Exit 160.
7:00pm; we will have an escorted ride into Cambridge, OH and arrive at Wal-Mart in Cambridge, OH, 61216 Southgate Parkway, Cambridge, OH 43725. The phone number is (740)439-5743
Riders & Escorts will meet the Torches Across America riders @ LOVE's Truck Stop ( Exit 160; I-70 {5:30 pm ~ 6:30 pm} ). Tenatively, the escort wishes to depart at 6:30 pm to head to Cambridge, Ohio ( Exit 178; I-70 ) for the planned events / festivities.
Coordinated efforts by:
Dave Cavendish [ Ohio Patriot Riders ]
Phone #: 740-404-2256 [ Cell ]
Donna Rush [ a Holiday Inn Manager ]
Phone #: 740-826-4017 [Home]
Phone #: 740-432-7313 [Work]
7:30pm; Mayor/City Council's Fire/Police festivities start. There will be things to eat after the Festivities.
This is the second biggest Memorial Service put together by a city we stop at on our way to the east coast. You can tell were still in the heart land of America during this cities Memorial Service and Recognition to its areas First Call Responders and Armed Forces members.
Our hosts last year in Cambridge, OH was the Holiday Inn, Wal-Mart, Dunning Motor Sales, Free Mason's of OH, Speedy Print and Xango and it was organized by Dana Rush, Sales Director of the Cambridge Holiday Inn.
The evening of September 7, 2007
Cambridge, OH The Holiday Inn 2248 Southgate Parkway Cambridge, OH 43725 is where my wife and I will be staying. Room for 1 to 4 people $59.00 plus tax. It includes a hot breakfast and coffee. Their phone number is (740)432-7313 and tell them your with the Torches Across America 9/11 Memorial Motorcycle Ride.
September 8, 2007
Saturday,September 8th; we will leave Cambridge, OH and ride to Washington DC. 340 miles
As of now what my plans are, is that when we arrive in Washington DC we will go straight to Walter Reed Army Medical Center. I will tell you the time later.
The evening of September 8, 2007
The Vienna Wolf Trap Motel, 430 Maple Avenue West, Vienna, Virginia 22180 is where my wife and I will be staying at. Room for 1 to 2 people $63.00 plus tax, 3 people $68.00 plus tax and four people $73.00 plus tax. Their phone number is (703) 281-2330 and tell them your with the Torches Across America Ride. If you have any problems ask for the Manager and his name is Rod Price. Please make your reservation early.
September 9, 2007
7:30 pm leave from the Vienna Wolf Trap Motel in Vienna, Virginia at 7:30 am and ride to the Pentagon.
9:00 am and ride to Jersey City. We will be arriving at the Hoboken MC Club House at around 3:30pm.
5;00 pm leave the Hoboken MC Club House and ride the slow train to Liberty State Park Marina and board a ferry to NYC to visit Ground Zero.
We will then return to the Hoboken MC Club House and ride to our Motel in Secaucus NJ.
This 'WAS' the previous wording for Sept 9th:
{ We will leave from Washington DC. and ride to New York City. 224 miles
On Sunday morning we will start off our day joining Rex Howke and the "9-11 Rattle the Runway Ride" and ride from the Dulles International Airport to the Pentagon for a Memorial Service. I will tell you the time later.
After the “9-11 Rattle the Runway Ride” we will go see the Pentagon then head for NYC.
This year we are going to ride into the city. When we did the TAA ride in 2002 we rode the ferry into NYC. At the last part of the 2006 TAA ride there was a riders meeting in Bedford, PA and the riders said they would like to ride the ferry into NYC on the 2007 TAA ride. At this time I am trying to set everything up. }
The evening of September 9, 2007
The Red Roof Inn, 15 Meadowland PKWY, Secaucus, New Jersey 07094 is where my wife and I will be staying at. Room for 1 to 2 people $69.99 plus tax. Their phone number is (201) 319-1000 and tell them your with the Torches Across America Ride. They have it under block # b150001732. Get your rooms as soon as possible because they do fill up early.
September 10, 2007
Monday, September 10th; We will leave from New Jersey and ride to Somerset, PA and have dinner in Somerset with a new host. I will let you know the time later. 303 miles
Peter Torchia & Pam Waller were on the ride last year and Peter is helping us get a host in Somerset this year. Peter grew up in this part of Pennsylvania and knows a lot of people in the area. When Peter tells me the plans for Somerset I will let you know.
The evening[s] of September 10th & September 11th, 2007
Somerset, PA; The Day’s
Inn, 220 Waterworks Rd., Somerset, PA 15501 is where my wife and I will be
staying. Room with 1 to 4 people $49.99 plus tax. Their phone number is (814)
445-9200 and tell them your with Torches Across America. Make your reservations early because the price will go up a few
weeks before 9/11 because other 9/11 rides are going to be staying in
Somerset. If you have any
problems ask for Laurie. My wife will be staying there for the evenings of
September 10 and 11, 2007.
September 11, 2007
Tuesday, September 11th; The Pride will escort us from our motel at 7:30 am and we will arrive at the Flight 93 Memorial Chapel at 8:00 am for breakfast.
9:00 am biker prayer.
10:00am 9/11 Memorial Services with bell ringing for flight 93 victims
Between 12:00 pm and 12;30 pm connect with the 911 Memorial Run and ride to crash site 93 together.
After the "Memorial Services & Flt-93 Crash site" are over on September 11th that will be the end of the ride. My wife and I will spend the night at the same motel we stayed in on the evening of September 10th in Somerset, PA.