3100 miles as tailgunner on platoon 6 of 7. Between 300 and 800 bikes in front of me as I helped herd 'cats' across the country. The participants all started out anxious, the repeat 'offenders' fell into the familiar accepted roles and the newbies (FNG's) tried to find their comfort zones. Interesting to watch and experience these searches for the individual comfort zone(s). Some FNG's listen intently, some FNG's just don't listen. Some FNG's talk intently, some FNG's would rather argue than assimilate. Some FNG's just know better than any and every one that has gone before. Group dynamics. They'll be old hands at this by Run's end and even older hands by next year's Run.
We are all Brothers, Brother-Vets, Brother-bikers, Brother-patriots, Brother-Americans, etc. However to each his own, his own method of accepting the mission (and don't get this wrong, this is a mission!)his own way of dealing with being part of something bigger, his own desire to eke out something just his from the Run, his own realization that the Brothers will not let him distract from the message, the mission, the cause.
All Gave Some, Some Gave All- some never came home, some are still unaccounted for-some haunt some of us from behind The Wall. Should have been me....could have been me....glad it wasn't me....wish I knew you better....wish I didn't know you so well....If only I had....I'm glad I didn't....I'm so sorry that you're not here with us, but you are ever here with us.
