Thursday, May 17, 2012
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Last Updated on Sunday, 19 February 2012 21:42
2012 Heroes Highway Ride & Rally
Two weeks ago I was contacted by Edmonton East MP Peter Goldring about the HHR and my availability to participate in an international event happening in the days leading up to the Heroes Highway Ride on Saturday June 2nd.
During my conversation with Mr. Goldring it became evident that I was being offered an opportunity to participate in an event of historic proportions, and that by extension, may bring world wide attention to the HHR. The request was simply to be an ambassador of goodwill and escort a group of made up largely of U.S. Veterans to Parliament Hill for a ceremony taking place on May 31. The event I am referring to is the Ride 2 Remember 2012 (details in the attachment).
The group leading this initiative is the Jewish Motorcycle Alliance an International Motorcycle Group with 47 Chapters in 6 Countries , joined by the M25, a Christian Motorcycle group based in the U.S. are leading the Ride 2 Remember outside the United States for the first time. The purpose of their united trek north is to assemble on Parliament Hill and joined Members of Parliament, make a Pledge of NEVER AGAIN, remembering the Holocaust.I understand that this pledge would be a first by a federal government and thus it’s importance.
I further understand that they are planning extensive public relations campaign and promotion leading up to the Ceremony on Parliament Hill which will generate a significant American and Canadian media attention.
I believe that this extensive media attention in the days before the Heroes Highway Ride and their planned participation in the 2012 HHR will effectively boost the attendance for our event on Saturday June 2nd. A Support the Troops initiative that has seen exponential grow since it’s inception in 2009. Our event in 2012 will start from CFB Trenton and we are honoured and privileged to announce that our Grand Marshall will be Darlene Cushman, mother of Fallen Canadian Forces Trooper Darryl Caswell (June 11, 2007).Trooper Darryl Caswell was taken while riding in a Coyote and hit by IED.
A motorcyc enthusiast, Darryl was told one more ticket and he wouldn’t be able to go serve in Afghanistan, but his goal was to serve as a proud Canadian Forces member, so he gave up his love for speed and focused on the his desire to make difference in Afghanistan.
Darlene had always planned to join her son and share in his enthusiasm for motorcycles but as many of us know life, sometimes can get in the way of our plans and we believe that we will always be do it another day. This was not to be, as an roadside IED ended the dream of Darlene riding with her son, side by side. Darlene, determined to keep her word and follow through with getting her motorcycle licence, took a course a short time after Darryl’s passing so she would be able to share in what was once her sons passion.
When asked to join us, Darlene shared this story with me, I could not feel anything less the the love and compassion for a son that followed a dream to live a bigger life and make a difference to people around the world.
The HHR has always been about Support for the Troops, past and present, the injured and recognizing the sacrifices of the families, of which Darlene knows all to well.
The Heroes Highway Ride and the members of the Perfect Pigs M.C. have receive recognition from the House Of Commons for our fundamental approach to boosting morale and connecting Canadians to the members of the Canadian Forces while raising awareness of the seriousness of Operation Stress Injuries often suffered during missions in theatres of combat and are now showing up in many members of the Canadian Forces that served in the recent combat mission in Afghanistan.
Other enhancements that are in the works, a Royal Canadian Navy ship may be on a summer tour of the Great Lakes and we have been told Toronto will be a Port of Call, a fly-by by CF18’s is also a possibility. We have had conversations with the PM’s office and have been told that Prime Minister Harper and his wife normally travel at the end of Parliament’s sitting, but should they be available, they would be interested in attending at some point during the day. We have requested that the Ontario Regiment and the other Toronto Armouries at Denison, Moss Park and Fort York join the parade ride from Trenton to Toronto as escorts and rear guard, as well as providing static interactive displays at our Rally in conjunction with Op Connect.
“The mission may be over but support for our troops must never wane” is the rally cry of the 2012 Heroes Highway Ride & Rally. From rather humble beginnings in 2009, the Heroes Highway Ride & Rally will have grown to become Canada’s largest premier Support Our Troops event.
I would like to thank you for your time and consideration and should you have any questions,please feel free to contact me.
Sincerely,
Lou DeVuono
Founder and Executive Director
Heroes Highway Ride & Rally Association
483 Fralicks Beach Road,
Port Perry, ON L9L 1B6
(905) 448-3367
(905) 410-3949 Cell
E-Mail:
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Website: www.heroshighwayride.com
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