 The gathering of veterans at Marvin Park in Owego started very slowly in the early morning fog, sleet, rain and cold morning on October 17, 2009. At first there were only eight motorcycles, a large Army truck, a table with coffee and cookies, and a few veterans standing around trying to get the blood flowing to their feet in the 34 degree early morning. But signs had to be put up, literature had to be distributed to different tables to prepare for more bikes and cars that everyone involved knew would appear. This was the first tribute ride on a state highway Route 38, now designated as Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway of Valor. The belief was that the wet snowy miserable 24 hours before would not keep all the Vietnam Veterans away.
Bikes started coming in, with riders bundled up against the cold. Sometimes the riders came by themselves and others came in small groups; two, four and one time eight riders from Penn Yan. Veterans in cars, pick up trucks, a military jeep, some with wives and even some with children, some from Long Island, Buffalo and a couple from the Adirondacks came slowly into the park searching for familiar faces and hot coffee.
The long awaited helicopter that was going to be the static display, which was to be flown in from an Albany by a US Army National Guard unit was delayed, and by the start of the ride; was not able to fly because of the bad weather.
After a short delay past the departure time, the ride started on its way. Fifty three hardy motorcycle riders; Vietnam Veterans, The Blue Knight Motorcycle Riders, and also members of the Patriot Guard Riders and a caravan of cars, trucks, jeeps and other military vehicles.
The route was north of Route 38; the first leg of the 98 mile road that was now designated to honor Vietnam Veterans. Within a few miles other motorcycles joined the ride. Small town after small town, the sides of the highway were lined with small groups of people waving and cheering. Small American flags, big American Flags, small children, older folks, people blowing their horns, fire department flying American Flags from their ladder trucks, and VFW's and American Legion Post standing at attention with their flags as we passed.
In Groton at least another fifty motorcycles joined the ride. There was a short ceremony at Medal of Honor recipient, Marine 2nd Lieutenant Terrance Graves' memorial, where Vietnam Veteran Lauren Dates spoke about his effort to have the highway designated for Vietnam Veterans. Groton was also the first stop on the ride; a short break, for restrooms, gas, coffee and food.
All along the way, through Locke, Moravia, and Auburn, motorcycle joined the ride. In Auburn, the ride went beneath two crossed fire department ladder trucks with a huge American Flag hanging below, where many people had gathered to cheer as we passed by.
By the time the ride stopped at the VFW in Montezuma the home of Medal of Honor recipient Army SP4 Robert Stryker's where his medals were on display, the tribute ride had grown to two hundred bikes.
Within an hour the ride was underway once again to complete the final miles to Sterling where Route 38 intersects with Route 104. The last stop was at the South Forty Restaurant and Bar, where hot food, coffee and restrooms waited. The word from all of the men, who helped organize the ride, was unanimous, “Next year, the 2nd annual Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway of Valor Tribute Ride will be held in the summer.”
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