We Ride Arkansas 9/11 Speech
09/14/2014
First I would like to introduce Neil and Jana Evans, the creators and founders of the We
Ride network. Please introduce yourself to them at some time today, they would love to
meet you.This will not be a long speech, I’m not a gifted public speaker but I will take the
opportunity to convey a message, one that we think is important to say. Please excuse the
cheat sheet, my memory is not good enough to recite it.
This event is not about politics and has no desire to become such. We Ride’s desire is to
provide an avenue for people, bikers, mc’s, rc’s, ra’s, police, fire, rescue,
healthcare, emergency services, the armed forces and civilians to join together and make
a commitment to Never Forget the tragedies that occurred on September 11, 2001.
The people who made the journey to be here today made a commitment, by traveling the
many miles to participate in this event. They did this because they believe we should
Never Forget. The police, fire, rescue, healthcare, emergency services and the armed
forces put their lives on the line everyday to provide us with safety, care and freedom and
we should forever be thankful for their commitment, and they also believe that we should
Never Forget. I would like for everyone to thank them for their participation in this event.
It’s all about commitment. Commitment to our Country to Never Forget the trespasses
against it.
This memorial cannot ever replace the thousands of lives that were lost on that day but it
does provide us with a place to gather, to honor them by vowing to always remember their fate that tragic day. This memorial will not bring them back. What this memorial
does is provide us a place to pay tribute to all, past and present who continue to protect
and provide for our well being, a place to pay tribute to all our armed services past and
present who are fighting for our freedom to continue this life we live.
In closing I would like to introduce you to Pastor Brian Williams who will say a few
words and lead us in prayer. After the prayer we will Pledge Allegiance to our great
Flag. After this it may be possible to get your picture taken with your bike and the
memorial in the background. We will break for lunch and gather again at the Arkansas
Welcome Center on 167 south, on the left just past the Hw 82 overpass for a mini meet
and greet to introduce ourselves to each other. I will be leaving the Welcome Center at
2:00 pm to return to Camden if you want to start your return home by the same route. If
you can’t make it to the Welcome Center, Ride Safe and Thanks for making this event
such a great success by fulfilling your comittment to participate. We’ll see you here next
year !!