OFF THE WIRE
http://www.clarksvilleonline.com/2011/09/01/strike-force-soldiers-ride-for-the-fallen/
Strike Force Soldiers Ride for the Fallen
September 1, 2011 |
Written by Spc. Shawn Denham PAO, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division
Clarksville, TN – Motorcycles are a common recreational mode of transportation for Soldiers and civilians alike. Bikers have many reasons for why they ride; from enjoying the freedoms the bike can provide to the mechanics behind it, bikes are represented throughout the area.
Soldiers of 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), ride motorcycles for a reason closer to their heart.
The Soldiers of Strike Force gathered in support of the ‘Ride for the Fallen’ motorcycle-training event in Clarksville, TN, August 26th.
Soldiers of 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), fill Highway 41-A during its ‘Ride for the Fallen’ starting in Clarksville, TN, August 26th. The event combined a motorcycle safety class with a ride to Nashville, TN, in remembrance of their fallen Soldiers from Operation Enduring Freedom 2010-2011. (U.S. Army Photo By Spc. Shawn Denham, PAO)
The ride was dedicated to their Soldiers who died during Operation Enduring Freedom 2010-2011 and the recent death of a fellow Strike Force Soldier in a motorcycle accident. About 40 Soldiers met in the parking lot of The Great Escape Cinema Theater to review motorcycle safety before the ride. From their, the bikers lined up, rolled out together and traveled along Highway 41-A toward Nashville; forming a line of Soldiers honoring their fallen friends.
“It is very important for us as a unit to remember those who are no longer with us,” said 1st Sgt. George Fitzke, first sergeant of Strike Force’s Company of C and who was deployed to the Zharay district in Kandahar and a riding instructor at the event. “Today we ride in remembrance of the sacrifice many Soldiers made during our last deployment.”
Before the ride, bikers would go through a checklist and inspect their vehicle, maintain proper motorist insurance and state registration for their vehicles. The battalion focused heavily on proper procedures and safety.
Soldiers of 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), inspect their motorcycles at the ‘Ride for the Fallen’ training event, in Clarksville, TN, August 26th. Strike Force hosted the event to train motorcyclists on basic biking skills and dedicated their ride from Clarksville to Nashville, TN in honor their fallen Soldiers from Operation Enduring Freedom 2010-2011. (U.S. Army Photo By Spc. Shawn Denham, PAO)
“Safety is a big concern out here, especially on bikes,” said Fitzke. “There are only two wheels on a bike so if something goes wrong with one wheel that means trouble for the biker.”
Soldiers and instructors examined their motorcycles to ensure each component and detail was in good working order. Then they lined up to test their maneuverability, braking and basic handling skills.
Throughout the training, Soldiers visited with each other. Though the focus of the event was to educate Soldiers, it also presented them an opportunity to socialize with other personnel from different shops and offices in Strike Force.
“This helps build camaraderie,” said 1st Sgt. William Wilson, 1st Sgt. of Co. A, a native of Bloomington, IN. and a riding instructor at the event. “The training also helps Soldiers learn to be aware of their surroundings at all times.”
Pfc. Cord Robedeau, a mortarman with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), practices basic motorcycle control during the training portion of ‘Ride for the Fallen’, in Clarksville, TN, August 26th. Soldiers of Strike Force gathered to learn motorcycle riding and safety, then rode along Highway 41-A to Nashville, TN, in remembrance of their fallen comrades from Operation Enduring Freedom 2010-2011. (U.S. Army Photo By Spc. Shawn Denham, PAO)
This instruction is good for bikers because it focused towards hands-on training and real road experience, said Pfc. Cord Robedeau, a mortarman with Headquarters and Headquaters Company, native of Prescott, AZ, and trainee at the event.
“This is a good hands-on course for [motorcyclists] to learn from,” said Robedeau. “We’re all getting good instruction on bike safety and handling. It should be an easy ride so we should all do fine out there today.”
Strike Force Soldiers turned a practical training event into a memorable ride to honor the fallen Soldiers of their battalion and their brigade carrying on the Strike tradition of never forgetting the Soldiers who have made the ultimate sacrifice and gave for their country.
