The 3rd annual Macon-Andersonville Memorial Day Event started on Friday afternoon as registrants began arriving at the Holiday Inn in Macon. You knew it was going to be a wild  weekend when we discovered that Elvis gets his room first. As each person arrived they came by the Peach Room to receive their registration packet. Around dinner time we took time to go eat...imagine that! We headed to Margarita's for some good Mexican food and "medium" margaritas the size of  fishbowls. The "smokeless" Star Days saga began. The day ended out by the pool with some lively and humorous conversation. We had only been here a few hours and already I knew already this was going to be an unforgettable weekend.

Turnout was good with about 40 bikes and their passengers being involved over the course of the Saturday and Sunday activities. Besides the riders from 111, we had participants from the Rome chapter, the Cartersville Chapter, Florida, South Carolina and Virginia. Some local riders from the Macon area wandered in and hopefully we planted the seeds for a chapter there. Also, Pat and Al Baker, our regional directors came up from Florida to join in the fun.

As always seems to be the case, the weather was great, and as has always been the case, it was a little on the warm side. But, I'd rather be hot than wet any day! There was a little sporatic breeze most of the day Saturday to cool us off, and it always seemed to show up about the time you thought it was getting a little too warm. We made it through the entire weekend, from the time we left home to the time we walked back in the door with no rain.

Saturday was filled with activities. We set up our circus at Capital Cycles in Macon. As they had in the prior two years, they provided us with a place for our activities, door prizes, and food. They even let us come in and cool off occasionally. They also had a Roadliner available for demo rides, which several people took advantage of. I hear one ride even resulted in a later purchase back in Atlanta.

The day started off with the Trivia Ride. It was a nice leisurely ride lasting a little over an hour taking the riders through the Macon countryside and back. There were around fifteen bikes that accepted the challenge. Dave and Josie Hughes came back with all the correct answers in the quickest time (without doing it faster than our base time) and won a little cash in the process. While the Trivia Ride riders were out, those of us who decided to hang around enjoyed just sitting around and talking under the tents in the shade. The Trivia Ride was followed by a lunch of hamburgers, hotdogs, cookies and cold drinks graciously provided by Capital Cycles. Not only did they provide the food but they did the cooking on that hot grill as well. All we had to do was eat! After lunch we kicked off the Show and Shine. With a little prodding we managed to get enough people to put their bike in the show to make it interesting. The majority of the entries were in the stock class, along with a couple in the semi-custom and one in the theme class. Anyone who would take the time, including visitors and customers of the dealership were given a ballot and ask to vote. Ballots were counted. Winners were announced. Trophies and ribbons were awarded.

While the Trivia Ride and bike show were taking place, people were putting in their bids for the items in the silent auction. Star donated several really nice items including a $325 leather jacket. There was a Star watch, some Star luggage, and a Star blanket and more. Once the Show and Shine trophies were awarded we held the 50/50 drawing and a lucky winner walked away with a little extra cash (even after giving part of the winnings back to Feed the Children) Finally we evaluated the bids on the silent auction and  the winners of the items were announced. A lot of people got some great deals on some very nice item, but more importantly, we raised some money for Feed the Children.

With the days official activities over we packed up and headed back to Holiday Inn. Everyone took a little time to clean up and cool down and maybe even take a nap. Next on the agenda was dinner. Anyone wanting to join us for dinner were instructed to meet at the front of the hotel for a ride over to the Pig and Fish for a nice meal. We warned the restaurant in advance that we were coming, so they were expecting us. We were seated immediately and waited on just as quickly. The food and service was excellent.  Just as their name implies, they had everything from BBQ to broiled scallops. I'm pretty sure we drank a lot of ice cold sweet tea. Everyone really enjoyed their meal. Bellies full and wallets empty everyone gathered on the restaurant patio overlooking the beautiful lake. Pat Baker presented former president of Chapter 111, Preston Fletcher with an "Order of the Star" plaque for his role in establishing this event two years ago. It was his vision and his hard work that started what has turned out to be a very highly anticipated event.

Once back at the hotel, plans were to meet at the pool for some fellowship, but the warm muggy air and the hot sun changed our minds and we decided to stay inside for the remainder of the evening. So, we all met in the Peach room. I must say this turned out to be as much fun as anything else that we did that day. Stories were told. Laughs were shared. Tears of laughter were shed. It has been a long time since I had laughed that hard for that long. We learned the tale of Bubba NoGate. We found out about the quality management in place at Georgia Power. We found out why Mitch didn't have any raingear in Myrtle Beach and so much more including the dog that fell in the hole and his buddy dogs that egged him on. You just had to be there. Finally we decided we had had enough and all headed off to bed for a little rest before the next day's activities.

Sunday morning, some of us chose to take advantage of the free breakfast in the hotel restaurant. All bikes then assembled in front of the hotel for our ride to Andersonville. Turnout was good with roughly 25 bikes and 30+ riders. The cool air of the morning felt good as we rode through the middle Georgia countryside. The weather rapidly warmed up and by the time we made it to Ryan's in Andersonville about an hour and a half later for lunch,  It was once again hot. Still, it was a nice ride. If you don't like farmland and pine trees, it could get a little boring, but the constant roadkill avoidance kept everyone on their toes and awake.

At Ryan's we cooled off in the air conditioning, hydrated ourselves and filled our bellies. Once lunch was over we made a quick stop at a gas station to refuel our rides and then gathered up  in a nearby parking lot before heading to the cemetery. All veterans were put in the front for the 20 minute ride to the cemetery. These were the men and women among us who had served our country to defend our freedom. We wanted to honor them by having them lead us into the park.

Riding in to the cemetery is an experience. Nineteen thousand graves, each with a flag placed there for the weekend by the boy scouts and girl scouts. Upon parking our bikes we headed over to the area where the ceremony was to be held. On the way we came across and elderly lady and her daughter. They were trying to place a vase of flowers on the grave of their husband/father. The ground was hard as a rock and they could not get the spike on the vase to go in the ground. With a few knives, some rocks and sticks a few of us managed to loosen up enough of the dirt to allow the vase to be placed on the gravesite. To see the gratitude of these two ladies as they shed tears for their departed was was very emotional.

The ceremony was about an hour long. It included some patriotic and spiritual music by the Army band. There were several speakers. The primary speaker was a soldier who had just returned from Iraq. He told of the sacrifice that is made there and how men he led had died. However, he reported that the majority of the Iraqis were very thankful that we were there and that the mission was just. His main focus though was on the men and women who serve and the sacrifices that they make to do so. Many leave spouses, children, jobs and careers to defend freedom. I sat there listening ... it was hot ... very hot. They had erected a camouflage netting over the seating area to block the direct sun but it still managed to find its way through. The temperature was in the nineties. There was an occasional breeze that blew through. Sometimes it was cool but often it was just warm air moving around. Still, as I sat there and listened, I realized that my little bit of discomfort was nothing compared to the heat and discomfort that soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan feel every day. They cannot put on cooler clothes or seek out a shade tree. They cannot change their mind and say "its too hot, I'm going home". They must stand their ground, be diligent in all they do, not letting their guard down or getting careless because they are a little warm. A mistake can cost them their life or the life of the soldier standing next to them. Somehow it didn't seem so hot anymore. The final part of the ceremony was the presentation of wreaths. Star Chapter 111 presented a very nice wreath. The wreath was presented this year by David Hughes and Rick Campbell, two of our vets. The ceremony ended with a 21 gun salute and the playing of taps. As taps was played I thought of all the men and women who have died fighting for freedom and defending our country in the last 230 years. It leaves a lump in you throat, an aching in your heart. I wished that somehow I could thank every one of them. I felt some satisfaction in knowing that I had taken a few minutes to sit in the sun and pay my respects.

After the ceremony some headed back home, some immediately headed back to the hotel and some went over to the POW museum to cool off and tour the facility. The museum provides a history of POW's throughout history. It really gives you an appreciation for freedom and life. After a cool down we mounted up and headed back to the hotel in Macon.

At the hotel everyone headed to their room. Some returned to the pool for a dip. Some went out shopping or to explore the city. Some took naps. By supper time, enough had gathered around the pool to make a major decision. What were we going to do about eating. Pizza delivery was the winner and in short order we were in the Peach Room once again, sharing pizza. There must be something with that room. The laughter from the previous night must have penetrated the walls because it didn't take long to find its way back out. I thought the first night was a laugh riot....this was just as hilarious. Bubba NoGate seemed to be the joke of the event and sadly even Fallen Angel joined in on the Bubba NoGate fracas. Sappy Ass was there. Blueberry Butt wasn't there. The once chocolate covered nuts that were pre sucked or post sucked were a hot discussion topic. We heard the story about the dung throwing monkey and oddly had our own version. Some of us may never eat chicken again and duck eggs will probably be a taboo subject for a while.

The night ended with a trip by several of us to the Waffle House next door that will never be forgotten. Waffle House is usually an adventure anyway, but this was beyond anything you can imagine. I don't know how to describe what happened. Bad Service? That doesn't do it justice. Some of the quotes that stick with me, "I can't read my writing", "Did y'all change seats" and "Don't make me get emotional" (all by the waitress). I think it was best summed up by "just let it go, that woman just ain't right" (by a member about the waitress). It was a comical experience. The perfect ending to the day and to the event.

Monday morning everyone that was still there had breakfast, packed up and headed home. A very satisfying weekend had come and gone. I was sad it was over. Times like that could last forever. There is absolutely nothing better than riding with friends, laughing with friends, working with friends to raise money for charity or spending a few moments with friends to honor our vets.

So, what did all of this accomplish? I know 40-50 people had a very good time. I am sure that next year we will see most come back and many will bring friends with them. The two most important things ... the reason we did all this ... we honored those who have served and continue to serve our country, and after all the bills were paid, we raised $12oo for Feed the Children. We did good. Next year we will do "gooder" .... so plan on being there.

Attending (From Chapter 111):

Doug & Teresa Turco
Gary & Maria Kohl
Preston & Stephanie Howard
Steve & Kay Argo
Mitch Argo
David & Josie Hughes
Rick Campbell
Henry Williams

AND Special Guest

Preston Fletcher