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From the Gazeebo...  

"THE MILITARY AND NATIONAL CHARACTER OF AMERICA"

"I hope I shall always possess firmness and virtue enough to maintain what I consider the most enviable of all titles, the character of an honest man. " - George Washington, in a letter to Hamilton

One of the attributes of the current generation of American warrior is the noble character that we consistently see exhibited in their actions in the conduct of their duties. What other military force in the world can you name that fights wars according to rules of engagement that cause them to risk their own lives rather than risk harming a non-combatant in a mistake made in the heat of battle? What other military man and woman spends their time playing with local children and writing home for school supplies and toys to give out to the smallest victims of war?

All of you have noticed the same. During the course of OUR activities, during the Welcome Home celebrations and the honor missions and other troop and family support activities, you have seen the finest young Americans that this country has ever produced.

As for me, as I have watched you in the performance of YOUR duties, your volunteer duties, I have seen the nobility of character inherent in YOU, in the average Warriors' Watch Rider.

George Washington knew that the way to establish a good reputation was to be, in fact, a good person. The rest will take care of itself. I say this with one word of caution, however, and that is that men and women of character, men and women like you, inevitably draw fire from those with ugly characters. There is something in the ignoble character of the jealous classes that causes them to need to attack good, principled people. More about "principle" another time, but for now just remember that men and women of principle MUST have enemies. Only the unprincipled can hope to appease everyone, all the time.

But back to Washington. I use this Founding Father as an example of the very essence of character because that is how he is best remembered, and because to me his character mirrors that of our current warriors, and of you, the WWR volunteers.

Consider just this one story:

At the conclusion of the Revolutionary War there remained many unresolved questions about the relationship between the military and the new, infant government, elected civilians. It was a question that needed to be answered successfully for the continued success of the new nation.

And the army officers had many legitimate grievances with the government. The country was fairly broke and Congress was way behind in paying the military. They hadn't settled the officer's food and clothing accounts, nor had they made provisions for military pensions.

In March of 1773 an anonymous letter circulated among the officers at Washington's main camp in Newburgh, New York. The letter exhorted the officers to lean aggressively on congress, to draw up a list of demands and possibly defy the new government (which would have been disastrous for the birth of the new nation.)

George Washington acted fast to quell this uprising. He called a meeting of all the officers for March 15. Washington arrived at the last minute to a meeting where they thought he would be a no-show. At that meeting, George Washington delivered one of the most eloquent and important speeches of his life.

First, Washington pledged himself to "the most unequivocal manner" to argue for the soldiers to Congress. These officers knew Washington's character, and they were quietly chastised, because they knew that Washington would keep that word, and that they should have known it without being told.

Washington implored the officers "not to take any measures, which, viewed in the calm light of reason, will lessen the dignity, and sully the glory you have hitherto maintained" He appealed to the "name of our Common Country...your sacred honor...the rights of humanity," and "the Military and National Character of America."

What great words, to describe such a great thing.

It is precisely the "Military and National Character of America" that awes me each time I stand back and observe a Warriors' Watch Riders Welcome Home ride. The character of the military man or woman being honored, the character of the WWRiders doing the honors. The Military and National Character of America could be our tagline. It describes our military members, it describes YOU.

After Washington finished his speech to the officers, he drew a letter from his vest pocket in which was expressed Congress's efforts at redressing the army. Washington hesitated, then, as he fumbled in his pockets, said:

"Gentlemen, you will permit me to put on my spectacles, for I have not only grown gray, but almost blind, in the service of my country."

The officers wept. The conspiracy immediately collapsed.

I have seen you, gray or bald men in leather vests and women in denim and chaps, weep. I've seen you break down into emotional puddles of goop in response to the acts of noble character that you witness in our young military men and women as we greet them.

This, is the character of our Military, this, is the character of America, this, is the character of the Warriors' Watch Riders who I am privileged to call "friends." And God bless you for it.

- Wayne Lutz

A CORRECTION TO LAST WEEKS' WEEKLY RIDE

It seems I've been issuing a lot of corrections and clarifications lately for getting things wrong. I suppose it's inevitable.

Last week I mentioned the town near me of Allentown, Pa., and the song by that name by "Springstein," I said. I was reminded in no uncertain terms by a fan that the song was written and sung by Billy Joel, not Bruce. My apologies to Billy.

Anyone want a job as "Weekly Ride Fact-Checker?" Pay stinks.

NEW ITEMS IN THE WWR STORE

We are continually adding new items to the "store," many of which appeal to veterans and bikers who are not necessarily WWRiders, as well as some cool special order stuff ("special order" translated means it takes a little longer to get them) but this week we have something special. Up until now we have had to outsource our WWR Windshield banners, as I was unable to find a manufacturer who would offer a quality product at a competitive bulk price. That problem has been solved, I found a supplier, we have regained control of our trademarked logo, and we have produced a BETTER windshield banner to boot.

Up until now there were two kinds from two suppliers - one was big, bold white lettering on a cloth-like material. The other was on vinyl, and had the logo, but the lettering was more scrunched together than I liked (which is why I preferred the cloth version for my own use, but most others preferred the vinyl one with the logo on it.)

The new banner is black vinyl, but with the bigger and bolder white lettering more like the old cloth banner, AND the new one still has the WWR Wing-and-Shield logo to the right. Additionally, the new banner has FOUR reinforced grommets, one on each corner, for more secure and flat fastening to fit almost any bike windshield. I think you will like it, and it comes directly from the WWR store and is IN STOCK now. The old ones were $20 for the vinyl and $30 for the cloth, this new one is a compromise - $24.

We also have stickers now - round "WWR Honor Coin" stickers printed on vinyl for outside use on bikes, windows and helmets. It's a little bigger than an actual coin - 2.5 inches in diameter. Go to the "store" by clicking here to check these items out.

Until next time: MAY GOD CONTINUE TO BLESS THIS, STILL THE GREATEST NATION ON EARTH, AND ALL OF THOSE WHO DO, HAVE, OR WILL DEFEND HER, AT HOME AND ABROAD.

- Wayne Lutz

*This newsletter is named "The Weekly Ride" or "The Ride", for short, in memory of and to honor Sgt. Jennifer Hartman, U.S. Army. Sgt. Hartman was killed in Iraq by America's enemies. She died in defense of our freedom at the age of 20. This quote from Jennifer was read at her graveside:

"It's not about what happened in the past. It's not about what might happen in the future. It's about the ride, for Christ's sake."

Click here for a Tribute to Sgt. Jennifer Hartman: "The Ride"