Nation of Patriots 2017
Passing of the Flag in Sioux Falls, SD and Norfolk, NE
Last year Nation of Patriots tour came through Sioux Falls, I participated in the mini-parade we took down to the Sioux Falls Veterans' Memorial Park. We did the same thing this year, but then several of us also rode down to Nebraska for the next passing of the flag ceremony, too.
This year was a bit different – we were the sixth stop from the start, as opposed to last year where we were the sixth from the last :-) Here's this year's tour path:
As such, the riders came in from Watertown, SD this year instead of Nebraska, to meet us at J&L Harley-Davidson (not unlike the path taken by 2ringbike for his lower-48 IBA challenge ...):
(photo from the Nation of Patriots Flickr photo stream)
Passing of the Flag in Sioux Falls
(Photo credit: KSFY/ABC Sioux Falls)
When I arrived at J & L, I was stunned by how many folks were there, ready to make a parade down to the Veterans' Park! We even had a police escort – this was a much bigger deal than last year, and it was really nice to see. I think there might have been 20-30 bikes this time (as opposed to the small handful in 2016).
The flag-passing ceremony was nice, recognizing our veterans and give some history/context of the mission of Nation of Patriots. Afterwards, just like last time, we all signed the book at the park (but no banner was traveling with the flag this year).
J&L sponsored burgers and dogs for vets up at the "Harley Fort" on 60th, so a bunch of us headed back up after the ceremony. I got to chat with a couple of vets that hadn't been here last year, but had heard of the event this time due to the efforts of the Vietnam/Legacy Vets MC and J & L Harley-Davidson.
The Ride Down to Norfolk, NE
The next day I took a day off from work so I could ride with the group down to Norfolk for the next passing of the flag ceremony. This was a great ride, since we didn't take the highway. Lots of great country to ride through, between here and there. Even better, we stopped in Yankton, SD for lunch where JoDean's Steakhouse & Buffet sponsored lunch for the whole crew! Thanks, JoDean's :-)
I sat with the American Legion commander for Norfolk, NE and he was just the nicest guy I'd hung out with in ages – if the Norfolk crew is anything like him, they must be a wonderful bunch to work and ride with!
From Yankton we headed down 81 into Nebraska, eventually making our way to the Norfolk Veterans' Home where they were having a whole-day mini-fair: goats and calves for the kids to pet, balloon sculpture, free lemonade, gunny sack races, big band music, and even a little dancing! There were at least 4 generations represented there; what a wonderful gift to the veterans staying in that home (and it really felt like a home).
After we had a chance to chat, meet some folks, and have some lemonade, we held the ceremony:
The Sioux Falls Return Trip
After some more mingling and saying goodbye to our new Norfolk friends, we plotted courses back to Sioux Falls. The guys from the MC wanted to zip back up via I-29 (not a fan), so three others of us looked for a scenic route – which we found!
This was the best riding of the whole two days: all backroads, some time on the Outlaw Trail (a Nebraska Scenic Byway), beautiful hills, some nice curving roads, cute little towns – in other words, everything you'd want in a ride :-)
Funnily enough, even though we took our sweet time, when we were gassing up in Vermilion, SD we saw the guys from the MC pass by on their way to I-29. We waved, but then continued our ride directly north, taking in the sights and smells, ending our participation this year in the best way: remembering our fellow veterans, freedom of the road, and riding with friends :-) 🛣
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