Last year in
November our friend Bill E. told us about an event his daughter, Susan P., was
putting on in Fredericksburg for Veterans….something about dogs. We weren’t really too interested but because
of our friendship with Bill we said we would come out and see what it was all
about. We found out that another friend,
Ron L. was going to provide the music for the event! We convinced a couple other friends to come
out so at least we knew we could hang out with friends and listen to cool music….it
wouldn’t be a wasted day.
As the day
unfolded we began to understand the event much better and the impact it had on
individual Veterans, in this case, Walter P.
Walter is a Vietnam Vet that
lives with PTSD and since he has been coupled with ‘Jackson’, his service dog,
he is better able to cope with his demons.
The “Dog Walk” helps to pay back the organization, Paws4Vets that
provided Jackson for Walter. The dogs
are given to the Veterans but they agree to have ‘fundraisers’ to pay back AND
pay forward the many thousand dollar cost of the dogs. The ‘fundraising’ part of the event was a
small fee to walk your dog on a marked out route and the proceeds from donated ‘silent
auction’ items. We had a great time that
day and after experiencing the reason for the event we decided to figure out
how our group, Cruisin For Heroes, could partner with Susan to help her next
year.
Last year’s
event was on November 8th….and the first of the 323 emails for this
year’s event began on November 9, 2014!
We decided to see if we could partner with the local chapter of Rolling
Thunder Inc, Virginia Region 3, since they are always looking for ways to
directly support Veteran’s needs. We had
a meeting with their rep., Mac M., and the event began to take shape. We had meetings with Susan, Stafford County,
Vendors and other ‘car people’. We
wanted to help Susan cast a larger net to have more spectators come out and support
what they are doing. Susan decided to
use Curtis Memorial Park for its location and sprawling, woodsy layout. The biggest drawback from the event in ’14 was
the time of year was very chilly….it was sunny but cold. Susan would change that for this year by
having it on October 3, 2015.
The week
before the event, hurricane Joaquin made its way up the East coast and met with
a storm system from the north. The two
systems would collide to produce massive quantities of rain in our area. Some coastal flooding and many streams &
rivers would rise suddenly. The event would have to be postponed….never a
good thing. Susan met with the County to
see what could be done and if they would lose the $350 deposit for the
park. The only other time the park was
available for her use was….November 14….in the cooler part of the year….yup! So we all scrambled to change the ads on the
internet, newspapers, radio and flyers.
It was a massive effort but it’s what had to be done. So Susan, Rolling Thunder, the vendors….and
Cruisin For Heroes began sweating out the weather for Nov. 14th.
Some say
that in Virginia if you don’t like the weather one day….just wait 24 hours and
it will change….there is some validity in that.
The weather during the week leading up to the 14th was
unseasonably warm but on the 12th the temps started dropping….and
dropping. The 14th would be
sunny but cold. The cool weather would
be dealt with by the participants but the needed spectators would stay
away. Attendance by spectators was
optional, it was mandatory for us!
Brrrrrrrrrrrr…..
The day
broke with the sun rays filtering through the trees, as advertised but with no
wind. It wasn’t too bad if one could be
in the sun. Otherwise it was very
cold. Then about 10Am the wind began….which
made the chill factor a minus 263 degrees.
All the vendors set up and the people with dogs began to trickle in to
the event. The Fredericksburg Classic
and Muscle Car Club came out with a large group of its members to support the event. Some other ‘car’ friends braved the bone
chilling weather to join with us too.
Then the Rolling Thunder motorcycles rumbled in. The Princess & I rode for over 40 years
and know how much fun it is riding in very cold temps….with a 60 mph chill
factor! These guys & gals could have stayed home and been nice and cozy….but
it’s not in their nature to abandon a fellow Veteran. Thank You….Rolling Thunder riders, for
supporting the event!
The ‘theme’
of this year’s event was 50’s Rock-N-Roll….and some, like Bill & Jo-Ann,
would really fit the part….to include driving a ’57 Chevy! Some of the dog owners would dress the dogs
in 50’s attire; you have to check the pictures out. Elvis (aka Curly Cue the clown) joined us to
keep the event rolling and led the dancing later in the day. Ron L. donated his time and equipment to DJ
the music all day long….even though he should have stayed in bed and nurse his
sniffles. The vendor that was selling
coffee was very busy and they soon would be feeding the participants too.
One of the
things we suggested to Susan was to have more things in the silent auction that
were not just dog related this year. I
think it worked! Some of the people
bought stuff they really didn’t need….but wanted anyway. I think Bill B. needs to bring his trailer
the next time we have one of these events…..Debbie accepted the challenge to ‘win
it all’….? I never knew that auctions
were supposed to be a challenge….silly me….
I overheard a biker couple talking about an auction item, something
about it wouldn’t fit in the saddle bags….I interrupted and said we could
deliver it for them. By the look on HIS
face I don’t think I’ll get a Christmas card from them this year…. Arlene finally found the perfect, just right
thing that she absolutely needed….it was so big that Ron L. had to haul it away
for Lou….check the pictures.
As the day’s
events unfolded it came time for the testimonies of the Veterans that have
service dogs….their stories are heart wrenching and victorious at the same
time. These very special people need
& deserve our support. They
dutifully put on the cloth of our Country and did our bidding to protect the
American way….it’s our turn to protect and support them any way, any time we
can.
After the
testimonies Susan had some presentations recognizing those that helped with the
event. Then Mac gave Susan a check for
$500 for Paws4Vets from Rolling Thunder Inc, Virginia Chapter 3….how cool is
that!? Then they had the contest for the
best 50’s dog costumes….that was fun too.
Then it was time for the 50/50 drawing followed by the silent auction
winners.
Except for
the low spectator turn out because of the cold weather I think the event was a
success. Next year I hope Susan plans
the event for June or July…. Be sure to
check the pictures, there are over 200 but it captures the character of the event….try
to join us next year….you won’t regret it.
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