Simply Spectacular!

Jonathan would have been proud! I know that I was! A truly awe-inspiring audio and visual spectacle to behold, an estimated 225 motorcyclists, with their bikes roaring in tribute to a fallen Patrick County hero, departed from Patrick County High School on a brilliant April afternoon Saturday, as part of a magnificent procession that has become known as the Jonathan Bowling Memorial Scholarship Fund. This 3rd annual bike ride is sponsored by the Red Knights Motorcycle Club to honor the memory of Patrick County native Jonathan Bowling, the beloved young soldier who gave his life for our freedom in Iraq and to raise funds for the scholarship fund that has been established in his name. During Saturday's ride, the bikers made a 15-minute visit to Cpl. Bowling's grave site to "spend some time with Jonathan," who was an avid motorcyclist himself.

Jonathan's father, Virginia state trooper Darrell Bowling, said the massive effort to keep his son's memory in the public eye was "heart-warming" and "touching." (In his Heavenly home,) "I hope that he (Jonathan) understands exactly how great his sacrifice was," said the loving father.

Talk about support...bikers came from from as far away as Illinois and Wisconsin to ride in tribute to Jonathan. One biker rode 1,280 miles from Wisconsin to participate in the event, which always arouses my sense of patriotism. I am proud to be a freedom loving American and I realize that without the efforts of young men and women like Jonathan we would not enjoy the many blessings that we sometimes take for granted in this country. Whether or not we support the war in Iraq, we must never abandon the troops that protect the rights and freedoms that we hold dear in these great United States of America. Thanks Jonathan. I know that, in spirit, you were right there among those bikers on your prized Harley Davidson!

Thanks to all of you who showed your respect for Jonathan Bowling by participating in or attending the ceremonies of the annual memorial bike ride. Thanks too for your support of the Stuart Rotary Club's Blue Ridge Mountains Car Show, held at PCHS in conjunction with the Jonathan Bowling Memorial Bike Ride. The car show was a huge success making all the hard work that went into it for us Rotarians worthwhile. A total of 13o classic and antique vehicles were displayed and spread among 46 classes of competition. In addition to emceeing the car show, I enjoyed covering the event for our local news as well as the bike ride.

On Friday, dressed in "maroon and orange" like most everyone, I attended a bell ringing ceremony at Stuart Baptist Church in tribute to the victims and families of the tragedy at Virginia Tech, my alma mater. That was very touching. Let's continue to pray for the families and victims of this senseless tragedy and pray that it will never be repeated, especially so close to home and to the heart.

I also had the pleasure Friday of broadcasting from the Job Fair at Rotary Field, Stuart, which attracted 450 job seekers to booths manned by the more than 50 businesses, agencies, and community organizations who were seeking to recruit new employees. Hopefully, it was a win-win situation for both groups. It was great to see so many local organizations and individuals working together for a common cause, a stronger economy.

On Sunday, I was proud to emcee a gospel sing at Honduras Coffee Co., featuring the Southern Prophets and One Accord, to benefit the Patrick County Food Bank. The place was packed and the music was excellent. It felt good too to know that by attending and supporting this cause we were doing something to help alleviate hunger in our community. This effort makes me proud to live in a community that is so caring and shows such compassion for the less fortunate among us. You do me proud, Patrick County!

As you might have gathered, it was a busy weekend, capping a week without a day off. Oh, well, I do what I do, not for earthly riches but, for the love of my community and its wonderful people, hopefully reflecting my love for and the presence of JESUS in my life. He is the way to go, "the way, the truth, and the life"!

God bless,
Richard