|
DULUTH, Ga. (10/17/2012) – Marines from Marine Special Operations
Command took part in a bicycle ride from Little Creek, Va., to Lake
Lanier Resort, Ga., from Sept. 4 through Sept. 9 to honor fallen
Special Forces operators.
|
September 8, 2012 - Marines, sailors, police, and fire
fighters after completing the 2012 Operation One Voice Honor Ride
honoring fallen Special Operators. Photo by USMC Sgt. Anthony Carter
|
"The concept behind Operation One Voice is pretty simple
in that in the days following 9/11 firefighters and police
officers handed off protecting our nation to our military
troops, especially those at the tip of the spear. We are the
911 service to not only our local communities, but we will
also be that for our SOF community," said Lt. Bill Stevens,
Duluth Police Department, Operation One Voice Volunteer CEO.
Operation One Voice sponsored the 6th annual ride,
this year was to honor the first Navy Seal killed in
Afghanistan, Petty Officer 1st Class Neil Roberts. The Naval
Special Warfare, Group Two headquarters was the start of the
event, this ride is 605 miles of grueling hills and weather.
the riders took off to make their first stop in Ft. Bragg,
N.C. 16 riders participated, they were split into three
groups. Each rider had their own bike ranging from your
regular road bikes to professional bikes being almost as
expensive as a used car. Group one started the day, group
two rode the most miles, and group three finished each day
in the city they stayed. Day one would cover 180 miles for
the groups.
"I was privileged to have had the
opportunity to participate in the 2012 Operation One Voice
Honor Ride that paid tribute to PO1 Neil Roberts. Benevolent
organizations such as Operation One Voice and great
Americans like Bill Stevens as well as the other police and
fire men from Duluth, that made this event happen deserve a
loud and thunderous HOOYA! Great ride, great support, great
camaraderie, great cause - looking forward to next year!"
said Master Chief Petty Officer Rob Keeley, Naval Special
Warfare Group Two, Senior Enlisted Leader, Little Creek, Va.
The second and third day were the most exhausting for
the riders in group two. Riders had to cover another 200
miles. It is called a century when you ride 100 miles.
GySgt. Joshua Chmielewski, MARSOC 1ST MSOB, staff non
commission officer in charge, West Coast Recruiting
Screening, wanted to honor three operators he knew
personally, he was determined to do three centuries for
them, he felt honored to have completed these miles. Driven
to push himself for a six day period, he finished with a
total of 365 miles.
"If I could paint a picture to
remind everyone the why and how, it would be of the memory
of a Georgia State trooper cycling way beyond his ability
with a Navy Seal cyclist on one side and a MARSOC Marine on
the other, both with hands on the trooper's shoulders
pushing him forward, NO quitters here," said Stevens.
MARSOC Commander, Major General Mark A. Clark was the
guest of honor for the Operation One Voice ride. He also
rode the last 30 miles of the ride. Once the riders reached
the city hall in Duluth, riders got off their bikes
congratulating each other and shaking hands. The next
morning more than 60 local riders join in on the 23.2 miles
to finish at the Lake Lanier resort pavilion. During the
last stretch the resort lined the path with crosses to honor
our fallen military service members, fire fighters, police
officers who died on 9/11, service members who died over
seas, and our honored fallen Special Forces operators. The
final day, 11 year anniversary of 9/11, a ceremony was held
at the Lake Lanier pavilion
"As special operators,
immediately following the attack we took the fight to them.
Letting them know they would not get away with this, and we
would not forget," said Clark in a speech.
By USMC Sgt. Anthony Carter
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2012
Comment on this article |
