Robins bikers ride for veterans

[totalmotorcycle]

Robins bikers ride for veterans
Friday, November 3, 2006 - By Jake Jacobs - TELEGRAPH STAFF WRITER - macon.com



Veterans Day doesn't take place until next Saturday, but some local motorcycle enthusiasts are revving up to honor veterans today.

Members of the newly formed Robins Motorcycle Club at Robins Air Force Base, along with other Middle Georgia motorcyclists, are staging a ride today from Warner Robins to Andersonville to pay tribute to veterans.

Capt. Aaron Rosler, executive officer of the 12th Airborne Command Control Squadron at the air base, said Thursday the ride's purpose is to raise flags at the veterans cemetery in Andersonville to prepare it for the Nov. 11 observance.

The ride will pull out at 8:30 a.m. today from the parking lot of ARinc, located on Ga. 247 across from the Museum of Aviation entrance, Rosler said.

The expected 25 or so riders, escorted by the Houston County Sheriff's Department, will travel south to Ga. 127, turn on to U.S. 41, then take Ga. 26 to the Macon County line where the Macon County Sheriff's Department will take over and escort the group to the Andersonville cemetery.

The ride, while not an official function of the Robins Motorcycle Club, will have many of its members participating along with other area clubs and "some lone wolves who just got the word," Rosler said. A lone wolf is a rider who doesn't belong to a particular group.

"The ride is to pay our respects to veterans; we do these things as a remembrance," Rosler said. At ride's end, participating bikers will raise flags over veterans' graves at Andersonville in anticipation of Veterans Day ceremonies.

Rosler said there is a strong link between motorcycle clubs and veterans, with many biker groups out front in their support of veterans.

"Many motorcycle clubs have their roots in the military," he said. "There are a lot of personnel who like riding, who enjoy the freedom of the road that you don't experience in a car. The military gives them that freedom."

Rosler said events such as this can also serve to educate drivers to be more aware of motorcyclists on the highways.

"A large ride like this does get people's attention, and maybe they can see how they should interact with riders," he said. "And for the riders, we can also use more education on how to ride safe alone or in groups."

The Robins club also participates in a Memorial Day ride, he said.