Memorial Day – Sep 13, 2009 – by Michael Ross

September 13. The date of this year's Ulysses Memorial Day Ride & Service - an event not to be missed. My first one. And what a corker of a day it turned out to be. But let me not get ahead of myself and let's start at the start.

The Blacksoil BP was to be our starting point. And upon arrival the place was almost full already, with bikes double parked and still nearly an hour before we left. Hagar and I noticed the new Stand near the petrol price sign and took advantage of the height to try get some photos of the bikes awaiting the Go signal.

Ado would be the ride leader and it'd be a nice cruisey run straight up to the Somerset Ulysses Memorial Garden. So he called all and sundry over for the ride brief. Beautifully delivered from a car trailer ready to be hired from the servo. And off we set... Ulysses members, Easy Rider members and Vietnam Veteran members all showing their solidarity.

First obstacle is Normally crossing the Warrego Hiway. But not today. Today the first obstacle was a piece of pipe or something laying across the servo's driveway. So the idea was... dodge that while simultaneously looking over your shoulder for a gap in the traffic to accelerate into. But we have the skills, according to our licenses, so no problems there.

Once that was done the highway crossing was next. And inbound traffic seemed thicker than normal. And with a larger number of bikes leaving for the ride (63 bikes, 6 trikes and 2 sidecars) it took longer than normal too. Ado had planned for this and made a regrouping stop just outside of Fernvale.

And so it was, as the big hand made its way to the six and the little hand moved closer to the ten, we arrived in Fernvale and pulled up to wait for the rest of the group. Eventually they arrived. Tailend Charlie rode to the front to signal that all were now here, and off we went again. Further North until the Somerset turnoff where the corner was very well marked and some traffic control provided as well – not by any licensed traffic controllers but by other members of the ride group.

Apart from a car towing a boat which we got past in an overtaking lane and a mysterious bike rider who safely made his way by us all a few bikes at a time (corner marker making way back through the field?), the run was free of other road users. The weather was mild, the sky was blue, the bugs were away for the day and all was good for riding.

Arriving at Somerset we were the first. So we got all the good parking spots – in the shade. And it didn't take long to claim a picnic table for our Sausage Sizzle. Disgraceful Old Geezer ingenuity came to the fore with the way the Lockyer sign was hung up on display – tied to clamps which were them clamped onto the gazebo's roof. And while Howza would have been handy around about this time, the Grave Robber was helped in other ways when her levitation powers failed.

Doc from Redcliffe branch was spotted heading into the garden area with some buckets and we quickly followed. And it was during this time, during the time of Marmite digging and Hagar and Ado planting and watering, that the mouse from hell was encountered. It pulled out its hidden ninja sword, bared its teeth, gave a high-pitched Kamikaze-like scream and launched a full-on assault on Ado! (Possibly mistaking him for another mouse, what with his rat tail thing.)

Mouse Attack diverted, a pale-faced Ado overheard something about knobs which reminded him of the true story about a recent alien visitation and how the aliens procreate. It was definitely one of those “had to be there” moments. Cause from afar Ado looked like he was doing an impression of Rain Man, with much head slapping and ear tugging going on. Just put it down to post traumatic stress disorder from the fierce mouse encounter.

Lockyer had two trees to plant in memory of members who had ridden on. And while members of the families of the ridden on riders planted trees, Margaret and Bruce Dobbie - Captains from the Ipswich Salvation Army - said a few words. Then the Lockyer ground spike was inserted so we'd know where our members' trees were. And we all found some shade while more riders arrived and the crowd slowly formed for the main service which was to follow – and which would also be conducted by Captain Margaret Dobbie.

Doc, freshened up from all the tree planting, began by reading the names of some ridden on members and also included a Memorial Day Ode (reproduced further on). And mentioned that it would be put onto a plaque and then attached to a boulder (so it couldn't be stolen) and placed at the garden. There must have been something we missed I'm sure, but it was revealed that Pinkie owed Doc a kiss. And so the debt was paid in full.

Following the service – ridden on members, kind words, prayer, reflection time... a service – the smell of frying onions and sizzling sausages filled the nostrils. And off we went for a feed, leaving the shade of the trees at the service area for the shade of trees elsewhere. And then once fed, a stroll down to the water's edge for a rest and some more chit chat and friendly banter. And then, gradually, we began making our respective ways home in smaller groups of two, three and four bikes.

While the ride was shorter (for us) than our regular rides due to the close proximity of the Ulysses Memorial Garden to our branch, the day was still very enjoyable. And even though the ride was memorial in nature, the spirit of the riders was uplifting and a pleasure to be around.

Memorial Day Ode

They lived their lives disgracefully.
They loved a social ride.
They blessed us with their friendship.
They wore the "Old Man" badge with pride.

But though our friends have Ridden On,
And crossed that great divide,
Their legacy inspires us yet,
Whilst in our hearts they still abide.
#38103

---

Photos by Bling and Ado