ARARAT, Va. — With strong engines, and stronger words, motorcycle riders from a two-state area converged on Ararat Saturday to offer support for a wounded local Marine. Source: Mt. Airy News, Mt. Airy, NC
“When I left the house this morning, I didn’t have to worry about no IED going off,� veteran biker Greg “Fuzzy� Melton of Axton, Va., said as about 75 motorcyclists gathered for the J.B. Kerns Honor Ride. Cpl. Josh Kerns was severely wounded by an improvised explosive device on April 7 in Afghanistan.
“We’re here to show our support for one who was protecting our rights,� said Joe Walker, another biker who came from Christiansburg, his words greeted by applause from nearly all those within earshot.
Saturday’s ride, held in conjunction with the second-annual Ararat Heritage and Music Jamboree, included members of the Patriot Guard Riders, who escort the remains of fallen troops along with honoring those who are wounded, such as Kerns. Also represented was the Christian Motorcyclists Association (CMA).
“This is number 17 for me this year,� Walker, who was accompanied Saturday by his teen-age daughter, said of the rides he has participated in to support the troops. “It doesn’t matter if it’s raining or not,� he added, because soldiers protect America in all kinds of weather.
Kerns, 21, was on his third deployment to Afghanistan last month when he was wounded by the improvised explosive device. Melton, himself a Marine veteran, told the gathering Saturday that a staff sergeant from Tennessee who was accompanying the Ararat soldier was killed in the blast.
It left Kerns with the loss of both legs below the knees and his right arm below the elbow, among other severe injuries.
The local Marine, a 2008 graduate of Patrick County High School, initially was taken to a hospital in Bethesda, Md., for treatment. But he is now at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, his stepfather, Alex Bowman, reported before the ride.
“Josh is doing good,� Bowman said. “He got his first day out of the hospital today.�
With Kerns’ parents facing a financial strain from traveling to and from the hospital and missing work, plus a major burden to come in dealing with his handicaps, the region has rallied to help with a variety of fund-raising efforts. This included the J.B. Kerns Honor Ride as well as a benefit auction earlier this month, among other activities.
At last report, more than $40,000 had been generated.
“That sounds like a lot of money,� Melton said in remarks before the bikers mounted up Saturday. “But I’m telling you…the government will not pay forever,� he added of a trend of less assistance being available for wounded servicemen.
The honor ride was organized by Roger Hayden, the chairman of the Patrick County Board of Supervisors whose district includes Kerns’ home community. Hayden, also a motorcycle rider, said he was assisted by others in the planning, including Melton and another biker referred to only as “Crazy Horse.�
“This is great!� Hayden said of Saturday’s turnout of bikers who not only rode in support of Cpl. Kerns but supplied much financial help as well.
Hayden read a recent proclamation from the county supervisors recognizing Kerns’ sacrifices to protect America’s freedom.
Shouts of “Amen!� from the crowd of bikers greeted the words of the proclamation. But Hayden said he considers such acts as Saturday’s honor ride a duty “to stand for them who stand for us.�
“This is our freedom being protected,� Walker said of Kerns’ service and why he participated Saturday. “That man was willing to put his life on the line.�
In addition to praising the local Marine’s contribution, the bikers had words of condemnation for how society in general treats veterans.
“Our nation doesn’t respect them the way they should,� Walker continued.
State Legislator Attends
Ward Armstrong, a delegate in the Virginia Assembly who represents Patrick County, echoed that sentiment in comments citing the work of military personnel just before the bikers roared away.
“I don’t think we can ever appreciate enough the sacrifices these men and women are making to keep our freedom,� Armstrong said.
Citing a media presence at Saturday’s event, the state legislator added, “It’s important to get the message out to appreciate the men and women who protect our freedom.�
Bowman, Kerns’ stepfather, fought back emotion as he expressed gratitude to those participating in the ride: “I’d like to say thanks to everybody…it’s overwhelming.�
Darrell Bowling, a retired trooper with the Virginia State Police, also was in Ararat for Saturday’s ride. He could speak from the vantage point of a father who lost his son, Jonathan, a Marine killed in action in Iraq in 2005.
“We’re here today for J.B.,� Bowling told the assembled motorcyclists. “Your support means everything to the family.� Bowling said he knows what a difference this has made with his loss, and that he could not have done without people such as those in the biker groups. An annual ride is held in his son’s memory.
Soon, it was time for the bikers to strap on the helmets, and the colorful group bearing flags of their respective organizations prepared to leave along a fence adorned with the stars and stripes near Blue Ridge Elementary School.
The ride would be 54 miles long, Hayden said, leaving from Ararat and heading up Squirrel Spur and on to Meadows of Dan and then Stuart before completing the loop to Ararat.
But he wanted to make sure bikers noticed something significant on their way back, the cemetery containing the grave of Lt. Levee Barnard, another young man from Ararat who was killed in Iraq in 2009.
“It’s right down here,� Hayden gestured in the direction of Barnard’s final resting place.
“You’ll know it, ‘cause there’s flags everywhere.�
Tom Joyce can be reached at 719-1924 or tjoyce@mtairynews.com
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