Day 4 - Annapolis, MD to Manassas, VA

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Today did not start off to well. I woke up to rain … and … I received a phone call at 5:45am from one of our support people. NorthStar EMS-1 was broken into during the night. Someone smashed out the passenger front window and took the GPS (Gretta) and the cell phone. It also happened to the Blacksburg unit. So we spent the better part of the morning figuring out how to get things fixed and get back into the ride. Also, because of the morning rain and safety issues, everyone was bussed to the first rest stop. The local media caught wind of the vandalism and was at the first rest stop to cover the story. Included are several links regarding our misfortune:

News Clip-1
News Clip-2
News Clip-3
News Clip-4 with Video
New Clip-5 with Awesome Video Report

We had another Memorial Service at the Capitol Heights FD for one of their own. You can’t imagine the emotion at each of these memorial services. We are 60+ riders from 23 states and Ireland that ride to member those that have made the ultimate sacrifice by giving up their gives servicing the people from their local communities. Most of us have never met these folks, but we stand and listen with the deepest sorrow as the family, friends and co-workers speak of the life of one of their own. And when you look around, we are shedding a tear and consoling each other – because we also feel the loss.

Team Maine leaves EMS-1 in the hand of the Support Staff to continue the ride. We do the window fixed – and a local glass company donates the windows and labor – as his way of thanking us for what we are doing.

On the way to Washington, DC under police escort, we ride in parade format. All the intersections are blocked as we ride to Senate Park, across from the Capitol Building. There had to be legislature passed to allow us to be in Senate Park for a Memorial Service. Team Maine had the opportunity (pre-arranged) to visit with Senator Snowe. We received a mini tour of the Capitol Building, rode the underground subway and met With Senator Snowe – photo op and all. We stressed to Senator Snowe the importance of legislation HR-3822 that set up death benefits for EMS providers (hospital base & volunteer services), similar to what’s in pale for fire departments. Senator Snowe was presented with a National EMS Memorial Bike Ride wrist bracelet. A staff photographer was on hand for a photo op – signed pictures to be forwarded at a later date.

When we came out of the Capitol Building our group was gone (we have to keep to the schedule) – so with a few phone calls and some logistical planning, we rejoined the group for the rest of the day – some of us sagging out for a stretch or two to rest the sore muscles.

But, no matter what obstacles we face, not mater what road blocks we come to (vandalism), no matter the weather, no what pain we are in ... we ride to remember ....