European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - June 27, 1994, Darmstadt, Hesse I r. A a a a. A a England or English Channoi ?.uraj i Chambola Voie de Liberia \ Belgium 1 Bastogne Jwj a Ger. Quot w lemans Lux i reims i Luse Boug Paris j01. A Metel Fontan bleat f r a n c e a a. A Sas to Fitch Lunger continued front Pago t5 thu captured the purpose of the tour. The. Tourist town of 11,000 provided a heroes Welcome. A the tour route generally followed that of it. Gen. Georges Patton or a 3rd army As it pushed across France in 1944 and into Bastogne. Patton s troops relieved the 701stairborne division which had been surrounded by German troops in Adolf Hitler s last major counteroffensive of the War a the Battle of the bulge. Among the riders at this annual event was Beatrice Britton one of Patton s granddaughters. She was joined by her husband Peter and their daughter and a Cousin. Many of the cyclists were older frenchmen but it was the younger americans who were most popular with Bastogne s senior citizens. Many said they would not them. Brig. Gen. James f. Hennessee Deputy chief of staff for resource management at . Army Europe and 7th army told the crowd during a 50-minute ceremony that events such As the Liberty tour help Quot to make sure the Torch of Freedom is never extinguished Quot Overall 118 americans including 79 with . Forces in Europe made the historic trek. Quot there s not a Dud in the Bunch Quot said Nielsen. But like the other bikers Nielsen was glad when it was Over. Quot i can t wait to sleep in a real bed Quot and get a hot Shower Nielsen said. A amps photos by Ken George left streaking toward Bastogne. Above end of thed Rait smiles from Anna and army 1st it. Tyler Fitzgerald of Schweinfurt. Right a travelling Bike repairman earns his pay. Air Force tech sgt Wayne Bartlett sketches the mar Dasson memorial at Bastogne. Air Force sergeant draws his Way along the Liberty tour 1 by Jon Connor Slaff writer re 771 or Wayne Bartlett the Road of Liberty Bike tour offered More than Beautiful scenery it also provided an unusual artistic Opportunity. Bartlett 33, an air Force technical sergeant je�l1 stationed at Raf Mildenhall England had intended to Lake photographs to illustrate his Day by Day journal of the 1,000-Milo trek. However he dropped his camera and broke it at the outset. Seizing on his penchant for doodling Bali left simply took up pen and paper to lend visual images to his written description. The results captivated Many of his fellow travellers who were impressed by Iris drawings of landmarks and other Monument along the Trail. \ i Bartlett was Low key about to work. What else was there to do during the two hour Waits for lunch he asked. His drawings include a Bridge at vendome France a water Fountain at a Cathedral in be mans France and the arc Detriomphe in Paris. I be said he will Send the journal and drawings to his wife who lives and works in the states so she can share his 11-Day trip through Franr a Belgium and Luxembourg. Bartlett who Heads a maintenance team that diagnoses the condition of aircraft said he considers himself a. Runner not a cyclist. He said he s finished seven marathons and a 50-mile run. However Quot the rides Are Beautiful Quot he said of the tour. Quot the problem is the foot Quot. Bartlett said he just could t get enough f a gtd and what he did gel he did t find very appetizing. As another cyclist put it there was Quot bread bread and bread and More yet Bartlett said he Hopes to take the ride again Only next time hell bring his own munchies. After the ceremony in Bastogne that concluded the hike tour Bartlett added the final drawing to his journal that of the unique Star shaped american in the City. A spiralling staircase at die Monument leads to a breathtaking View of the rolling farmlands. Quot i really Felt Lucky Quot to ire a Purl of the Lake tour said Bartlett who was chosen to carry the american Flag into Bastogne. Quot especially on the last . A Jon in Tor. Abm e Many of the european riders were older males but a there was t a wimp in the group Quot said one american. Right privacy was nonexistent at night Bartlett s journal doodles included the famous pans Arch and a French country chalet. 16 the stars and stripes monday 27, 1 994 the stars and stripes 17
