European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - July 10, 1994, Darmstadt, Hesse Page 2 memories of a Day John Weeber there were numerous ceremonies in last months Celebration of the 50th Annever sary of the a Day landings in Normandy. Included was la voice la Liberty Road of Liberty bicycle tour. It did not have the Glamour or pomp of the ceremonies and dedications featuring National leaders. It did not have the drama of the multiple Parachute drops nordic it accurately portray a precise piece of history like the Omaha Beach Landing re enactment. It was simply 550 riders from 10 countries retracing the glorious push of Gen. Patton s 3rd army across France and. Luxembourg. After 11 Days and More than 1,000 Miles the tour ended at the site of the Battle of the bulge in Bastogne Belgium. When i applied for a position in the Road of lib. Erty bicycle tour the initial Appeal was the Promise of Riding 100 Miles a Day through some of the most Beautiful parts of Northern France. All i was looking for was an organized ride that would test me physically and Supply ample fodder for my eyes. After the third 100-mile Day the physical Chab Lenge of the tour no longer mattered As i helped Lay a Wreath at the Tomb of the unknown Soldier at the american cemetery in St James France i realized what the tour was really All. About. Only a couple of Days earlier at the same cemetery 5,000 pigeons were released. Each one represented the soul of a fallen american service member. They were homing pigeons brought in. From England a and now they were returning with a very precious cargo. We the riders of the Road of Liberty were like those pigeons. We returned to the places our fellow countrymen fought and died in vast numbers All in the name of Liberty. We were in our own Little Way reliving what our opening laugh ��?��?��?��?��1-.triv.v.p&Quot-1 ? a i h via 1 i�?T-ii1 111 v1 / a Oflga a i 11 nov i a a a a Ivy it a via i w i a a a il1 v Iii Ivia i .i/,11 a t a i i.1 i Ai a iii1. 1., 1 Mai Tremko St. Petersburg Russia. V .mw.-1 a amps Ken George bikers on he Road of Liberty ride on june 18 Between Etc Bruck Luxembourg and Bastogne Belgium. Grandfathers fathers uncles and others had to contend with 50 years ago. Like the warriors of a half Century ago we were outfitted with uniforms. We All wore the same Orange jerseys. Our group was comprised of officers enlisted and civilians cutting across All of the four services. Civilians from the United states Rode alongside servicemen from Germany. Like the Brave men of 50 years ago the tour played no favourites to the Rich the poor the Black or the White. We ate slept and Rode together. Our comradeship was built not on rank or social status but on the simple fact that we All had to face the same 160 Kilometres each Day Quot a a a. A like those of Patton a 3rd army our push across the continent was at a Pace that offered Little free time. We averaged five hours of sleep each night. We were Lucky to get one hot meal each Day. The essentials in life a extra bread fresh water and toilet paper a were Squirrel led away with the knowledge that there would be future shortages. Although we had a roof Over our Heads each night the living conditions were cramped. Usually All 550 of us were Sar dined into a single gymnasium. Hot showers were for the Lucky first few. In spite of this we persevered. Nothing can compare to the death and injury suffered by our forces 50 years ago but Many in the tour paid a painful Price. There were five to 10 aces dents every Day. 1 saw some spectacular Multi Bike pileup that left Many cyclists broken and bleeding. Strains and sprains put Many Good riders on the sides. The Hills and heat claimed several More. Like the men who marched this same route 50 years earlier the pain and suffering Only made us stronger. us together in a Way that a ceremony or dedication at a Monument could not. Like our liberators of 50 years ago we also shared in the glory. As we passed through each town along Patton a route we were greeted with cheers. Chib Dren lined streets waving flags. At rest and meal stops we were sometimes joined by focal bands that pleated out old marching songs and National anthems. I will not forget the elderly lady in a wheelchair sitting in the cold rain alongside the Road one Early morning waving and cheering a Viva la Liberia a her emotion and enthusiasm carried me along for the rest of that particularly difficult Day. The Liberty tour As we americans called it was More than a challenging Bike ride. It was stepping Back 50 years and becoming a part of the rebirth of a nation. It was feeling in our own Little Way what it was like to go from tyranny to Triumph for the fortunate few who were touched by the ride the memories will last a lifetime. A tech sgt. John Weeber is stationed in Stuttgart Germany. Send in your column plus photo of yourself to be our guest sunday Magazine the stars and stripes Apo a 09211 or Postrach 11 14 37, d-64278 Darmstadt Germany. If mailing disk save text in Asci and include printout. Columns Are edited for clarity and length. Contents from the cover ._____4-5 when we see movies. A Wyatt Earp. 6-7 Kevin Costner and Mare Wirin Ingham. Talk shows. 8 Here comes America s talking. Side gets. 9 Andy Rooney on the . Simpson Case. Odds amp ends 10 Erma Bombeck tries focusing on ., Aba. In tune u Gennifer Flowers on the air. A this weeks films .12-13 military circuit listings. A Chuck Emch bored with Quot Wyatt Earp. Television listings 14-17 local Cable and satellite schedules. Home entertainment. 18 video westerns. A american gladiators .19 battling for ratings. Voices 20-21 the Black experience. Joe Bob Briggs on blame. ,. Words amp wit 22-23 Tony Konheiser Down on the fourth Charles Osgood fills the Kuralt void. Books. 24-25 leasing out at men. Words on of. Simpson. What a in stuttering John comes in loud and Clear. On Parade .27 Sandra Bullock Steps on the pedal last laugh 28 Dave Barry in tune. Sunday is a weekly supplement of the stars and stripes editor Bucky Fox cover Story design Susan Harris production Bernard Jensen editorial assistance Louis d. Pierce sunday july 10.1994
