Hope it shows up okay. I can't preview it on my handheld. My dad wrote this and attached to his resume at some point. We found it after he kicked the bucket.
Posted on 06/08/2007 7:28:18 PM PDT by RedRover
The main compliment of riders will be veterans of all branches of our military who are fed up with the way the Marine Corps and the political community are treating the Marines, mainly the men of Kilo Company, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, the “Thundering Third.”
These Marines fought in Haditha and returned home the champions that they are, only to find themselves indicted on charges from murder to cover-up.
These charges have stemmed from an incorrect article in Time magazine, as well as some politicians who seem to have jumped to conclusions without stopping to get facts.
The facts were brought forth by men, such as a Bronze Star winning Intelligence Officer who viewed the whole incident by unmanned camera aircraft and accumulated log books and reams of data that exonerates all the Marines of K/3/1. This evidence seems to be pushed aside by the politically motivated opportunists.
The question now arises for the parents and family of military individuals on deployment in Iraq...
That is politically incorrect!
The veterans of the past and family of current military are not going to stand for it.
On Saturday morning, June 23, 2007 at 8AM veterans from the Northwest will meet at the South Center Mall in Tukwila, Washington, and prepare to depart at 9AM for destination Main Gate, Camp Pendleton.
We plan to arrive sometime Thursday, June 28th.
We don’t intend to block traffic of cause any discomfort whatsoever to other Americans. We fought for their rights, too and we intend to make their day, not wreck their day.
At this late date it is realized that some who would want to go, but can’t, may want to ride a short distance to show they’re support. Our colors will be Old Glory, the Stars and Strips will fly from the back of each motorcycle.
Some of the riding veterans will carry a container for donations to be given to the Defense Fund upon arrival at Camp Pendleton.
This ride is open to every American who wants to support our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. Those who don’t have motorcycles or can’t ride will want to go to the overpasses near their homes and wave flags as the motorcycles travel down Interstate 5.
Normal regrouping locations will be the numerous Rest Stops along the way. We will ride daylight hours only, because our intentions are visibility to American Citizens, so that we may all show support together.
Veterans and military family members from other parts of the country who want to participate may want to meet the ride at some location on Interstate 5 that is more convenient to their location. This ride is spontaneous and is designed to meet every American’s desire to show support to our military heroes.
We want “No Man Left Behind.”
This thread will be updated with itinerary and progress reports so you can join the ride as it passes through your community or just give them your support!
For ride information, contact Don Dinsmore at ddingo630@aol.com, and view DonDinsmore.com.
Bump what you said, Spirit! It’s going to be a great ride to Camp Pen and a great afternoon there. Freepmail me for Don Dinsmore’s phone number if you want to hear more about it from the horse’s mouth!
I’ll be in Texas at that time.
But, the least I can do is bump the thread!
Thank you!
Just like the Patriot Guard, I’ll bet that vehicles will be more than welcome. Give ‘em a shout.
I got it red and I’ve passed it on to the Eagles (local Abate riding club), the LAFD Fire Hogs AND another two or three riding groups (USMC Vets, among others). Trust me - I’m taking care of Southern Cal and hope to have a good turn out on my end of the ride.
I will be camping on San-O that weekend on base. If the riders are still in the area - would love to share a seat around the bonfire on the beach with them and hear all about their ride down!
Thanks for sharing with me - I’ll continue to forward to all I know. Wish I had a bike to ride with them!
That’s great, Sweetie! We’ll set up an e-mail distribution list in addition to updates on this thread.
BTW, you could riding in one of those sidecar things. Though when I have, I always feel like Sgt. Schultz!
Boy - do I wish I lived on the West Coast. I would join this group in a heartbeat. Even though I don’t have a clue as to how to drive a motorcycle I’d hitch a ride with someone. What a wonderful and giving group. They should be proud of themselves. I AM!
_________________________
Semper Fi Mom.
You can be confident that we will stand with you. Our sons fought shoulder to shoulder and now it is our turn, AND WE WILL PREVAIL!!!
Don Dinsmore,
Capt Jeff Dinsmore's Dad
Hope it shows up okay. I can't preview it on my handheld. My dad wrote this and attached to his resume at some point. We found it after he kicked the bucket.
Thanks, Red, what a man to be proud of. Your dad did more than his share being one of the greatest generation but thank God there were others like him and we enjoy our freedoms now because of them.
Don Dinsmore set out this morning from Seattle, Washington. Destination: The gates of Camp Pendleton, Oceanside, California.
He will be traveling 1,220 miles over the next five days down Interstate 5...
Here's his itinerary:
He'll be traveling today and tonight through Washington state and north Oregon. By tomorrow, he expects to make it to Medford, Oregon.
On Monday, June 25th, he expects to hit the great city of Redding, California.
On Tuesday, June 26th, possibly Stockton, California.
On Wednesday, June 27th, in Bakersfield and south through Los Angeles.
In Los Angeles, Don (and riders who've joined him en route) will join forces with Gathering of Eagles rides who will all head down to Oceanside on Thursday, June 28, in the early afternoon.
That's the plan as I understand it from Don (who'll correct me if I'm wrong I'm sure!)
Don will be e-mailing reports and photos from the road leading up to the big day at the gates of Camp Pendleton. So check back whenever you're wondering, Where the heck is Don now?
In an e-mail, Don says...
We are on our ride to support the Haditha 3/1. We just passed through Portland, Oregon and are Starbucksing it.
Had to work late last night so had to pass up emails, so am trying to let every one know that "No Man Left Behind" is on track.
Col. Atterbury said to me, "Oh, it's so nice that you came to give your Son moral support."
I answered, "I'm not here to give Capt. Dinsmore moral support, Sir, I'm here to watch his back, Semper Fi, Sir."
We are coming to watch your backs and make sure that no Marine is left behind.
Don Dinsmore
In case I missed you with the ping...
BUMP! for Don Dinsmore and his ride.
Nice job on laying out the maps, Red.
Pinging myself to remembering to be there on Thursday. We live near Camp Pendleton.
I feel the same way! I wish this would have happened when we were there last week. I would have loved to have met and hugged everyone doing this. What wonderful people they are!
OUTSTANDING
Red Rover, Red Rover let Don come on over.
Red! How wonderful that you found this.
Here's Don Dinsmore's report for the day of June 23, 2007...
Stopped for the night 10 miles from Roseburg, Oregon. Can't set up a tent in a Rest Stop, so it's sleeping bags and air mattresses.
We will meet a 3/1 Support Parent in Grants Pass as he waves Old Glory with us when we ride by.
A side note about the Dingo on the Motorcycle [see photos above], His name is Ditto and he is calling "OORAH' as we depart.
He rode for a little while with us, but the heat from the California sun would fry him, I think. He can't take his coat off. So he turned back home with Mommy, in the car.
As parents of Marines we need to get involved now and get training on how we can support our Defenders "before" they get into trouble. There are definite ways to counter the accusations and charges. And believe me parents can be the best Third Base Coaches.
As an example, on Capt. Jeff's first 18 hour interrogation I told him to turn his phone to vibrate. "I will call you Jeff." He said "Dad I won't be able to answer the phone." I said, I don't expect you to answer, but when it vibrates against your leg you will know that I am right there with you and you aren't there by yourself. Not alone is one of the most important things that we can do for them. And Dads can do it best.
Don Dinsmore
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