DAY 6 Newark DE to Gettysburg PA

DAY 6
Newark DE to Gettysburg PA
80ish miles

Thank you, Delaware for providing breakfast!!!!

Here we are at Day 6… I’ve been uploading the day’s photos that night and then this year it has taken me until the next day to write that day’s blog. It has just taken me a bit longer to process the ride, physically and emotionally even though I’ve sat out most of this year to help in the support department.

Today, we graciously hosted by Rising Sun Rescue Squad, Eureka 45 in Stewartson, Pleasant Hill Volunteer Department, Bonneauville Rescue, and Gettysburg FD. I can’t say enough how EVERY stop is just absolutely phenomenal. And, we cannot thank you enough for taking the time, effort, and funds to welcome us to your house.

We rolled into a state park just outside of Gettysburg to group the cyclists together. There, Pleasant Hill Volunteer Department was there with smiles and plenty of food! Not to mention the beautiful scenery complete with a lake! Or maybe it was a river… Anyhow, it was beautiful. We then had a full escort into beautiful, historical Gettysburg. We rolled into the HUGE Gettysburg Fire Department. They had two aerial ladders set up with a huge American flag. I took several photos of the museum inside the building – incredible amount of history in one room. Gettysburg and the state of PA hosted a huge dinner and ceremony for the ride. The Chief of the Department was celebrating his 25 years of service and instead of going to that ceremony, he chose to host our dinner. The ceremony included the reading of this year’s LODD (the inductees into this year’s EMS Memorial). Pennsylvania dedicated a part of the evening to their LODD’s. A special tribute was made to Barry Nagle from Silver Springs Ambulance that went into cardiac arrest while on shift. There was a beautiful power point presentation with photos from his entire life including his funeral. I know I was not the only one crying…

Steve Berry (“I’m Not An Ambulance Driver”), our public information officer, said a few words last night at dinner that have really stuck with me. One thing that he said was that “good men will always die but their names never will.” He also spoke of our solidarity on the ride. We all know that our profession and public safety, in general, can be fragmented. Within even one city, fire, police, and EMS will be separate departments like what we have in Austin, Texas. And then we are separated by the city limits and county lines and state lines. But, here on the ride, we are one. It doesn’t matter whether it says “EMS” or “fire” on the front of the building. These local squads have gone above and beyond their own call of duty to make us feel welcome. From speaking with the members of these local squads, they are honored to have us visit their station and their town, city, and even state. But, it makes us feel good to come to these stations and hear THEIR stories. To hear THEIR stories of why this ride and the memorial is significant to them, to hear about THEIR loss(es). Like I said earlier in the week, these are not just names. Barry Nagle’s wife was at the ceremony last night and we had the opportunity to thank her for sharing his life with us for the evening. Every rider has a set of “dog tags.” Each set of dog tags has a name of an inductee. Each rider is then connected to someone and is reminded day in and day out of why they are here and remember that while climbing hill after hill after hill. Barry’s wife was able to receive his dog tag last night from the rider carrying his tags. Thank you for your dedicated service, RIP Barry Nagle. A huge thanks to Megan Hollinger, Program Coordinator, Emergency Health Services Federation, Inc. and Allen Baldwin, Fire Chief Gettysburg Fire Department (25 years of service!!).