Freedom Ride pays tribute to veterans

The American Legion Freedom Riders revved their engines Sunday along the Freedom Ride route for the 14th year, honoring the sacrifice of veterans fallen and alive.

Freedom Riders stop at Blue Star Memorial sites in St. Mary Parish to attend wreath-laying memorial services.

The St. Mary Parish War Memorial was the third site visit. It is located at the American Legion W.L. Bernauer Post 242 in Patterson.

“It helps bring recognition to the fallen all around but especially in St. Mary Parish,” Post Commander 242 Troy LaRive said.

Motorcycle enthusiasts participating in the ride were not all veterans. Even the founders of the American Legion Freedom Riders event were not veterans.

George “Cowboy” Rosson Jr. and his wife, Roe Rosson, wanted to find a way to honor military servicemen and women. Roe Rosson passed away five years ago.

Many, like Rosson, participate in the freedom ride to pay homage to family members and friends. Rosson’s father, George Rosson Sr., 93, is a World War II veteran.

Over the years, participation has fluctuated between 180 and 10. This year, close to 50 bikers participated in the freedom ride.

“It’s been small and big,” George Rosson Jr. said. “Right now, it’s regaining. We’re doing great now, trying to make a comeback.”

Because of health problems, Rosson has been unable to ride his motorcycle for the past two years. But it doesn’t stop him from participating. He continues to travel the route in a car with someone else driving.

Hybrids of St. Mary Parish motorcycle club members joined the ride.

Member Josh Breaux has ridden his motorcycle in a number of freedom rides.

“This is my first year doing this one,” Breaux said. “But I do it because I’m actually in the military and lost a few friends.”

Breaux is active with the National Guard in Hammond. Before that, he served for eight years in the U.S. Marine Corps. He was a sharp shooter and spent two years in Fallujah, Iraq.

“I switched over to the National Guard,” Breaux said. “My mom and sister were scared for me. So, I had to get out of the dangerous stuff into the not-so-dangerous stuff. I’m now a door gunner on a Blackhawk helicopter.”

The ride was the first for Ralph “Crash” Myers. His ride is dedicated to his younger brother, now serving in the Army.

Hybrids Vice President Jerry “Poor Butch” Robichaux is a Vietnam veteran. He was pleased with the number of riders.

“This morning we had a good crowd. We’ve had a lot better crowd than we’ve had in years.”

Robichaux rides his motorcycle each year “to honor dead soldiers.”

“I had friends that were killed in Vietnam,” Robichaux said. “It was really bad when we came in the first time. Since Iraq and all that stuff, we’ve been recognized a little more, and I feel a little better.

“But I was really down. I mean, it was terrible coming home to what we came home to.”

The soldiers’ sacrifice has not gone unnoticed by young people.

Brian Landry, 13, has participated in Memorial Day programs for a couple of years with his grandfather, LaRive. He played taps on his trumpet during the memorial service. He is also a member of the Sons of American Legion.

“We are honoring the veterans that didn’t come home, that were lost in war,” Landry said. “ Me playing taps represents our sorrows to the family and our respect to the families.”

Landry wants to join the military after high school. He will enter ninth grade at Patterson High School in August.

“I don’t know if TOPS is going to be around,” Landry said. “So I was going to go into the military, then hopefully get out and still go to college. I want my major to be music.

“I’d like to go into the Marine Corps. But not just into the Marine Corps. I want to become a sniper.”

Watching his grandfather, Landry “is inspired to do good for our country.”

The Freedom Riders site stops were at Morgan City Municipal Auditorium, Berwick Blue Star Memorial, Patterson Post 242, Franklin Peace Memorial, and Chitimacha Veterans Memorial.

The Freedom Ride is now an event that coincides with the 2nd Annual Freedom Fest Memorial Day weekend.

“I like what they’re doing with Freedom Fest to coincide with it,” LaRive said. “It’s helping to bring more attention to the ride. It also brings more attention to the monument and to the fallen.”

With all the good eating and fun-filled events over the weekend, it’s important not to forget Memorial Day’s purpose.

“We want you to celebrate it,” LaRive said. “We want you to enjoy the freedom that they’ve died for, that’s why they died.

“Honor them in the process,” LaRive said. “Say a prayer for them before your meal. Stop for five minutes in silence just to remember and honor them. That’s all we ask.”