Re-connecting around wheels and shared history

Many light years ago I was an exchange student in Vienna Virginia living with the Johnson/Fountain Family. I was 16. That's when I met Patty who was a few years older than me. She took me under her wing and showed me around. Patty and I have this shared history with the Johnson/Fountain family who we still keep in touch with - and the school we went to - James Madison High School. We went biefly back to our stomping ground - here's a picture of the home I lived in as an exchange student with Martha, Dan and Tucker - that Patty too stayed in and a couple of shots of our school.

 I can still remember bits of the Warhawk school chant. I made my sisters laugh when I tried to chant it accompanied by bad cheerleader movements.

Another connection Patty and I have - as it turns out - is with motorcycles and cars. Patty has remained connected to both - although my connection with my Kwaka 250Z and my Hillman Hunter Twin Carbi with mag wheels are long gone. It was wonderful to connect with Patty again after all this time. We spent much of the day with her Harley Owners Group (Hog) at the local Harley distributor in the lead up to Memorial Day commemorations which remembers those Americans who have died in service. On this day nearly a million motor cyles converge on Washington DC as part of the  Rolling Thunder Run . It is the worlds largest single-day motorcycle event. It formed in the aftermath of the Vietnam War to highlight issues around Vietnam prisoners of war and those missing in action. The run includes thousands of US Veteran riders. One of the things as an Australia New Zealander that I've noticed is how many more Veterans there are in the USA than in Australia or NZ - they are a visible presence in every day life including women veterans.

Here's what caught my eye. I start first with my friend Patty directing motorcycle traffic.

The history of engagement in war is a long one in America: Memorial Day has its origins in the American Civil War. Interestingly Patty and her husband live very very close to the Civil War Manassas National Battlefield Heritage Park. You don't have to go far afield in Virginia (or Maryland for that matter) to find evidence of the Civil War in the landscape.  War is never a happy event. There is great loss of life and great injury. Some wars bring peace, some don't. But may all who are impacted by war including veterans and their families find peace. And thanks to Fairfax Harley Owner Group (HOG) for being so welcoming of someone who didn't look like them, but who not-so-secretly appreciates the beautiful design/s of Harley's.

Patty thank you for being a wonderful host. I think your number plate sums it up best! See you next time.