For the second year in a row, the MS Bikeathon was blessed with perfect weather. Participants included Brev Moore, Carroll and John Aucella, Pete Browne, and yours truly. Yet again, we established the team record for oldest average age (with my leadership for that) at the vaunted mark of 63 plus 2. Note that we count by prime integers. Left to right in this Official Event Photo are Brev, John, Carroll, Pete, and me.
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Terry's Team" riders in the MS Bikeathon
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Starting at Franklin Park (near Purcellville) on Saturday, we cycled 60 miles South to the Plains, then North through Middleburg, Purcellville, and East to the 4-H Fairgrounds near Leesburg. Sunday was a shorter route of about 40 miles that looped South then North to end back at Franklin Park. Pete and I only did the Saturday ride, while the others completed the entire 100 miles. Pete had a family gathering to attend, while some aches and pains convinced me of the better part of valor.
John and Carroll were the rabbits once again, with the rest of us only able to catch them when they stopped for lunch and at the 4-H Fairgrounds. It seems like their solid training routine (plus the rides over the mountains in Italy) really work. Oh well, we always promise ourselves to get in better shape for next year, maybe this time we will. The good news is that riding by the end of May protects us from the real heat of summer. The bad news is that poor weather in the spring can seriously cut into training time on the road. One opinion on the recent weather is that ever since Terry has gone to his reward, we have had an effective advocate for great Bikeathon conditions.
While still known to the MS Society as Terry's Team, we are all too aware of the seriousness of this disease. It is very inspiring to ride with the hundreds of cyclists that show up to make a statement and a stand against MS. While most riders are the age of our kids (or younger) each and every one is there on behalf of somebody else. It is a unique group, some of whom really labored to cover the miles. The MS Society has already raised over $480,000 from the riders, with pledges that will take them over $550,000. Terry's Team raised $2,500 toward a cure for MS and we will be out there again in 2007, the Good Lord willing.
Once again, let us thank each and every one of you who supported us with your prayers and contributions. Let me also suggest that you too could come out and ride next year, whether for 10 miles or more. The more the merrier, and the camaraderie is really super.
Record rainfall (June was the wettest month in 51 years for the D.C. area.) did not dampen the excitement of Induction Day for the Class of 2010. The dawn brought breaks in the clouds and, by the time the Induction Ceremonies commenced at 1800, Tecumseh Court was bathed in sunlight.
Our daughter Emily's reporting time was 0800. We got over to the Yard at 0700 and found a parking place right next to Alumni Hall for the day. About 0730, we got in the line of candidates and their parents to make our way toward the Melville Entrance to Alumni Hall. The Superintendent and Mrs. Rempt were there personally greeting each new Plebe and their family wishing them well. At 0750 Emily gave Patsy and me a hug and strode confidently and purposefully to the door into Alumni Hall where a Captain Chaplain greeted her. .
When we next saw her (after the official Oath of Office and Induction Ceremony) she looked a little tired but calm and happy to be there. She didn't have the "deer-in-the-headlights" look evident on the faces of many of her new classmates. We went to Smoke Hall for the "ceremonial" swearing in, took lots of pictures, and then back outside to visit and to await the time when the new Plebes formed up into their assigned Company and Platoon for the march (sort of) into Bancroft Hall for evening meal. .
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Emily '10 and Lanny Cox
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Administering the oath to his daughter
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Landon, Patsy, Emily, and Lanny Cox
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Yesterday, we got our first letter from Emily and she said she had made points with her cadre by being the only one in her squad who knew the words to Navy Blue and Gold! Having heard the song and joined in singing it at all appropriate occasions over the years I guess it just sunk in - although I'm sure the words she sings are not the revised "gender neutral" words now sung. .
A few minutes after we arrived home in Texas on July 3rd (after 3,412 miles of driving), the phone rang and it was Bob Harper. Bob said he had just seen the most recent Shipmate and had read about Emily's coming Induction with the Class of 2010. He said the local (Annapolis) classmates would be sure to look after her and extended an invitation for Emily to stop by the `63 Tailgate Tent after home football games to "wet her whistle" before walking back to the Yard. .
All in all, it was a wonderful trip. Emily's perseverance and determination to gain her place in the Brigade finally paid off after three Letters of Rejection from the Admissions Office. She (and her proud old Dad) are happy campers!
