2026 SandBox – Day 2

Our day started at the Mall. Breakfast, our mandatory meeting. It’s something expected and we get safety briefings about construction and so on. Information is good.

A bio is read every day of one who died. It’s hard for the reader to get through without tears. Kevin Lucas … may we never forget. Say their names.

Top related a First Responder story about BK, a third generation firefighter. He died yesterday in a fire. But he helped save five people. We said his name.

We have a Gold Star family going with us. Their son is Kevin J. Ellenburg. U.S. Navy. We said his name out loud. He will not be forgotten.

We say their names out loud because as long as they’re recognized they will not be forgotten.

Then we went to the St. Clairsville City Hall (Belmont County) for a Memorial Day Ceremony. It was described as a Norman Rockwell kinda event. And that’s true.

As we rode to downtown the street was lined with flags. Many houses also have flags. What a wonderful day to be an American.

The bikes get parked on the street, several wide, and we wander over for opening statements and presentations. Retired Major General Batts was the Keynote Speaker. He had so many accomplishments, medals and titles it would take a whole page.

He said it was initially called Decoration Day and was meant to lay flowers on graves of fallen soldiers. It’s become commercialized now and people have forgotten what Memorial Day is. He said it’s a loss of respect and dignity. It’s not about buying a barbecue or lawn furniture, or running to the beach. It’s become to the average citizen a distortion. It’s lost so much meaning of what the day is supposed to be … a day to remember those who have fallen. A day to express gratitude. It’s about those who have died.

Of course the band and the Flag Corps are highlights. These young people are so accomplished it’s a privilege to hear and see them. In addition, there was a firing salute and the playing of taps.

St. Clairsville is a historic town and a beautiful one. It’s small-town. It has a huge Memorial Day event remembering our fallen and parades in Fourth of July. All the things many of us grew up with.

We present plaques to those who have helped us get here, who have fed us, who have had an event that we could be a part of on this special day.

A couple of us stopped at an overpass to take video/photos of the pack coming through. Then we played catchup.

The motor police blocked ramps but there was also a rolling roadblock that was a thing of beauty. The motor police went back and forth across all the lanes of traffic effectively backing the traffic up behind them. It was like a choreographed dance with flashing blue lights.

Vehicles behind us were four across, covering all the lanes. The vehicles behind us were lined up like in a NASCAR race waiting for the flag to drop. It was really kind of cool.

After lunch at the VFW 5434 there was a breakout group to a memorial in Greenfield, Indiana. Again, small town America and their beautiful memorials. There’s nothing like it.

Plaques were presented and Siren sang the National Anthem. It was moving. A beautiful day. Memorial Day.

Later there were two fire trucks on an overpass with a huge

flag hanging between them. How could you see that and not be patriotic and proud to be an American.

Sandbox Route ended the day at Hunter’s Moon Harley in Lafayette, Indiana. There was food and plaques were presented. But the highlight was a guest speaker, a Gold Star mom. Gold Star families have gone above and beyond by having a family member lost in the line of service.

Special guest speaker, Pam, found it difficult to speak. She said it’s hard to express even 19 years later. Her youngest son at 22, Cody was a great athlete. He loved his family.  He rose to the top when he joined the Army. He would have made a great general. She said she was so proud of him.

He’d just been home for R&R 15 days before he was killed. Many families don’t get that time.

She said she’s honored that we honor and remember them.

Corporal Cody Andrew Putman. Say his name.

Sandbox presented the  family a shadow box with a flag and medals. A great way to end a RFTW Sandbox Memorial Day.

Peppermint Patti

SITREP Writer

• Heroism: “It doesn’t take a hero to order men into battle. It takes a hero to be one of those men who goes into battle.”  General H. Norman Schwarzkopf