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Good Will Day, 60th Anniversary Alexander Bay, New York 21.05.2011 |
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The visibility was very limited. The air was damp and quite cool. These were the conditions as 16 motorcycles and 19 members of Vimy rode through fog across the 1,000 Island bridge high above the St. Lawrence River. This was 1100am Saturday, May20.
We had gathered at the Canex on CFB Kingston an hour previously in preparation to attend the annual Good Will Day festivities, held this year at Alexandria Bay, New York. The wait at the border was long with 6 lines of traffic backed up to the Duty free store on the Canadian side. The group was dispersed and regrouped at a small park at the toll booth area where Highway 81 begins. It was just a short jaunt from there to our destination. Our group was welcomed with open arms and greeted warmly.
As a celebration it was small in comparison to others held by other host communities over the past several years but the enthusiasm was very visible. Pins, hats, t-shits, food and good conversation was readily available should one care to indulge in any or all of it. Several more members of Vimy were already there as part of their local Legion delegation. By this time, the weather had improved greatly with clear blue skies, bright sun and hot temperatures.
he highlight was a parade through part of the town with most of our contingent participating. The parade expressed the heart of the participating communities. With the exception of a pipe band, all other musical units were either high school or grade school. Strictly amateur It didn't matter. Their heart was in it. Everyone did their very best and the small crowd lining the sidewalks appreciated it.
I am not sure of the rules and regulations governing the American Legion, but I noticed several variations in their dress code. There were probably 6 or more American Legion or V.F.W. groups present and most had some variation of dress. Meanwhile, our Legionnaires were dressed alike with Blue Blazers and grey slacks. They looked, stood and marched proud.
With the main festivities over ,we regrouped at a motorhome owned by 'Woody". Drinks , snacks and a little social networking was indulged in . "Drifter", the senior ranking member, at the urging of Margaret was asked and rose to the occasion to crest a new member into Vimy. A. Burnett was added to the Vimy roster. He lives in Lansdown and is a piper. He had participated earlier in the parade.
Vimy met up with an American motorcycle unit called the "Combat Vets". We have ridden with them before and they offered to lead us to a car and motorcycle show in Clayton. That was a sight. 40 motorcycles with crests indicating three different clubs flying alone then highway. The car and motorcycle show, well we never got there. A bar called O'Brien's ended up being our destination. It was late, some of us weren't interested in drinking and driving, so we said our goodbyes and headed home.
We left with just 4 motorcycles, 6 members and had no trouble crossing back over the border. Probably one of the fastest crossing I have ever encountered. There was good ending to this tale. 2 of our small crowd had ever eaten at a small mom and pop diner situated just minutes off the route we were taking to go home. If you happen to be in the vicinity of Lansdown, drop into the Rapid Valley Family Restaurant. It is a eatery and gas bar at the corner of Reynolds Rd. and Highway #2.
Mr. B |