As I recall Terry Bruning sent me an e-mail about Jeremy just before 5th District meeting and asked if I thought we could help out. Dept. CMDR Simons was in town on personal business and came by the post before the meeting and asked how feasable I thought the project was and outlined how he thought it should be handled. I told him we would do our best to make him happy.
I went to Mrs Creamer's (Jeremy's Grandmother) House to get a feel for the project and confirm the 2nd hand info as exactly what was needed as some of the info seemed contradictory as to the extent of his injury and his mobility. I then contacted Madison County Service Officer Jay Randolph who is also Post 266 and 5th District service officer for help in cutting any red tape we might run into. He had the go ahead that same day. Post 266 Commander Lew Goodwin assured me the post would cover any undonated materiel and he would round up some help. We met at the Anderson Lowe's store where when I explained the situation, showed them a drawing, and gave them an list of estimated materiel. We took the list to the manager who immediately gave us a 50% discount when we explained the situation. I promised some publicity to the store and was told that wasn't why they were doing it.
The ramp as built bore little resemblence to my sketch but ended up much better thanks to the ideas of the two men Lew brought. One was a professionalo carpenter who took the day off from making a living to help. When I asked his address to mail a thank you letter , he refused to give it. He said knowing he helped another vet was all the thanks he needed or wanted. Using his modifications we built the ramp with the idea of being able to salvage and reuse the pieces under similar circumstances. Five of us were able to complete a 30 foot by 46 inch wide ramp in about 6 hours in 90 plus temprature. Mrs Creamer and her sister kept us well supplied with ice tea, lemonade, and water. The liquids were a lifesaver.
The ramp was built on Monday the 25th as that was when the help was available. Jeremy and his family was expected in on the 28th but we didn't know which airport or the time of arrival as they had a donated flight and were dependent on another persons schedule. Commander Simons had arranged for Rolling Thunder as an escort but we didn't tell Jeremy in case something went wrong. It was a good thing we didn't tell because he ended up coming in at midnight and it would have been too dangerous to try to convoy that many bikes over several miles of country roads. Commander Simons, Post 266 Commander Lew Goodwin, State Purple Heart Association Commander Larry Shaw and I met his plane and drove him and his family to his Grandmother's house and left the family alone until it was time to leave.
Without telling him, we decided to try the motorcycle escort again when he left as he had to be at the airport in Anderson at 6 PM on Sunday the31st. We told him we would pick him up at 5 PM. I got there a little early and was talking to the family when we heard bikes. One of them said" What in the world?" . I said "Hope you don't mind. We have a little suprise For you." He put on a big grin and said "Cool". Lew had asked about bringing some of the Anderson ABATE bikes and said he thought he could get a dozen or so. I had told him to go for it and was stunned when I stepped outside and saw about 75 bikes and over 100 people lined up to thank Jeremy for his service and sacrifice. I noticed I wasn't the only one in a tough crowd with dust in the eye. The entire family was excited and happy, and Jeremy was in his element. Especially when he got a ride on the back of a beautiful red Harley trike. They were gone about 15 minutes and I began to worry about getting to the airport on time. No sweat. They got back about the same time Commander Simons arrived with Rolling Thunder. Final total on bikes was 97 with close to 150 riders and passengers.
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We got under way close to on time and the convoy stretched out nearlyto a half mile with Jeremy in my car in the middle. His wife, mother, and son rode with the bikers. The bikers left us at the airport and Commander Lew and I watched lift off before leaving. I talked to his grandmother the next day to make sure we had everything put back together properly and she thanked us again and said seeing the love and concern for Jeremy Helped her deal with her own grief over the loss of her husband.
Jeremy is a fine young man of 34 and will do just fine. His family is loving and supportive. At the airport we started to help him into the plane but his wife didn't seem to want our help. He was her husband and they would do it together. They did, and with that love and togetherness they can do anything. I admire them both. Jeremy stepped on a land mine pressure plate in Panjwai, Afghanistan on April 21st this year and lost both legs from just above the knees down. He expects another two years of rehab before being medically retired.
The pilot who provided the plane, fuel and time to make two round trips to San Antonio, TX very reluctantly agreed to have his name appear in print as like the carpenter he isn't in it for the glory. Upon reflection, I don't want to make him uncomfortable and will respect his feelings and identify him only as a very kind doctor from the Indianapolis area. We thank him from the bottom of our heart.
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