by Andy Bowyer
Thursday Rev-Up: Veteran's Day
Thursday, November 11, 2010 | 3:53 PM
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Hello, everyone, and welcome to the Rev Up. Today is a somber holiday, yet it serves as a reminder to celebrate our freedom. Veterans Day hits very close to me in a couple ways. For starters, the first "All Veterans Day" celebration took place in my hometown of Emporia, Kansas. The date used to be coined Armistice Day to recognize World War I soldiers, but a local Emporia man lobbied to congress to alter the day of remembrance to honor soldiers of all foreign wars and conflicts. In addition, both of my grandfathers served in the armed forces. My Grandpa Tomson was in the navy and would tell us stories about being stationed in Oakland, California, and the first time he boarded a ship. He saw footprints all the way up the side of the hull, and with him being a landlocked Kansas boy, he wearily asked, "How could those footprints have possibly reached that high on the side of the ship?" To which his superior coldly replied, "You’ll see." My Grandpa Bowyer was an officer in the army in WWII. He earned a Distinguished Service Cross for valor when he and his men overcame a German heavy machine gun to capture a muddy and snow-covered position in France. I have a steadfast appreciation for our veterans. I visited Arlington National Cemetery and have seen the Changing of the Guard. Our vets have allowed us to live the American Dream and have provided a platform for a couple motocross related stories I wanted to touch on this week.
photo: Steve Cox
I suppose one of the coolest things I saw this week was Carey Hart’s interview on Racer X Online. I met Carey over fifteen years ago at the Denver Arenacross. We were both racing on our own out of the back of Ford vans. We both probably had less than $1,000 to our names. To sit and listen to Carey speak during that interview blew my mind. He’s still the same mellow-spoken guy I met in the shitbox Ford van with Nevada tags, but today he’s married to one of the largest pop singers of modern times, plus he co-owns a world-renowned and respected tattoo shop and a motocross team that could see podium time in 2011. I could only shake my head after his interview and think, "Only in America." Good for him.
And how cool it is to see Jeremy McGrath still riding supercross? I don’t know about all of you, but I still appreciate what McGrath did for the sport and regard him as perhaps our greatest ambassador. Nobody won as much, had as much fun, and came off as cool as Showtime. And while he doesn’t exactly have a rags to riches story, he did go from bagging groceries at a Vons store to become the greatest supercross racer to ever live. His seventy-two wins will never be touched, but more than that, he is one of the most recognized icons in all of motorsports. His nac-nac logo mirrors Michael Jordan’s slam-dunk icon. They say to truly brand yourself, you need to be recognized by your silhouette alone. Like Richard Petty’s side profile with his western hat, McGrath is the only motocross racer to ever accomplish this. Only in America, folks.
Meanwhile, Ricky Carmichael and James Stewart’s stories are totally rags-to-riches. My man RC lived in a motor home for a couple years, but today he has his own pilot and a really big damn house. James Stewart is the first African-American supercross champion in our sport’s history. Nobody ever makes that point, but I think it’s a poignant symbol of the freedom Americans have been provided. Things could have been a lot different had our veterans not stopped the press of evil and tyranny.
We like to complain about taxes and censorship and laws, but we have it better here than anywhere in the world. Motocross is a great reflection of American freedom. We have white champions, black champions, deaf champions, French champions. Anybody that can throw a leg over and twist it has the same chance as anyone else. Remember this when you’re tailgating somebody on the highway with a veteran’s symbol on their license plate.
Like I said, Veterans Day is quite somber, and it should be. Our generation will hopefully never know what it was like to live the way our grandparents did. But we still have war and conflict. There are still Americans fighting and dying to protect our freedom to ride motocross and post our stories on freaking Facebook. I suppose my message this week is to respect and appreciate our vets and honor them by living every day to the fullest. This is the land of the free, home of the brave. Let's keep it that way.
Thanks for reading, see you next week.
photo: Simon Cudby
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Only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you. 1. Jesus Christ 2. The American G.I. "One died for your soul, the other for your freedom!" You might want to pass this on, As many seem to forget both of them!
Nice article Andy. I truly appreciate it and the reminder to all to take the time today to thank a veteran for his service and to also mention that he lost friends and to thank him for their sacrafice. These guys sign a blank check for up to, and including ,their lives. I have been to Arlington as well and have witnessed the changing of the gaurd and it was an honor as well as sobering to see. We all need to remember these guy and gals have earned and deserve respect.
Many thanks to all that are serving or have served out country to keep us riding motocross....as for the Carey Hart section, i have problem with this part....."he co-owns a world-renowned and respected tattoo shop"....the shop makes money, but is not respected by tattoo world. I've seen a a bunch of hacked worked come outta there. I doubt you will see any tattooers with real top notch talent ever work there....sorry Carey.
Agreed 100%, tikimoto, God Bless The USA! and the men and women who have served and still serve they have , thank you for what you do! Many have died, been disabled and some return scarred mentally, These pampered athletes have no clue what a real hero is!
Thanks to all that serve.
Right on!
thanks veterans! I dont know about anybody else, but I still get a tingly feeling during the national anthem. especially at events as cool as supercross or a national when I think of all the men and women that died fighting for us to be free, and making it possible for us have such awesome events!
Andy Bowyer, You want to hear something really really crazy. As a 28 year military veteral (Army Aviation) I can say the Moto Sub-Culture gave back to me. On my most recent Iraq deployment what I looked most forward to (other than living) was the races my wife recorded and sent over to me faithfully, as well as forwarding my racer X, MXA, Transworld MX, and MXP, oh and Road Racer X as well. Not to say that, that was all that mattered, it was just a retreat. I mean for a couple hours here and there in these things I could and did forget about where I was and what I was doing and was able to leave it all behind and get lost in or submerged in something else. Kind of crazy but I am serious, once yopu are there doing what you do it becomes what is normal. Then what truly is normal (back here) becomes most precious. Maybe you would have to experience it to understand it? YZF571
Nice YZF. Yesterday I was driving to a job and passed a gathering on a town green when I realized it was a cermeony for Veteran's Day. There were maybe 100 people there as everyone else drove by on their way to do whatever daily chore. I felt guilty thinking I should be doing something to show my thanks instead of heading to a job like every other work day. I think there should be more days where we all have a chance to say thanks and offer our respect and appreciation. Both of my grandfathers were in WW2 and they never spoke about it once they returned. That tells me whatever they went through wasn't anything they wanted to relive. Thank you to everyone that has served or currently serves our country. Without your efforts, none of us would live the lives we do.
last time I deployed in support of OIF I went outside BMI to see the sun set in the USA for what, you never know, might have been the last time. I normaly don't like it when people thank me, but as I was going back in a young business man getting into his car got my attention and yelled to me "Hey man, Thanks!". This may sound corny, but I could tell he met it and it was really cool. Anyway, I always think about the motocross world when I'm deployed. It's one of the things that makes this country so special to me.
I agree with the veterans above, it feels different sometimes when people are always telling you 'Thanks'. But then there are those few that hit the heart, especially coming from previous Veterans who've given everything and treated not so welcome upon their return home. As mentioned above during most of last year I was over here for OIF. 'EVERY' little bit I could get of MX & dirtbike related news, video, etc...takes my mind off the thoughts of IED, EFP or anything bad for that short time. And now being back over here again, only it's now just changed to being called Operation New Dawn...my cravings are kept at ease by reading racerxonline. I say "THANK YOU" for giving me the piece of mind i need. More importantly "THANK YOU" to every one & all veterans past & present!!
You know UTMX/MSMX113. It is somewhat refreshing to hear/read your thoughts as far as people thanking/acknowledging your service. I have always told my wife I don't really like it, I mean IO appreciate it, but it makes me uncomfortable in a way I can't explain. However, having said that every now and then as mentioned by UTMX someone says/does something that is especially meaningful. Like I have a visual on what UTMX is saying, a dude from across the parking lot saying hey.........thanks man. Enought said, I can dig it. Again, it is a strange deal with me, I appreciate it but don't need it. It is like your trying to slip it and be done with it but people won't let you yet it is not thieir fault because they want to acknowledge your service. you, well you just want it to end. Having said that MSMX113. If you need/want anything say the word! Seriously I mean that, a call, a letter, an email, a package, whatever, name it! drop me a line at [email protected] Be safe, see you around, maybe we can hit up an SX, or MX when you get back. I am retired now but still ride MX/Mountain Bike about every day. I am getting ready for the next phase of opening up a small fabrication/restoration shop in the next 18 months or so. Again, if you want or need something say the word, I'll make it happen, if not that is cool to, oh and thanks man, for doing what you do. Wish I was there glad I'm not! Les Hamlin, USA, 1SG, Retired!