BLOG.THERIDEFORSEMPERFI.COM: Recent Comments

Comment on The Big Climb....oh...and some other climbing as well!

2009-10-26T04:23:38Z

Hey John - We have been waiting for the final day and donation amount. Is it coming anytime soon??? Sounds like it was a great ride this year. Brett was really upset that he couldn't go, but his back has been really bad this year. Hopefully he will be feeling better for next year!

Comment on Waking up is hard to do...The Marines think we are crazy...dinner with heroes

2009-10-19T13:34:46Z

saw a neat story about pga player mark hensby on pgatour.com and his semper fi ride.

http://www.pgatour.com/2009/r/10/14/mark.hensby/index.html

Comment on Waking up is hard to do...The Marines think we are crazy...dinner with heroes

2009-10-16T23:51:06Z

John, thanks for the updates. Write more when you can. I wish I was there. You are almost there...GO JOB!!
Tell me little friend Jill Purcell Hi and I love her...Thanks John for all you do. Greg and I wish we were there to ride with you all. We miss our friends in AZ. Take care and keep us updated.Thanks, Rhonda Compagnone

Comment on Waking up is hard to do...The Marines think we are crazy...dinner with heroes

2009-10-16T19:33:52Z

I really wish I was with you guys. Glad to see everyone is hanging tough, would be stunned if it were any other way.

Semper FI

Comment on Angels, Heroes...and the start of something special!

2009-10-16T15:47:59Z

David Kistner - I am so proud of you for your support of America's Wounded Marines. Have a safe journey....

DAD

Comment on Angels, Heroes...and the start of something special!

2009-10-16T01:03:00Z

John, congratulations to all of you. I know tomorrows ride is difficult. You will all do it with the help of the angels wings that will be on each of your backs. Be safe, ride hard and know many people are thinking of all of you. Thanks and god bless - Nancy

Comment on Angels, Heroes...and the start of something special!

2009-10-15T20:29:18Z

Semper FI!

Comment on Angels, Heroes...and the start of something special!

2009-10-15T17:36:52Z

Congratulations on a great first day, John and everybody along for the adventure.

I was really pleased to get a chance to witness the departure and capture a lot of photos. John, you got the link to the first batch last night. I've more than doubled the number of pics this moring. The link is the same: http://rbjonesphotography.zenfolio.com/rfsfdeparture

Looking forward to seeing you on Saturday for the arrival!

Comment on Day 2....a ride through the desert!!!

2009-10-15T16:37:31Z

Jason makes everyone uncomfortable...
;-)

Comment on We Made IT...................

2009-06-12T02:19:58Z

Well, its July the 14th and we are well into our campaign that started on the 4th! So far...so good!!!! We are off to a great start with more than 26 thousand dollars being raised in the first 10 days! I think that is a great start and I am continually amazed at the generosity of Americans!

One of the traditions that has come with our ride is that each year we pick the names of several individuals who we would like to honor as we move through the campaign and into the ride. This year is no different. a few months back I had the great honor of speaking with a Marine Corps. Major who told me about four heroes that this country has lost to the war. He gave me the opportunity to go through not only military sites that described the individuals, but also through newspaper clippings and stories as well. These four individuals touched the lives of so many in so many different positive ways. We have decided that we will highlight each of these heroes individually over the next few weeks. Below I have pasted a copy of the email that was sent to our team, friends, and sponsors. Unfortunately, no email, no matter how well written will ever do justice to these great Americans and what they accomplished. We will however do the best we can and more importantly, we will never forget the sacrifice made by them or their families.

The first email is below;

Dear friends, Sponsors, and Team-mates,

As many of you know each year on the Ride for Semper Fi it has been our tradition to place the names of heroes on a wrist band that we wear during the duration of our campaign and even long after. These names consist of those individuals who have served with honor, dignity, and represent acts that have been truly selfless for the benefit of preserving the liberties and freedoms we all enjoy in this country. The purpose of the wrist bands is to give us all a daily reminder of the sacrifices that have been made and to remind us that our efforts will go towards honoring and helping those who have been injured or have given their life in the name of freedom.

This year we will be honoring four individuals who all have lost their lives on the field of battle. Their names are;

Major Ray Mendoza, Major Megan McClung , Major Douglas Zembiec, and Lieutenant Commander Erik Kristensen.

Under normal circumstances I would have sent this email out to everyone as one of the first events of our campaign. However, I must admit that I have struggled greatly with trying to find the appropriate words to use when talking about these great American heroes. The incredible accomplishments of each , the lives they touched, the leadership they provided, and the selfless sacrifice they each made could never be appropriately described in a simple email. Because of the great accomplishments of each of our honorees, we will be highlighting each of them in an individual email over the next several weeks.

When I read their inspiring stories I believe I have come to at least a couple of conclusions without having known them. All four were were incredibly inspirational people who had a deep belief in sacrificing for the good of others. They were all team players who were far more interested in serving the common good rather than just personal achievement. I think when I read about their lives and their beliefs that they would be proud of what we are doing as a team. I think each of them if they were with us today would probably meet us, shake our hands, and then ask what they could do for us.

In the Ride for Semper Fi campaign we will have the opportunity to honor their names, their lives, and the sacrifices made by them and their families. While our tribute may be small in scope I would ask that each of you wear the wrist band proudly. Tell donors and friends about the lives of these great Americans and most importantly, never forget!

I will close with this quote from Major Zembiec which was read during his eulogy;

Be a man of principle. Fight for what you believe in. Keep your word. Live with integrity. Be brave. Believe in something bigger than yourself. Serve your country.

My friends….this is our opportunity!

God Bless and Semper Fi

John C. Greenway

Chairman, The Ride for Semper Fi