The Ride Home POW/MIA

The Ride Home Video Script

Opening remarks are by former POW (Prisoner of War – Vietnam), Bill Robinson, longest-held POW in American History, followed by commentary by Songwriter, Recording Artist, Author, and Chaplain, Ann M. Wolf.

Ann M. Wolf Narration Begins: There are a growing number of Americans who are very concerned about the Value and Price of hard-won Freedom and along with that, the care of our Veterans, especially those who have become injured, killed, captured, or missing while serving in harm’s way.

If you are one of those great citizens with that kind of heart for our Veterans, I have excellent news for you. There is an event that I am certain you and many of your associates, friends, and family members will want to be a part of. It is called “The Ride Home.”

This is Ann M. Wolf; I am a songwriter, recording artist, author, and chaplain for God and Country and it is my honor to tell you more about this event and the special people behind it:

In the United States, by Presidential Proclamation, National POW/MIA Recognition Day is observed on the third Friday in September. It honors those who have been prisoners of war as well as those who are still missing in action.

During that important third week of September, you will find POW/MIA Remembrance Commemorations being held all across our nation organized by civic groups, municipalities, churches, schools, and other historic institutions.

One such event is known as “The Ride Home,” a National Gathering of Former Prisoners of War and their families as well as family members of our Missing in Action. These “Honored Guests” as they are called by organizers of “The Ride Home” are welcomed with open arms and treated to several days of events designed to thank (them) our POW/MIAs for their service and contribution to Freedom.

These activities throughout a three day period include:

• Opening Services on the Grounds of Andersonville, Georgia’s Historic Prisoner of War Site followed by…
• A Hero’s Banquet
• A Keeping the Promise Service and Candlelight Service
• A Recognition Service followed by
• An FLYBOY-Ground-pounder Lunch

All Services are open to the Public while some of these events require registration.

For motorcycle enthusiasts or “Patriot Bikers,” those who ride alone or who are members of an MM, MC, or other Motorcycle organization or club, there are opportunities to escort Honored Guests between events on at least three separate occasions throughout this weekend.

Now how is this financed? Each year, fundraising campaigns draw in the capital needed to pay for the room and board of honored guests, plus one while they are at The Ride Home. The cost of one guest with their companion is approximately $375.00 giving Americans the chance to show their support via individual or group contributions. Many organizations such as American Legion, DAV, Am Vets, Vietnam Veterans of America, VFW, Rolling Thunder, Inc., Patriot Guard, as well as other businesses, churches, and corporations are proud to sponsor one or more honored guests for this weekend’s experience.

The facilitators of this amazing event are members of a special POW/MIA advocacy group known as “Honor, Release, Return.” They are dedicated individuals who spend all year educating the American Public on the current status of our POWs and they keep us informed about those still missing in action or those who have been found and are being repatriated.

Honor, Release, and Return leadership wishes to let you know that in addition to participating in “The Ride Home” either in person or through your individual or group sponsorship you can also show general support to this cause through other means such as one time donations or via the purchase of inspirational merchandise which can be found at the Ride Home Website store.

Now let’s hear from a few special individuals who will speak to you about the Ride Home.

Comments are offered by former POW Bill Norton & his wife Liz, followed by Moe Moyer, Chairman of “The Ride Home” event.

In Conclusion, The Ride Home offers our POW/MIAs and their families a chance to heal; it often becomes the place where stories can finally flow out from the deepest places in the soul of veterans, where terrible experiences have been kept filed away for years until the right moment, the right environment, until friendship brings the safety needed to release the pain that has been hidden away, for so long in the heart. The Ride Home also has become a place where new relationships are established and much love, respect, and appreciation is exchanged.

Now, I and my friends at Honor, Release, & Return encourage you to participate in regional commemorations on behalf of our POWs and MIAs in your own communities; and additionally, through “The Ride Home” you can also play an important role in History today. You can personally affect the happiness and peace of one or more of our American Heroes or their families who have endured much. And while you are accomplishing that, you are also working in Unity with other Americans from all over the country, toward a great cause and outcome.

Please go to the website www.theridehome.com and learn more about joining this movement or participating in this year’s event. Your heart will be full and your care will be appreciated by some of our greatest Americans. You can be there for those who stood for you.

May God keep you in His Mercy and Grace and we will see you, live or in spirit, at the Ride Home.