There was a great turnout for the Friends of Veterans benefit ride to support the homeless Veterans. Something like

100 bikes were there to donate for the cause and share in the food and music. The weather held out for the event

and I think most of us made it home without getting wet. I can't wait to see how next years event turns out.

"GREAT JOB"  

Orange To Athol Walkers In Show Of Support For Vets

BRIAN GELINAS

ORANGE -- A group of veterans and area residents on Tuesday participated in the second annual Veterans' Day walk in honor and support of all who have served or are serving in the military.

Massachusetts Army National Guard Master Sgt. Joe Young, of town, organized the first walk in 2007, with the intent of having it become a yearly event.

Last year, only a handful of veterans participated, walking along Route 2A from the Veterans' Park at Main and Exchange streets in Athol to Memorial Park in Orange. The same route was followed this year, but in reverse, and with a much larger group of about 25-plus taking part.

"This is great. This means a lot," Young told those gathered at Memorial Park, prior to the start of the walk.

In his opening remarks, Young also reminded participants of the importance of remembering all veterans -- past, present and those "who gave all."

As he did last year, retired Army National Guard Lt. Col. Paul Robichaud escorted the group, driving his vintage 1929 Buick which was outfitted with several United States flags and a sign on the rear reading: "United, We Stand."

Several members of Rolling Thunder Vermont 1, of which Young is a member, participated this year. They were John Laughton, Mike Peirce, and Lynn Laughton and Andrea Young. Laughton and Young followed along in "pick-up" vehicles that were available for those who might be unable to complete the walk.

Rolling Thunder is a national, non-profit organization. According to its Web site (www.rollingthunder1.com), a major part of it's mission "is to publicize POW-MIA issues and to educate the public that many American prisoners of war were left behind after all previous wars and to help correct the past and to protect future veterans from being left behind should they become prisoners of war-missing in action."

Other area notables taking part were Athol Daily News Editor Barney Cummings, riding on the back of Fred Blanchard's three-wheeled motorcycle, and Town Administrator Rick Kwiatkowski.

The entire procession was escorted by Orange and Athol police cruisers.

Impressed with this year's turn-out, Young commented after the walk, "Hopefully, next year will be bigger yet."

FUNERAL: SPC. MATTHEW J. STANLEY

WOLFEBORO FALLS, NH  29 December, 2006