The First Annual Iron & Ash Ride is an Epic cross country ride to raise awareness for Veterans, Cigars for Warriors and Veterans Outreach.
(To read more Click on links below)
It would seem that as quickly as the time has gone by it could not go any faster; but in fact it did. Dothan proved that 2 weeks and great minds working together can make a difference.
Dothan Alabama, a little town I had never heard of until Rogue said we should stop over on our way to Florida. What started as a pit stop turned into, “We want to help.” Which then turned into, “We need 2 days.” I could never have imagined what they had in store for us. Berry asked, “Do you know what June 6th is?” I said, “Yes ‘D Day’.” Thus started my interaction with them over 2 WEEKS, yes just 2 weeks working with Berry Wardlaw, Bob Mann and the many folks in the background. Clearly never challenge a southern gentleman! The icing on the cake was the gantlet thrown by Baton Rouge that they could throw a bigger and better party! They took the challenge very seriously, only in the south! And so began the tenacious brain storming and group efforts from all over the area.
Rogue and Darryl escorted us through the traffic state after state. I thought we were supposed to stop in Mobile, and four states later, I asked Rogue, “Were we not stopping 2 states ago?” We rode some serious asphalt pounding miles that day!
Friday morning we arrived in Alabama and on our way to Dothan we met up with Bob and Maggie Mann and the crew. They had come out to escort us to Accurate Engineering.
I will say in all of my 32 years of riding and being at as many biker events as I have been to knowing how much work goes into putting together a support party. I was very surprised at the extent of the party they would throw for us. Knowing they had only 2 weeks to pull of the Iron & Ash support party, for the ride I had started; we were all floored, except Rogue of course!
We arrived and were greeted by media from both the newspapers and the local TV station.
This was also the only place where local media (TV Stations and Newspapers) came out to do interviews. An important part of doing these events is to get the word out about what you are doing and this one did that well.
Read two great articles from the Interviews!
Bikers Raise Funds for Soldiers and Vets
Charity Cross Country Motorcycle Ride
Whisked in by Bob Mann and introduced to Berry Wardlaw and his gal Gypsy, (Vivian) the flurry of activities had been going on long before we arrived. The donations for auctions piled up and the faces and names of all that came out seemed endless but awesome! I had dreamed of how big this ride could be and here it was materializing right in front of me. The media glitz was well planned, a big thanks to the local folks who had been busting knuckles to pull this off. Nothing could have prepared me for all that was unfolding and had been pulled together in 2 weeks. Seriously if anyone knows how long a fundraising party takes to coordinate this was surreal!
Accurate Engineering rapidly filled with people coming out to show support. Motorcycle clubs came to show support, the local folks came, and people from all over, it was incredible.
Sitting quietly in a recliner watching all the activity was an older gentleman and Gypsy said “Cat there is someone I want you to meet.” The gentleman of the hour was Jack Byers who was on the beach during ‘D Day’ and lived to tell about it. A soft spoken gentleman and hero and many people gathered around to hear his stories. It was an honor to have met and shared time with this man. I felt truly grateful for this journey and the opportunity to meet such wonderful people!
Storm the founder of Cigars for Warriors is not a motorcycle rider and has not had the exposure to the biker community or the opportunity to see how gracious and generous they could be. I encouraged and highly suggested he come and observe how bikers raise money, show respect and party with us. So he came along. Though every venue along the way had its own personality there is still something to be said about the bikers, veterans and veteran supporters like myself. When they gather together something uniquely awesome happens. Storm was about to experience a few days with bikers and see what would unfold within its community.
When I first started looking for the ideal non-profit organization to donate to, it only seemed fitting to have Cigars for Warriors be a benefactor. I love a great cigar and it is the number one item most requested by our active military. I also had a heart for Homeless Veterans and their issues are in the forefront for me as back home I have spent countless hours with the homeless veterans and Veteran Outreach. So these two organizations became a shared benefactor of this Epic adventure.
I can say beyond any doubt I had no clue as to what was going to happen but I can say the vibes were incredibly positive and encouraging. It was a fast and furious staging of events that was pulled off flawlessly. One that clearly any person who took part in the planning could stand proud. I was filled in as quickly as possible in between interviews and information and after the media and riding for TV we were whisked off to yet another incredible opportunity.
We were off to have a private tour of the Swedish Match of Dothan, proud supporters of veterans and still based in the USA they were a gracious host. We joined up in their break room and met many of the staff who were veterans. We toured the facility and let me tell you if they could put that smell into an air freshener, wow! They run a very clean factory full of wonderful people and lots of smiles. Felicia head of HR had worked with our contacts and secured the private tour but also had organized for 7000 cigars to be donated to the troops. It was obvious this community took pride in their work and workers and appreciated all they did. It was very refreshing to see and to see the cigars shipped overseas. As we were getting ready to leave the VP gave me 2 more boxes and a hug and thanked us for what we were doing. I have to admit the White Owl was my first cigars when I was younger so I had to have a picture with the famous owl. The staff was so wonderful and took the opportunity to have photos with us surrounding the famous Owl.
When we left there we headed over to meet Ron also a veteran and owner of Cowboys of Dothan who opened up his bar and grill to host the Iron & Ash Crew. He had put together an incredible event giving honor, meaning and understanding to June 6th.
What a grand evening was in store for us! There was more media to tell everyone about the cause. WWII veterans were there talking about ‘D Day’. Many came from Motorcycle Clubs, Military Clubs, local folks and riders from all over. Storm Boen and Aaron Taylor talked about how Cigars for Warriors originally came about. We heard stories from veterans and Ron had put together a video telling their stories and giving tribute and respect to ‘D Day’! Bikers from all over came to show support it was a spectacular evening! The owner Ron, a soft spoken man, but his history as a veteran and supporting veteran activities was becoming very clear. It was a whirlwind of a day and there was more to come!
Saturday started us off at Accurate Engineering again and meeting more supporters, veterans and media. Getting things ready to go over to Bullets, the owner’s dad is Jack Byers and Jeff had planned a special day with music, food and auctions to raise awareness, money and cigars for veterans.
A lovely lady much sought after for her southern chicken and rice with pulled pork had donated the cooking and the Bullets bartender provided Xanax in a glass. Wow, if you were bored then you really had a problem! We had lots more Motorcycle clubs and bikers from afar coming out to show support, from Minnesota to Florida all representing that day. Incredible!
I am sure I have missed something; it was 2 days packed with moment after moment that was heartfelt, touching to funny, to life changing events. A very moving experience for sure.
So needless to say as far as donations, Dothan was the biggest contributor both in cigars and funds raised. It was a hell of a busy 2 days of partying, biker style! Dothan Alabama rocks.
Being surrounded by veterans, motorcycles and cigars is clearly right up my alley! But it’s not over so stay tuned!!!!!!
Large Honky Tonk Bar with the best live bands and bartenders around! If you have never been then you don’t know what your missing! Come out and join us!
176 S Foster St Dothan, AL 36301
I love this place. The atmosphere, the people, everything. They have the best bartenders in town with the best attitudes and also the best customers! Every time I visit the south, this is always my first and last stop.
Swedish Match develops, manufactures, markets, and sells quality products with market leading brands in the product areas Snus and moist snuff, Other tobacco products (cigars and chewing tobacco), and Lights (matches and lighters).
Please follow and like us:
