VA employees from the Wichita, Kansas, Regional Office will rev up their motorcycles on September 24, to begin their 1350-mile ride from Wichita to Indianapolis and back to honor two fallen Indiana heroes.
The “Iron Vet Ride” is open to all comers and is being organized by VA employees with the help of the AMVETS Post 36 Post 36 Derby KS
All are welcome to participate including car drivers. “We could use support vehicles (trucks with trailers) and vehicles with passengers for photo and video throughout the route,” said Army Veteran Brett Wells, ride organizer.
“Our event is about getting VA, Veterans Service Organizations, and the community working together for a common goal,” said Wells.
The ride honors Sgt. Kyle B. Osborn and Lance Cpl. Joshua Eli Witsman who died in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. And Staff Sgt. Travis S. Bachman of Garden City, Kansas, who was killed by an IED in Iraq.
Sgt. Kyle B. Osborn of Stockwell, Ind., died Sept. 13, 2012, while serving with the 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment.
Lance Cpl. Joshua Eli Witsman of Covington, Ind., died May 30, 2012, while serving with Weapons Company, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines.
Staff Sgt. Travis S. Bachman of Garden City, Kansas was killed by an IED in Iraq. He was a member of the Kansas National Guard 1st Battalion, 161st field artillery unit.
Members of their families responded:
Connie Jo Bachman:
That would be awesome and so appreciated by our family!! Thank you so much!!!
Miriam Osborn:
Thank you Brett for the ride to Indy. I’d like to let my family know,
Blessings & prayers to all of you as you ride! Kyle’s mama!
Kayla Hannan Witsman:
Thank you!!! I plan on being in Indy to meet all y’all!!!
PLEASE be SAFE!!! My prayers will be going up for safety & good weather!!!
“It is a great feeling to be there supporting the families,” said Wells. “During the events, families often come up to participants and thank them, added the Army Veteran.”
For more information, contact about the event contact Brett Wells at brett.wells@va.gov.
Facebook page for the event: https://www.facebook.com/VJFMINC
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“God watch over all of you on your ride.”
I admire the sentiment and appreciate them wanting to honor those that made the ultimate sacrifice. However, perhaps they would better honor those fallen warriors by getting back in the office and, every morning, just as they start to work, take a moment to remember those warriors and the many others, they made the ultimate sacrifice. With those thoughts, hopefully they would have cause and motivation to be more dedicated to and focused on helping those veterans that need help. I mean no disrespect to the men the VA employees are honoring.