2010 PUT Ride Postscript

I've made it home, safe and sound. I'm unpacked and most of the laundry is done, so time to get down to the most important part of my blog for my fifth Police Unity Tour...the Thank You page!

My fifth Police Unity Tour was a personal success because of the generous financial support of friends, family and co-workers. Those donations are part of the $1.1 Million we gave to the Memorial this year.

Huge thanks go out to Pat Montuore and the rest of the original 18 who made the first journey to the National Law Enforcement Memorial in 1997. Without them and their vision, the 2010 PUT would not have been possible.

For us riders, the most obvious Thanks goes out to the Motors who ride ahead of us and block intersections, keeping us safe from impatient motorists and the occasional pedestrian who can't gauge the speed of on-coming riders.

Other motors flank us, helping to keep us in line and separate from active traffic lanes.

I do not have a final count on repair supplies used, but I know the bike mechanics earned their keep this year. I heard we ran out of tubes and tires and know that this year was especially hard on pedal parts and cleats. Thanks to the mechanics who give up a week of their time to keep us rolling on the road. I'm personally grateful that they were able to find a single stack chainring bolt amongst all the small parts so I could keep on riding.

The break teams were awesome this year. They drive ahead of us to the various stops, set up and make sure everyone has enough to eat and drink at every break, then they make sure we leave the break locations spotless.

Target Corp went all out for us this year, hosting several breaks along the way and providing us with great spaces to spread out and rest before each new leg. Their staff worked well with our break teams to add to what the PUT provided and make sure that everyone who wanted Fig Newtons got some.
The David Lokey Center is always a great break host and inspiration for the riders.

As we ride along there are usually individuals and groups along the way to wish us well on our journey. The couple pictured above has become a landmark for the riders, they are always there with their U.S. and National Law Enforcement Memorial Flags.

Local Fire and Police Departments also come out, flying the flag, hitting the sirens and honking their horns.

This year, a class of Bohemia Manor High School Seniors come out to cheer us. Their teacher had been caught in traffic by us in the past, but rather than curse the delay, she used our passing as part of the class curriculum on company culture.

The unsung helpers of the Unity Tour is the Hotel Team. When we are complaining about having to get the luggage to the trucks at o'dark-thirty, they are the ones who've been up since o'dark hundred making sure everything will be set when we get to our next destination.

The other unsung heros are the folks who staff the ambulance. Like the bike mechanics, they are pretty much ignored until you need them. I was fortunate this year not to need their services, but they were quick to respond and care for all who needed their help.

I'd like to end by thanking the PUT Board, Chapter Leadership and Staff who have worked so hard over the last 14 years to make the PUT the success that it is. Without their tireless efforts, I could not have made my ride to remember Montrose Police Sergeant DAVID JOSEPH KINTERKNECHT.