October 8th 2011
The Backstreet CruiZers held a SunRise to Sunset Cruize rightly named "The Cost of Freedom CruiZe" honoring our Veterans.
We started at Toledo Beach Marina Lake Erie for a Sunrise Ceremony and ended at the City of St. Joseph Lake Michigan for the Sunset service.
We met a lot of great folks along the way, made some special friends, and had a BALL.
The Proceeds of this event go the National VFW Home for Children located in Eaton Rapids Michigan.
The Backstreet CruiZers partnered with the VFW Post 6362 in Dundee. Instrumental in that relationship was Jim Baisden former Commandeer of the post. A Vietnam Veteran.
The pictures that follow were taken by Tom Dupis,a Veteran of Vietnam.
We hope that you enjoy viewing the pictures as the days events unfold. And if at anytime you happen across a Veteran of our Great and Glorious Country YOU say
THANK YOU to that veteran for his service to our COUNTRY that enabled us to take this journey.
God Bless America and God Bless our Soldiers and their families.
With Love and Honor THE BACKSTREET CRUIZERS
The Backstreet CruiZers held a SunRise to Sunset Cruize rightly named "The Cost of Freedom CruiZe" honoring our Veterans.
We started at Toledo Beach Marina Lake Erie for a Sunrise Ceremony and ended at the City of St. Joseph Lake Michigan for the Sunset service.
We met a lot of great folks along the way, made some special friends, and had a BALL.
The Proceeds of this event go the National VFW Home for Children located in Eaton Rapids Michigan.
The Backstreet CruiZers partnered with the VFW Post 6362 in Dundee. Instrumental in that relationship was Jim Baisden former Commandeer of the post. A Vietnam Veteran.
The pictures that follow were taken by Tom Dupis,a Veteran of Vietnam.
We hope that you enjoy viewing the pictures as the days events unfold. And if at anytime you happen across a Veteran of our Great and Glorious Country YOU say
THANK YOU to that veteran for his service to our COUNTRY that enabled us to take this journey.
God Bless America and God Bless our Soldiers and their families.
With Love and Honor THE BACKSTREET CRUIZERS
TOLEDO BEACH MARINA LAKE ERIE
LaSalle Michigan Time 7:08 am
The cloud formation resembled our USA Flag hovering over the horizon. AWESOME
LaSalle Michigan Time 7:08 am
The cloud formation resembled our USA Flag hovering over the horizon. AWESOME
7:12 am
The FREEDOM CRUIZE participants awaiting the Sunrise
Honor Guard from the Monroe Post stand tall awaiting the Sunrise
7:16 am
7:17 am
7:18 am
7:18 am
7:20 am
7:24 am
7:32 am
7:38 am SUNRISE
The MONROE VFW POST leads the group with the Pledge of Allegiance followed by the National Anthem.
Glorious
Awesome
Honor, Dedication and Respect
The Freedom Cruize participants at Sunrise
8:30am First stop of our day at the Dundee VFW Post for breakfast.
These wonderful veterans were so instrumental in making the "Cost of Freedom CruiZe a reality.
These wonderful veterans were so instrumental in making the "Cost of Freedom CruiZe a reality.
This is the Chaplin of the Post leading us in prayer before our meal.
Upon our departure the commander reminded us that the beautiful day we had in store was not what our soldiers in Iraq were experiencing, Along their wall were photo's of the area's service men and women which made our reason for the cruize all that more clear.
Upon our departure the commander reminded us that the beautiful day we had in store was not what our soldiers in Iraq were experiencing, Along their wall were photo's of the area's service men and women which made our reason for the cruize all that more clear.
10:39 am Rally Point the Artisian Wells Bar and Grill at US12 and US127.
Freedom CruiZer's classic rides
Freedom Cruizer's rides
See Jen? her and Melissa kept the day's journal on our Facebook page. Just bringin it as it happened was their motto!
See Jen? her and Melissa kept the day's journal on our Facebook page. Just bringin it as it happened was their motto!
Freedom CruiZer's rides
1:05pm Arrived in Sturgis MI
What a WELCOME we received!
What a WELCOME we received!
Folks from other parts of the state met us here
This handsome fella's owner drove into Sturgis from Stevensville MI what a trooper
More Freedom CruiZers
The Sturgis Freedom CruiZers
Backstreet CruiZers brought along the DJ booth Have music will travel!
Our new friends from Allegan and Dowagiac MI
Sitting in the back facing the camera is Chris, the commander of the Sturgis Legion Post.
We stopped in during our trial run in 2010 met Chris and the bunch, He told us then and there he was on board and would do whatever he could to make our Freedom CruiZe possible.
A man true to his word. Thanks Chris you are super!
We stopped in during our trial run in 2010 met Chris and the bunch, He told us then and there he was on board and would do whatever he could to make our Freedom CruiZe possible.
A man true to his word. Thanks Chris you are super!
We kept this little gal busy, she was fantastic
Chris and company served a buffet lunch for all the cruiZers. Good food, and Great company!
Chris and company served a buffet lunch for all the cruiZers. Good food, and Great company!
3:10pm
Freedom CruiZers headed to St. Joseph MI and Lake Michigan
Freedom CruiZers headed to St. Joseph MI and Lake Michigan
5:04 pm Arrive in The City of St, Joseph
This is the Carousel House on Silver Beach. A wonderful treat for young and old alike
This is the Carousel House on Silver Beach. A wonderful treat for young and old alike
A view of the Marina in St, Joseph from Lake View Bluff park the site of our Sunset ceremony at 7:10pm
The Freedom CruiZers took in the sites, visited the shops downtown. Just enjoyed the Beautiful park setting.
The Freedom CruiZers took in the sites, visited the shops downtown. Just enjoyed the Beautiful park setting.
What a great attraction, the kids really enjoy this feature. Yes it was warm enough for them to play in the water. Go figure Oct 8 the weather was so cooperative
6:58 pm
6:59pm
6:59 pm The Stevensville Post Honor Guard arrives
7:01 pm
7:02 pm
7:03 pm
7:05 pm
7:07 pm
The Lake View Bluff Park is a gathering place for all visitors to watch the Sunset everyday of the week. Here The Freedom CruiZers picked thier viewing spots awaiting the Ceremony at Sunset
7:08 pm The Stevensville Honor Guard is called to Arms
7:08 pm
7:09 pm
During the ceremony the BSC DJ Doug played our National Anthem
Please note the people in the background Everyone paid homage during this event. People crossed their hearts, men removed their hats
Please note the people in the background Everyone paid homage during this event. People crossed their hearts, men removed their hats
Our Flag in full GLORY
Our Reason for the Cost of Freedom CruiZe
All gave some, some gave all
Our Reason for the Cost of Freedom CruiZe
All gave some, some gave all
TAPS were played, The moment was TO GREAT FOR WORDS.
Tears were shed by many
Tears were shed by many
7:12 pm the sun drops into the horizon
Many people approached the Honor Guard men and shook their hand. Children were instructed by their parents to tell them THANK YOU. Emotions were high, LOVE of country showed on all faces.
Many people approached the Honor Guard men and shook their hand. Children were instructed by their parents to tell them THANK YOU. Emotions were high, LOVE of country showed on all faces.
7:12pm the Somberness of the Honor guard.
Note the Veteran with his head bowed.
RESPECT HONOR DEDICATION
God Bless the USA
Note the Veteran with his head bowed.
RESPECT HONOR DEDICATION
God Bless the USA
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