The ride up the highway for the National Memorial Day was uneventful, as highway trips usually are (despite Ian’s always “interesting” pre-ride brief). The location for the memorial service was Cordeaux Dam, about 14 Km off the Hume towards Wollongong from Picton. This was the 20th annual National Memorial Day service organised by the MacArthur Branch to be held at the dam.
About 100 Ulysseans from about seven Branches came together for the service. At Noon people gathered for the service itself by a memorial Ulysses rock (it has plaques with the history of the day set into it). The MacArthur Branch President, Mark Shephard, was the MC.
Bernie Rogers of the MacArthur Branch has written a “Ulysses Ode”, a simple and meaningful piece capturing the sentiment of members Riding On: we should consider incorporating it in any remembrance observances we may have. Bernie kindly recited his ode to the appreciation of the gathering.
National President Jen Woods spoke and Helen Mackenzie from the MacArthur Branch read the Ulysses prayer. The service was followed by a delicious sausage sizzle.
Our group split in two for the trip home with Ian leading the push back down the Hume and Chris and Vidas taking the scenic route back via the Princes Highway and Nerriga.
Ian Patterson – GL 1800
Neil McRitchie – GTR 1400
George Attard – Triumph Tiger 800
Jeff Jarvis – HD Softail Deluxe
Vidas Sadauskas – HD Street Glide
Chris Dietzel – GTR 1400
