If flags could talk ...
The American flag that flew on the back of motorcycles from San Bernardino to New York City, crossing the country in the “Rolling Glory 2” ride, would have a grand story to tell.
The ride united two cities struck by tragedy.
From April 24 to Sept. 11 — San Bernardino to New York City.
Sunday , that flag will fly at Ground Zero in New York City, a symbol of the solidarity between the coasts of this country.
Denver Cooley, pastor of San Bernardino’s Roadhouse Biker Church, led the first procession of bikers on the inaugural leg of a cross-country trek in April, handing off the 5-foot by 3-foot American flag — state by state via motorcycle escort — relay-style, to the next group on the honor ride route.
The trek was a tribute to the American spirit. They left from their church in San Bernardino and rolled past the Inland Regional Center building at precisely 9:11 a.m., transporting the flag and uniting Americans from coast to coast.
Their mission? To fly the flag at Ground Zero on Sept. 11.
“What’s happening is nothing short of miraculous in my opinion,” Denver said. “It’s not just a parade of people carrying the flag across the country, it’s hundreds of people wanting the honor of carrying this flag and thousands gathering to see it. This just restores the American spirit in me, and feels so good there are still so many Americans who carry on ... bound by one nation.”
The flag, which had made its way across this great country, with the help of some amazing and dedicated patriots, had already flown at the Pentagon 9/11 Memorial and had passed through Shanksville, Pennsylvania — sites of other Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.
After flying over Ground Zero, the flag will be flown over “Ten House,” FDNY Station 10. the “ladder station” around the corner and closest to the World Trade Center Memorial — and home to the first engine on scene, and the one that lost so many people after the attack.
The flag will be flown over Station 10 for a week, according to Denver.
“It was an honor to know this flag will fly over a firehouse so close to Ground Zero,” one person commented on Facebook.
From California and Arizona through New Mexico and Texas to Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Washington D.C., Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York, every rider carried the name of a victim from the San Bernardino terrorist attack.
Frequently, in cities and towns along the way, Old Glory would be displayed at a fire station.
“The entire ride has been so unbelievable,” Denver said. “It’s such a great feeling to know that we, as Americans, can still step up, put any differences aside, join together and make something impossible actually happen.”
Richard McInnis, a member of the Roadhouse Biker Church and historical researcher with the Rialto Historical Society, said that Rolling Glory 2 riders will be escorted by the Blue Knights and Red Knights groups of police and fire department riders, when they near the Ground Zero Memorial.
“This really ties the two cities together,” Richard told me.
Pastor Denver Cooley’s Roadhouse Biker Church is not your ordinary Christian church.
Located in an industrial area of San Bernardino, the church’s congregants are 100 men and women bikers, many of them veterans, most of them patriotic.
“Sinners are welcome,” says Denver, a U.S. Air Force veteran who has ridden hard all his life and knows life on the road.
Pastor Denver discovered the Lord two decades ago and life has been easier since, he says.
He lives in San Bernardino with his wife, Tracy. They have two sons and five grandchildren.
The motorcycle-riding Christians go on runs to help others.
One of their ongoing projects is their annual “Eagle” Run, which raises money for families of riders killed in crashes.
This is their second Rolling Glory Run.
For Sept. 11, 2016, Denver will fly to New York to see the Rolling Glory 2 Flag unfurled over Ground Zero and then be escorted to Fire Station 10.
“It certainly makes one proud to be an American Patriot — that spirit is alive and well — for sure,” Denver said.