Being Memorial Day Weekend, we wanted to share our adventure from last Sunday with you. We had the great honor in watching a bike rally that was both moving and impressive. We didn’t know about it until the last minute, but we are so glad we made the time to come and experience it.

First let me tell you a couple of stories.

Our first story is about a young man from Spotsylvania County. He was born on June 28, 1982 and graduated from Spotsylvania High School in 2000. After struggling to find his direction, it found him on September 11, 2001. Following his true calling, he enlisted in the Marine Corps to fight for our freedoms.

He graduated from Boot Camp he would travel to Okinawa, Korea, Afghanistan, and Iraq. He embraced his position in the Marines and would live as an example to others. While at home on leave, he would encourage other struggling teenagers to work hard and stay in school. After serving in Iraq, he was awarded the Bronze Star with Valor after saving lives while he was there. This young man was a quiet and kindhearted young man. He was boastful when he would help others.

After his tour of duty in Iraq ended in April 2006, he was determined to return because in his words, “the job was not finished.” He knew while other men with less to no experience would be coming, his knowledge and experience could make a difference in the fight. He would lobby for a second tour and would transfer battalions and even extend his service in order to return to Iraq. He would return in September 2006. When he was later given the opportunity to return home, he would again volunteer for another extension because his men didn’t have that choice.

His eagerness to help his fellow Marines and his compassion, caring and willingness to put the safety and well-being of others above his own exemplified who he was. His firm handshake, warm smile and hearty laughter and hug gave a genuine sense of protection. His one fear above others was that someone would get hurt when he had the ability to save them.

Update to First Post!

We were honored to be contacted by Josh Frazier’s parents and friends after we posted this. We were informed that Josh was laid to rest just a few miles from Belle Grove Plantation. We were also informed that Josh was a descendant of James Madison through his father’s family. We wish would could have met this wonderful young man. Soon we will be hosting his family here at the plantation to thank them for their son’s service to our wonderful country!

Sergeant Joshua James Frazier died on February 6, 2007 while serving in Iraq.

Our second story is about a young man from King George. He was born on October 7, 1984 and graduated from King George High School in 2002. While in high school he was a star wrestler, cross-country runner and track athlete.  This young man served his community as a volunteer firefighter.

While in college at Virginia Tech, he joined the National Guard. He would answer the call of duty to serve in Iraq in December 2003. Just one year later, while serving in Mosul, he and another service member were killed during a suicide bombing.

During his memorial service, he was remembered as someone who “chose to go to a place he didn’t have to go, to do a job he didn’t have to do for people who didn’t know him.” His Awards and Decorations included the Army Service Ribbon, The National Defense Medal, 1/25 SBCT Certificate of Achievement and the Army Achievement Medal. He was posthumously promoted to Sergeant and awarded the Army Commendation Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal.

Overflow crowds jammed into the school’s cafeteria and gymnasium to pay tribute to this 20 year old. Maj. Gen. Claude Williams, the Virginia Guard’s adjutant general, knelt between this young man’s flag-draped coffin and his family, and presented a Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal and the Virginia Legion of Merit.

His fellow firefighters also honored him as they stood and saluted as his father received his helmet. A series of symbolic rings tolled on a silver fireman’s bell, signifying Sergeant Nicholas C. Mason’s death and that his job was complete.

Sergeant Nicholas C. Mason died on December 21, 2004 while serving in Iraq.

In 2007, The Some Gave All Foundation was established in memory of Army Sgt. Nicholas Conan Mason of King George and Marine Sgt. Joshua James Frazier of Spotsylvania. The foundation honors these men and all others who have been wounded or killed in service to their country. Each year this foundation sponsors a Bike Rally from Spotsylvania High School to King George High School.

This year, we were on the road side watching as the bikes came in. It really is a sight to see! There had to have been over 500 motorcycles of every shape and size! One thing that was so moving was to see the King George Volunteer Fire Station, which is on the bike route, with their engines lights going and their ladder extended with an American Flag flying.

The people along the road way stood as cheered as each bike passed. It was really an honor that we later found out that we were standing right beside Nick Mason’s grandmother!

The end of the ride stops in the parking lot which is filled with food and booths. The bomb squad was there as was the Army National Guard with their Orange County Chopper bike! And of course the Marine Corp arrived in style in one of their tanks.

Music and stunt bikes and lots and lots of motorcycles!

It really was a great day remembering those that Gave It All!

We would like to remember other American Heroes who Gave Their All…

Thank you.

1LT Benjamin John Hall was killed July 31, 2007 while leading his platoon in combat against Taliban forces in the Chowkay Valley, Afghanistan.

Captain Shane T. Adcock was killed on October 11, 2006 when a hand thrown explosive device hit the Humvee in Iraq.

Corporal Aaron Gautier on was killed just south of Baghdad on May 17, 2007 while searching for soldiers who went missing after their convoy was attacked days before.

Cpl Brett L Lundstromwas killed  on Jan. 7, 2006 by enemy small-arms fire while conducting combat operations near Fallujah, Iraq.

Cpl. Christopher L. Weaver was killed on January 26, 2005 as a result of hostile action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq.

Lance Corporal Powers was killed by enemy action in the province of Al Anbar, Iraq August 17, 2004.

Lance Corporal Kyle W. Brown was killed in combat on January 07, 2006 in in Iraq.

Sergeant David Alan Ruhren was killed on December 21, 2004 in Mosul, Iraq when his base dining facility was attacked.

Sergeant Dustin Perrott died June 21 after the explosion near Miri, Afghanistan.

SSG Joshua P. Mattero 29 of Chula Vista, CA. was killed in action on July 24, 2007 in Baqouba.

Brett is traveling for business again this weekend and week, so you know what that means! More tea cup and antique shopping! Since Father’s Day was this weekend, I asked my father to ride along. I have pretty much checked all the local area’s antique stores and flea markets for tea cups, so I decided to change locations. We heading up Route 17 to Gloucester, Virginia and then jumped on to Route 33 and then to Route 3 (Kings Highway), which takes us up through the Northern Neck of Virginia and to Route 301 (James Madison Highway) that takes us to Belle Grove Plantation.

Our first stop was at an antique store that Brett and I have passed many times on the way to the plantation from our current home in Chesapeake. It is located in Saluda, Virginia, just outside Gloucester. It is called the Treasure Antiques Thrift store. I met the owner as soon as I came in. Once I told him what we were doing and what I was looking for, he quickly helped me locate several cups that met my needs. He even worked out a good deal for me so we could get all of them! What a score! I did have a picture of him and the inside of the shop, but sadly I lost it along with three other pictures when I downloaded some pictures last night. (Bummer) But I know we will be returning so I can get another one next time! John was also helpful in telling us where some other locations were that we might want to hit up! And he even had a map with all the antique stores in the area that we could take with us! I knew after this, it was going to be a good day!

 

After we left we hit up two of the locations John had recommended that were close, but sadly one we couldn’t find. The second one, we did find, but I was only able to find one plate there that fit my needs. There was a second plate that I was on the fence about, but decided to leave it. Now I wish I didn’t because it would have matched a cup and saucer perfectly. Guess I will have to go back and hope that it’s there!

From here we headed towards Kilmarnock across the Rappahannock River. Just as we crossed the river, I sighted a small house that had a sign that read “Revolutionary War / Civil War / Indian Artifacts”. I quickly made a U-turn and headed to the house. What a great stop!

 

As you walk into this store, you are greeted by a Union soldier’s uniform and Indian Shirt with beading. The front room is filled with anything and everything Revolutionary and Civil War time periods. It was overwhelming. I just didn’t know where to begin. The back door opened and I looked up half expecting Mel Gibson’s character, “Benjamin Martin” to appear. The owner, Chris Trimble greeted me and helped me locate several of his prized items.

The first was a portrait of Mary Ball Washington, mother of George Washington. This was really something to see! (It was also one of the lost pictures from my download) Chris explained that it was of Mary when George would have been just 1 ½ years old. He also told us that there was a companion portrait of Augustine Washington, George Washington’s father, that went with this portrait of Mary. That portrait is located in the Smithsonian in Washington D.C. The next piece he showed us was a snuff box. He told us that it had been handed down through his family and had once been owned by Henry “Light-Horse Harry” Lee and Robert E. Lee! (another lost picture). Then he showed us two buttons from the uniform of the paymaster on the Titanic. (another lost picture-but don’t worry! We are going back!)

Chris continued to show us around looking at buttons from the Revolutionary and Civil War time periods, swords, uniforms, dish, Indian Artifacts and so much more. Chris also makes and restores period furniture. I think we are going to have to look into this when we get the furniture for the house!

We left there and head to a restaurant we passed as we crossed the bridge called “Willaby’s on the Rappahannock” for some hamburgers and a great view of the river.

Then it was back to Route 3 and up towards Belle Grove. This drive was wonderful! It was filled with small towns and crossroads. But what struck me was the fact that this was the road that great men traveled. As we made our way up, we passed Stratford Hall, home of the Lee Family and Robert E. Lee (just 20 minutes from Belle Grove) and the birthplace of George Washington (just 15 minutes from Belle Grove) and the birthplace of James Monroe (just 10 minutes from Belle Grove). We also passed Vineyards and Wineries and antique shops!

Our last antique stop was just 10 minutes from Belle Grove. It is a big red barn set up in a flea market style. I scored big here!

Then we head to our favorite candy stop in King George, Mary’s Cakery and Candy Kitchen,  where my father purchased a small bag of candy. He told me that he was going to eat just a couple, but they didn’t last long. They were pretty much gone by the time we reached Belle Grove. I knew they wouldn’t last. They are so addictive!

We made a quick stop at Belle Grove so my father could see it and I could get some more pictures of the house and “Dolley”, our resident osprey.  She was being her normal self, screeching and flying around because someone was there. As she flew off the nest, I walked around to the Riverside to take a few pictures of the house and of her flying and landing back on the nest. As I walked back around to the Plantation side, something caught my eye. I reached down and picked up what looks to be some kind of pottery. So I put it in my pocket and headed back to the car.

On a closer look of this piece, it looks like pottery and it looks like it has a barnacle attached to it. The barnacle is worn down somewhat. I am thinking maybe it was in the river at one point and it washed up during a flood. I am not sure. If anyone thinks they know what it is, let me know! I would love to figure this one out.

We ended our day with a visit to Hornes  Truck Stop in Port Royal for an old fashion hamburger. Anyone that travels Route 17 through Port Royal knows about this place! One of the best stops for fast food on Route 17. And it is only yards away from the site where John Wilkes Booth was killed at Garrett’s Farm.

All and in all it was a great day. Great finds, great food and good company. So now, on Father’s Day with Brett still away, I guess I have only one thing to do… go antique shopping.