Col. Gary West, a retired Air Force fighter pilot, is a thousand miles into his “Patriot Honor Ride” from Lubec, Maine at the Canada border to mile marker zero in Key West. Trading in his F-16 for a bicycle, he’s making stops in 15 states and Washington, D.C. to raise money and support for Folds of Honor, a nonprofit organization that provides scholarships for family members of soldiers who were killed or disabled while serving.
On Wednesday, Col. West’s 2,500-mile tour stopped at the Capitol to honor the sacrifice of one of Williamsburg’s own, Army 1st Lieutenant Todd Weaver, as well as two other fallen soldiers. The visit had special meaning for an important member of Colonial Williamsburg’s community, Master Silversmith George Cloyed, who was Weaver’s father-in-law.
Dozens of guests paused to observe the brief but moving ceremony and pay their respects to Lt. Weaver, Capt. Phillip T. Esposito, and Maj. Larry J. Bauguess, Jr. They may have noticed that it was the 50-star American flag, not the Grand Union flag of 1776, that was flying at half-staff over the Capitol under a bright blue sky on this day. After the Fifes and Drums performed the Star Spangled Banner, Chuck Sheppard, who served in the Air Force for 20 years before joining our Building Trades department, raised the flag to its full height, then swiftly lowered it and delivered it below for the ceremonial folding.
During Col. West’s ride, flags have been raised at significant historical and cultural sites, including Fort McHenry in Baltimore, Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Freedom Tower in New York, and yes, even Boston’s Fenway Park. The flags that are flown during the journey will ultimately be delivered to the families of the honorees at the Key West destination, which he hopes will be on October 1.
Col. West and Mr. Cloyed folded Lt. Weaver’s flag together. He was truly one of the best and the brightest. He joined the National Guard after the 9-11 attacks, interrupting his higher education to serve a tour in Iraq. At William & Mary he was an outstanding ROTC cadet, majored in international studies, and inducted into Phi Beta Kappa. After graduating, being commissioned into the Army, and marrying in the space of about two weeks, he went on to Army Ranger training.
He was deployed to Afghanistan as an infantry officer with the 101st Airborne in 2010. An improvised explosive device (IED) took his life while he was leading a night patrol in Kandahar on September 9, 2010. He was buried with highest honors at Arlington National Cemetery, leaving behind his wife Emma and daughter Kiley. “Everybody looked up to him. He was a natural leader,” said George.
Colonial Williamsburg’s First Lady, Elisabeth Reiss, who has spearheaded efforts to welcome service members to Williamsburg with initiatives like the Liberty Lounge, folded the flag for Army Captain Phillip T. Esposito, a member of the Army Air National Guard who was killed in Turkit, Iraq in 2005. Capt. Esposito’s family lives in Virginia, and his daughter is a Folds of Honor Children’s Scholarship recipient.
The third honoree was Major Larry J. Bauguess, Jr. of North Carolina, a member of the 82nd Airborne who was killed by enemy small arms fire in Teri Mengel, Pakistan in 2007. His children are also scholarship recipients. His flag was folded by Gen. George Washington, played by Ron Carnegie.
After the flags were folded, a bugler from Langley Air Force Base played Taps.
Ever the master craftsman, George offered his thanks to Col. West by presenting him with a handcrafted silver bracelet matching ones he made for the Weaver family after Todd was killed. It was engraved with meaning: an eagle with outstretched wings to symbolize the way our military protects us; stars on either side to represent the soldiers who gave their lives, and for their families who have also sacrificed so much; and clasped hands for the brotherhood shared by those who serve. And on the inside a “death’s head.” George explained that while it was not visible, it would leave a mark on the wearer’s wrist, a reminder of “the indelible mark of death that has been left in our hearts.”
Later, George observed that soldiers and their families are still making sacrifices, but that the lack of major battles makes it feel distant to most Americans who aren’t directly touched by it. Just the day before, the news was reporting a casualty that hit George close to home. 28-year-old Army Staff Sgt. Matthew V. Thompson was killed by an IED in Afghanistan’s Helmand province.
A veteran who happened to be visiting Colonial Williamsburg Wednesday made an impromptu gesture after the ceremony, literally giving Col. West the clothing off his back. He graciously accepted the patch-covered vest, the back of which reads: “All gave some. Some gave all.”
I asked Col. West, who flew more than 130 combat missions in 26 years of service, about the origins of his latest mission. “Our church just went through a series called ‘Game Changers,’” he explained, “and we were being challenged to think of ways to bless people outside the church and make a difference in the places we live. And I thought, maybe I can leverage my experience as an Air Force fighter pilot that would direct attention to an effort that would help someone.”
Folds of Honor, headed by a fellow fighter pilot, just resonated with him.
And how is the trip going? He rides about 25 miles in the morning and another 25 in the afternoon in the company of a revolving support team. They break up the trip with hourly breaks, and Col. West throws wet rags over his head when it gets especially hot. “My goal for today,” he said, “is to be able to get on the bike tomorrow.”
To learn more about Col. West’s journey, or to contribute to his goal of raising $60,000, visit the Patriot Honor Ride Facebook page or website. And to learn how to properly fold a United States flag, click here.
Many thanks to Wayne Reynolds for permission to use his photographs in this post, in addition to those by Colonial Williamsburg’s Lael White!
The fallen gave their all in defense of our liberty, There is no better way to honor them than by preserving what they died for.. May we, in this favored but somewhat troubled land, always remember their sacrifice and what it requires of us. .
Stewart Pittman,, the drum major of the fifes and drums that provided such stirring music for the memorial, was at the time of his death Todd’s brother in law.. I apologize to Stewart that I forgot to acknowledge that at the ceremony. I know you felt his loss keenly, and still do!
We Americans are so very fortunate and thankful for these men and women who give of themselves. Prayers to the families. God Bless You All.
1st Lt. Weaver’s challenge coin is beautiful. What we could see of the ceremony in the photos and video was wonderful. Folds of Honor is another great way to honor our fallen and their Gold Star Families. Safe travels to Col. West - “Aim High… Fly-Fight-Win” - -U.S. Air Force Official Motto. Thank you Col. West for your service then and now.
Oh, so many heroes! We are so blessed - and so ungrateful- regarding their sacrifice for our freedoms and the freedoms of others. We take these freedoms and their sacrifices far too lightly. God bless you, Col West, for your efforts and your reminding us of these fallen Americans,
I do agree with Helen L. We are so blessed in this country and yet so ungrateful.
I commend Colonial Williamsburg for recognizing Col West and his efforts to remind us
of these fallen Americans. Patriots both from the past and today should always be recognized
at Colonial Williamsburg.
Never forget.