Gary Dickens                  September 2011 (an iPad2 friendly page)

Leesburg was put into a bit of a tough spot last month. When "Amercia's 911 Ride" wanted to bring their annual motorcycle event through downtown Leesburg like they've done every year previously, it made some folks in Richmond very nervous.

This being the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, this year's ride was going to be so much larger than prior rides, with estimates of 1800+ bikers. Those Richmond types swore traffic and security was going to be a nightmare. Bring the ride straight down King Street and there would be gridlock for hours, the safety of the citizens would be in question.

"Best to bypass Leesburg" they said.

Oh, how mistaken those powers were. How they underestimated the patriotism of Leesburg's residents, the resolve of the Town Council, the capability of the Town Staff to inform and execute.

It was a proud day for Leesburg, August 19, 2011.

Remember ~ when the British burned Washington in 1814, the United States archive was hidden here for a few days til the crisis passed.

Remember ~ once it was decided in 1861 that Virginia would secede, that brave Town Council immediately donated $500 to help start a local regiment and started printing its own money (knowing that they were on the "Potomac Frontier" and that invasion was likely).

Remember ~ heroes from many different wars are buried in our cemeteries, especially at Union and Ball's Bluff.

Remember ~ Every Memorial and Veteran's Day our Mayor Umsttadt will be found making sure those who have served and those who have died, are properly commemorated.

It was a great day to be a Leesburg resident as all of those riders came through, commemorating 9/11 and raising funds for those who lost mothers and fathers. The Town Staff took their direction from the council and facilitated the ride seamlessly. Traffic was not tied up to the next mellenium. Chaos did not reign through historic downtown.

Let there be no mistake that Leesburg has been for over 250 years, and if she keeps her spine, will always be an enclave of patriotism.

Please enjoy the photos and if you were there, remember how proud you felt.

Thank you Town Council and Town Staff.

Key to this year's ride was the Town Council's decision to route the 1800+ riders through the historic downtown, not bypass the town as State authorities had recommended. .	A large police escort headed up the ride.
One of the best vantage points was the porch at King Street Coffee..	Flags proudly leading..
Encouragement on South King Street!	Peace signs were in abundance as well as waves.
Can I get a witness?	The ladies at Black Shutter Antiques took the high ground.
Best view in town.	The other best view in town. Black Shutter Antiques is at the corner of Loudoun and King Streets. They host dozens of antique dealers and are a great stop whenever you are in town.
Corner of King & Loudoun from above.	"Semper fi"
Fireworks 'n flags	Leesburg, home of patriots for over 250 years.