24th Annual Ride For Freedom
Sunday, August 27, 2017
Berks County has 3 Brothers still missing and unaccounted
for from the Vietnam War:
Lt. Col. Ralph H. Angstadt -Oley/Fleetwood
Col. Thomas W. Dugan - Reading
Capt. David E. Pannabecker – Womelsdorf
On the day of the ride we make a triangle
of all 3 of their hometowns.
You can begin in Oley by meeting at the
Reading Motorcycle Club,
208 Jefferson Street, Oley, PA 19547.
Kickstands up at 9:30 sharp to head to the main staging area
in Womelsdorf to meet up with the other motorcycles.
(Be sure to arrive in plenty of time.)
Or you can go to the main staging area at
5th & Franklin Street in Womelsdorf, PA 19567.
Staging is from 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.,
at 11:00 there is a short program and the Blessing of the Bikes.
Kickstands up at 11:30 sharp as we travel as a group
for a 14 mile ride to Reading City Park.
We have a Sheriff Escort and blockers along the way
to make the ride as safe as possible.
In past years our feet never touched the ground.
If you don’t ride you can meet us at Reading City Park,
the Bikes begin to arrive around 12:00 noon.
There are displays and information tables there for you to visit.
You’ll be able to hear us coming.
When we arrive in Reading City Park
we have a Remembrance Ceremony at 1:00.
It is a very emotional program.
This year the Ride is dedicated to
Captain David Pannabecker and his family.
He went missing on March 27, 1972,
so this marks 45 years of his status of POW/MIA.
We read the names of the 91 POW/MIA’s from Pennsylvania.
Participants hold a branch of service flag for each of them.
When their name is read the flag is raised.
We unfold a large 12 ft. X 18 ft POW/MIA flag,
everyone holds it tight as the history and meaning of the flag is explained.
The tears just roll down our cheeks as it is very touching.
We then release white doves that circle around
as Amazing Grace is played.
Taps is then heard and the program ends.
There is no charge for the Ride,
just support the cause.
We want others to be aware that
there are still many missing and unaccounted
for from all the wars we have been involved in.
It is a rain or shine event.
Sunday, August 27, 2017
Berks County has 3 Brothers still missing and unaccounted
for from the Vietnam War:
Lt. Col. Ralph H. Angstadt -Oley/Fleetwood
Col. Thomas W. Dugan - Reading
Capt. David E. Pannabecker – Womelsdorf
On the day of the ride we make a triangle
of all 3 of their hometowns.
You can begin in Oley by meeting at the
Reading Motorcycle Club,
208 Jefferson Street, Oley, PA 19547.
Kickstands up at 9:30 sharp to head to the main staging area
in Womelsdorf to meet up with the other motorcycles.
(Be sure to arrive in plenty of time.)
Or you can go to the main staging area at
5th & Franklin Street in Womelsdorf, PA 19567.
Staging is from 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.,
at 11:00 there is a short program and the Blessing of the Bikes.
Kickstands up at 11:30 sharp as we travel as a group
for a 14 mile ride to Reading City Park.
We have a Sheriff Escort and blockers along the way
to make the ride as safe as possible.
In past years our feet never touched the ground.
If you don’t ride you can meet us at Reading City Park,
the Bikes begin to arrive around 12:00 noon.
There are displays and information tables there for you to visit.
You’ll be able to hear us coming.
When we arrive in Reading City Park
we have a Remembrance Ceremony at 1:00.
It is a very emotional program.
This year the Ride is dedicated to
Captain David Pannabecker and his family.
He went missing on March 27, 1972,
so this marks 45 years of his status of POW/MIA.
We read the names of the 91 POW/MIA’s from Pennsylvania.
Participants hold a branch of service flag for each of them.
When their name is read the flag is raised.
We unfold a large 12 ft. X 18 ft POW/MIA flag,
everyone holds it tight as the history and meaning of the flag is explained.
The tears just roll down our cheeks as it is very touching.
We then release white doves that circle around
as Amazing Grace is played.
Taps is then heard and the program ends.
There is no charge for the Ride,
just support the cause.
We want others to be aware that
there are still many missing and unaccounted
for from all the wars we have been involved in.
It is a rain or shine event.
