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NEILLSVILLE TO ASHLAND NO PROBLEM FOR KINGSBURY
Friday, July 31st, 2009 -- 11:03 pm
Posted by Paul Knoff, News Director

This is Paul Knoff in Ashland, WI.

What a day it's been. We started our journey at 8 a.m. at The Highground Veterans' Memorial Park in Neillsville.

Tom Kingsbury, 56, Loyal, is biking around the state to raise awareness for The Highground and money for the Persian Gulf Veteran's Tribute. He'll make 30 special stops along the 1,500-mile journey.

The first stop came at around 9 a.m. in Loyal. A huge crowd was on hand to cheer him on. Despite its size, Loyal has two Gold Star Families from the Persian Gulf wars. These families have lost loved ones in combat.

Tom then pedaled to Phillips (96 miles). He was slated to pull in at around 2:30 p.m., but got there an hour early! He was flying.

Everyone at the VFW was great and very appreciative of Tom's efforts. Many had been to The Highground and commented on what a special place it is.

Tom then had one last 80-mile push to Ashland. The weather was picture perfect, a bit cool with no strong winds.

Tom, again, arrived nearly an hour early, but the local veterans' groups were able to mobilize quickly for a ceremony at the Ashland County Courthouse.

Tom is doing well. His support team has been doing an excellent job.

He leaves Ashland Saturday at 7 a.m. for a quick 155-mile jaunt to Spooner and Clear Lake.

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HERO'S TRIBUTE RIDE DEALS WITH WIND
Sunday, August 2nd, 2009 -- 12:09 am
Posted by Paul Knoff, News Director

My time in the PR van came to a close Saturday night, but what an honor it was to work with everyone associated with Tom Kingsbury's Hero's Tribute Ride for The Highground.

While Friday was perfect for biking, Saturday was anything but.

We awoke in Ashland to rain, wind and 55-degree weather. As Tom has said, rain is no problem, but wind is a killer on a bicycle.

But Tom plowed through, reaching Spooner for our first stop. What a beautiful Memorial they have in Spooner, the perfect backdrop for a ceremony, which included five Gold Star families who have lost loved ones in combat.

One woman, whose friend was honored, drove from Kansas City just for the event.

Tom arrived a bit late because of the wind, but everyone was so gracious and excited to see him.

He couldn't stop long, because he had to get down to Clear Lake for his 2nd stop of the day.

Another beautiful Memorial Park inside the local cemetery. Clear Lake was the home of Wisconsin Governor Gaylord Nelson. A nice man from town - a bit of an historian - showed me the grave and explained his friendship with the man who invented Earth Day.

The ceremony was capped with the impressive release of 50 white homing pigeons - quite a sight and very symbolic.

Our final stop was in New Richmond. By this time, the weather had turned beautiful.

Tom pulled in for a nice ceremony, and the local American Legions, VFWs and other groups made very nice donations to the Persian Gulf Veterans Tribute. State Sen. Sheila Harsdorf was on hand and delivered a nice message.

I hated to leave because the crew got to stay at one of the most unique B & Bs in the country. The Taylor Home Inn is an exact replica of Andy Griffith's house!

To learn more about The Highground and Tom's ride, visit www.thehighground.org; You can also see pics and become a "fan" on Tom's Facebook page: Tom Kingsbury

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FREAKING AWESOME

Day 6 The Highground Hero Ride

by Beth E. Martin  

Tom started in Oshkosh with a 5 hour trip to Wisconsin Rapids. "I was tired and riding into the wind" said Tom. He arrived 1/2 hour after the ceremony and with shaky legs but a strong voice managed to address a good-sized crowd gathered for Lunch By The River.

Running behind, Tom got back on his bicycle knowing he would be hard pressed to make it to Weston/Wausau by 3:30 p.m.

Channel 9 caught him at Hwy 34 and Cty Hwy P stopping him for an interview. Greg Foye, vice chair of The Highground Board of Directors, quipped, "This was a news ambush. They were supposed to meet him in Weston."

After Tom resumed riding, the crew and the lead van realized Tom would be an hour late arriving in Weston and the decision was made to go ahead with the ceremony even though Tom would be too late.  Members of the village police and fire department were present. Gold Star widow Heidi Dampier and her children presented the flag and plaque to village president Fred Schuster and village administrator Dean Zuleger. A combined color guard of AmVets and members of the American legion stood witness. Many of those in attendance could not stay.

Tom arrived around 4:30 p.m. and spoke to the people who had stayed to support him. It was only 20 minutes and he was pedaling north facing long, rolling hills. Tyrone Patterson and  myself were concerned Tom might not get to the hotel before dark.

Dale Oatman, the coordinator in Antigo asked Tyrone and me to come for the ceremony because all the VIPs had agreed to attend. We agreed. We were on our way to supper when Carol, Tom's sister and support driver, called to say they were within 10 miles of Antigo. Dale Oatman quickly made arrangements for the city police to meet Tom at the city limits and escort him to the American Legion for supper.  

We could hardly believe it! The exhausted, wind-whipped rider seen at Weston came flying into Antigo with his support van blasting "Born in the USA" loud enough for anyone within a football field to hear.   Tyrone Patterson, the VA representative, looked in the rear view to see Tom coming up fast and going around our van.   As Tom flew by, there was only one shared thought in our van:    FREAKING AWESOME!

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The Long Haul

by

Beth E.Martin

We are at the end of Day 8. Tom covered 200 miles today!

Tom was on his bike and rolling at 7 a.m. He relentlessly pedaled a long stretch of highway between Antigo and Marinette challenged by wind and numerous hills. The ceremony in Marinette was set for Noon and true to his word, Tom arrived at Noon where he was met by Mayors Robert Harbick (Marinette), George Krah (Menomonee MI), and Tom Strouf (Peshtigo). Tom Kingsbury spoke of some of the events along the route and granted an interview to the local radio station before setting off on the next leg of the journey. Lisa Frye presented the flag and plaques to the mayors and spoke quietly about the service and sacrifice of her daughter, Nicole Frye.   Cyndy Stubenvoll volunteered to take pictures of the event for us.

Carol, Tom's sister, her husband, Randy, and a friend, Therese, perform their own miracles in keeping Tom on the road and healthy ignoring their own comforts in their desire to help Tom reach his goal.  Still when Tom left Marinette, Crandon seemed like a very far away place. Hill after Hill after Hill signaled an increase in elevation and forced Tom to push harder. He arrived in Crandon a wee bit shaky, but accompanied by police, fire truck, and motorcycle escort. Crandon will celebrate its 100th anniversary next week and 100 American flags lined the street around the Veterans Memorial where Tom spoke about his ride.

Members of the gathering included Gold Star Mothers Clara Samz and Mrs. Betty Hozan, Mayor Gary Bradley, Diane Joyner, County Veteran Service Officer, Lee Joyner, Master of Ceremonies, State VFW Commander Wilfred Johnson and Vice Commander Joe Cahill, DAV Dist. Commander Rick Patton, DAV Commander Tim Blank, Patsy Shay Post Commander Alois Bocek, Patsy Shay Auxilliary President Beth Zellmer, Sylvan Post Ron Boeldt, US Congressman Steve Kagen, US State Senator Jim Hoperin,  MD Representative Paul Knuth, Assembly District State Representative Jeff Mursau, and Native American Veterans Program Coordinator Nate Nez.

Tom had a few queasy moments in Crandon. Carol, Therese and Randy were monitoring his movement and pushing his liquid intake.

Tom was sure it would be dark when he would reach the final stop of the day and with dogged determination climbed on his bike and turned toward Rhinelander. A couple who had ridden in the motorcycle escort decided to stay with Tom and provide light and extra protection on the way to Rhinelander.

For the second night, Tyrone Patterson and myself were convinced we would be making the presentation at the next stop without Tom. It didn't seem possible Tom could cover the remaining miles in time.

We called Linda Moore and let her know we were on our way but were unsure as to Tom's status. When we arrived, Rhinelander's volunteer band was playing to an audience committed to waiting for Tom. The Mayor, Linda, Kathy Martin who lost her husband in Iraq, a color guard, and the band watched the roadway for the first sign. As Tom rode into the parking lot shortly after 8 p.m., the band welcomed him with music and the gathering cheered his arrival.

Tom, Carol, Therese, and Randy were beyond exhaustion after 13+hours. It had been a very long day on too many hills with too much wind.   Even so, Tom joked with someone in the lobby. "I have to go back out and ride 2.5 miles," Tom said, "to make it an even 200." They looked at him with shock on their faces.   Tom then smiled and said, "I think I will wait until tomorrow."