In just two days, one Facebook post brought together more than 60 riders to give David the sound of motorcycles one last time

Andi Schwartz, graphic designer/webmaster
Clark County Today

On Saturday, more than 60 riders came together in Battle Ground to grant a fellow biker’s final wish — and it couldn’t have been a more perfect day for it. Blue skies, warm sun, and the rumble of engines filled the air.

Two days earlier, a post went around from Cheryl Deringer asking if bikers could ride past a hospice facility so a man named David could hear the sound of motorcycles one last time. That post was shared over 100 times, and Saturday morning the Wilco parking lot in Battle Ground was full of bikes — cruisers, sport bikes, trikes — and riders from all over, many meeting for the first time. Some of us knew each other, most of us didn’t — but when the engines started, we all had the same purpose.

At first there was no formal plan, just a lot of people showing up for the same reason. Rick Halle, Post Commander of the American Legion Tum Tum Post 168, said, “I was absolutely blown away by how many bikers and bike groups showed up today with such short notice. 60 bikes might be a conservative estimate. I might note that this was so well organized that there wasn’t anyone there to actually lead. These bikers and groups showed up even without anyone clearly organizing and leading. I did not expect to be in front but as my Better Half used to work at the facility I knew exactly where we were going. Someone suggested I lead so I did a quick briefing and did so.”

Because we had large American flags on our bikes, Rick and I rode at the front, guiding more than 60 bikes out toward Brookfield with my husband, Joseph Schwartz, Post Adjutant of American Legion Tum Tum Post 168, right there with us. The sound of all those engines rolling together is something you feel in your chest. We passed the facility with David’s window open so he could hear us, Cheryl by his side holding his hand, telling him that this community came together just for him.

Cheryl said, “Several of our other residents were able to come out and enjoy the sun and watch y’all, every one of us, workers and residents cried. Kids and neighbors felt the love, compassion and joy you were spreading. I was able to catch the unexpected second ride through and all I could do was wave with tears.”

We made two rides past Brookfield, then Rick decided we should go back and stop to actually meet David. Joseph, Rick, and I went inside. He couldn’t move or speak, but I could tell he knew we were there. Cheryl moved his arm to show us his Harley-Davidson tattoo with flames. We knew right then we were riding for one of our own. I told David as I patted his shoulder, “We rode for you today!” Though he couldn’t move or speak, his breathing shifted slightly, and I believe he understood me.

Rick summed it up perfectly: “It’s rides like this that remind you why we do what we do. No politics, no drama — just people showing up for each other.” Cheryl later shared on Facebook, “It was an absolute pleasure meeting you all, seriously brought tears to my eyes all day, thank you.”

I’ve only been riding since January, putting 4,500 miles on my Harley-Davidson Heritage Classic Softail. My husband’s been riding for a year on his 2018 Heritage Classic. Not long after he started, he joined the American Legion in Amboy after going on last year’s Windhaven ride. He’s a Navy veteran, and the Legion felt like home. I joined soon after, became a Rider at Tum Tum Post 168, and now serve as Chaplain.

In just a few months, I’ve fallen in love with riding — the freedom, the accomplishment, the way your senses take in everything at once. I’ve seen firsthand the amazing biker community come together, becoming like family and supporting not only those we love but also complete strangers we’ve never met.

It was an honor to be there, and I’m certain every rider felt the same. In just two days, one simple Facebook post brought together more than 60 riders who didn’t hesitate to give their time, their fuel, and their hearts for a man we had never met. That’s the biker community at its best — stepping up, coming together, and proving that when the call goes out, we answer. And I know if it were me in that bed, this is exactly how I’d want to be honored.

On Sunday, we learned that David had passed away within 24 hours of the ride. Rick Halle shared, “It is with sadness that I announce that the Tum Tum American Legion Post #168 Chaplain stopped at the facility today to see David and has reported to me that he passed some time in the last 24 hours. It is bittersweet as it was an honor to be able to make that last ride for him before he passed and for the Tum Tum American Legion Riders to visit with him after his wish was fulfilled.”

Ride in peace, David. You were one of our own.