By Melanie Lekocevic
Capital Region Independent Media
CAIRO — World War II veteran Ralph Osterhoudt has one message — never forget.
Never forget the horrors of World War II, never forget the soldiers who died on the battlefield, and never forget the sacrifices made by all those who served and fought.
Osterhoudt, 98, was the inspiration behind the annual Let’s Ride to Support Our Veterans, now in its fourth year.
Nearly 200 motorcyclists turned out last Sunday to participate in the motorcycle run that started out at the Red Rooster Bar & Grill on Main Street in Cairo and wound its way with a thunderous roar through the Catskill Mountains.
The fundraiser, which this year benefits two local veteran support groups, has been organized since its inception by Melissa Buffett.
“We are doing another great community event — we are getting together to support our veterans,” Buffett said. “It’s a beautiful motorcycle ride through the Catskill Mountains and 100% of the profits go to the veterans of Greene County and Mended Swords. My 98-year-old World War II veteran, Ralph Osterhoudt, asked me to never let anyone forget and that’s my path from this day forward — to never let anybody forget.”
Last year’s event was muted due to rainy weather, but the year before had well over 100 bikers turn out for the run. This year that number rose to nearly 200.
“Two years ago, we had 136 motorcycles and I think we beat that this year,” Buffett said. “Everybody just keeps coming out and it shows how much they support the veterans. That’s the way it’s supposed to be.”
Mike Dunker, a veteran and member of American Legion Riders 291 in Greenville, said it is important to honor veterans and remember the sacrifices they made for all of us.
“My heart goes out to Ralph [Osterhoudt] — he’s the best,” Dunker said. “And it’s a sad shame that the younger generation will have no idea what it was about, so I’m glad we came out [to honor] him and all vets.”
Osterhoudt sat in a place of honor in an SUV driven by his son for the motorcycle run. He urged everyone to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of freedom.
“If we didn’t win at the Battle of the Bulge, we would be speaking German now,” Osterhoudt said. “Please don’t forget the thousands of 18-year-old guys — at the Battle of the Bulge, most of them were 18 — and they gave their all. The Battle of the Bulge was the artillery, the infantry and the tank corps. Those units were the ones that won that war — in two feet of snow and zero-degree weather. I picked up hundreds of them along the side of the road that froze to death because medics couldn’t get to them. Please don’t forget them.”
