One flag, one country, many thanks

Posted: May 24, 2010

Oconomowoc — "The members of The Nation of Patriots started out to make an impact on this country by way of uniting its people through a great cause and under the banner of the flag. Next year we will do just that again (only a little differently this time) and we'll do it again and again and again until we're helping thousands of service men and women and their families every year … " - Bill Scherer

Oconomowoc - Bill Scherer and a group of friends started a conversation over a few beers at the Nashotah Club on a past wintry night. Their discussion centered on their desire to do something more tangible to honor the country's service men and women.

From that conversation, the Nation of Patriots Tour was born, and Scherer rode through every state east of the Mississippi during summer 2009 to raise interest. On his own Harley-Davidson motorcycle and at his own expense, Scherer carried an American flag and raised money for the families of wounded veterans.

The money was donated to members of the VA Hospital in Milwaukee. The money he raised was used to buy Walmart gift cards that were delivered to the veterans and their families the day before Christmas Eve last year.

"It was the most rewarding and unbelievable experience of my life," Scherer said, reflecting on what it was like to meet the veterans and give something back to them for their service.

And on Friday, May 28, Scherer - and anyone else wishing to join him, members of the Rock River HOG Chapter and others - will honor those who serve with a special ceremony at the Wisconsin Harley-Davidson in Oconomowoc before they fire up their bikes and start the first leg of the 2010 Nation of Patriots Tour.

2010 tour

This year's tour will see the flag make it through 48 states over 100 days (essentially Memorial Day to Labor Day), from city to city, using Harley dealerships as the connecting points. The flag will be transported by more than 150,000 members of Harley Owners Group (HOG) chapters across the country, raising money at dealership events and celebrations along the way as well as on the Nation of Patriots website.

More simply, it's 100 stops in 100 days, 100 flag bearers, 48 states, 12,500 miles, 150,000 riders (and growing) in one summer, raising funds and honoring many.

Wade Fletcher, a co-owner of Wisconsin Harley-Davidson, said he is honored that Scherer approached the business to be the starting point of the ride.

"We're very proud and honored we were given the opportunity to be a part," said Fletcher.

He said the ceremony May 28 will consist of some political and local dignitaries who will speak, including Sen. Scott Fitzgerald. "We're hoping the mayor and Chief (Dave) Beguhn will be there. There will be the singing of the national anthem, and Fox Company color guard out of Madison will be here, but the main piece will be the 12 veterans who will each play a part of unfolding the flag," Fletcher said of members of the Rock River HOG chapter.

Rally for the ride

Scherer said he's been overwhelmed by the support his grassroots effort has gained this year.

"I leave my job and go home and fire off probably 30 to 70 e-mails a night, and my phone is ringing all day long. It's been really exciting," he said.

Scherer said the Nation of Patriots Tour has been organized by himself and a few others from laptops and cell phones. But it's been obvious the organization doesn't need fancy digs or any other extreme infrastructure to be successful.

In hopes of generating interest and participation around the country, the group secured a 50-inch plasma-screen TV to give to the participant who comes up with the most creative photo while the flag is with them on their leg of the tour.

"I didn't even need the TV," Scherer said, noting by the time phone calls were made announcing the initiative, word had already spread as far as the East Coast and people were excited. "We've heard from a guy in Pensacola who said he's trying to get it on a flight with the Blue Angels, and it's going through a Fourth of July parade in Jacksonville," he said.

The flag will truly live up to its symbolic meaning this summer, and the reason this particular flag is traveling around the country, Scherer said, is to raise a more consistent awareness among everyone of what the stars and stripes symbolize.

You're invited

Fletcher said anyone who would like to participate in the first leg of the Nation of Patriots Tour just needs to show up to the dealership at about 8:30 a.m. May 28. You can watch the ceremony and if you want, join the ride. Scherer said there is no fee to participate in the ride. "We didn't want to confuse or dilute the symbolism," Scherer said.

However, others have decided to make their leg of the tour a charity ride, and Scherer said anyone is welcome to make a donation through the Nation of Patriots website, www.nationofpatriots.org." target="_blank">www.nationofpatriots.org. He said all but a few dollars goes toward the effort. "We just need to save about $5 to keep the bank account open," he laughed.

Scherer would also like to extend an invitation to all area American Legion and VFW members to attend the ceremony May 28.

The tour will come full circle when it returns to Wisconsin Harley-Davidson on Sept. 3.

Nation of Patriots

What: Flag christening and ride launch ceremony for the Nation of Patriots Tour, which will take an American flag through 48 states over 100 days

When: 9 a.m. Friday, May 28, at Wisconsin Harley-Davidson, 1280 Blue Ribbon Drive, Oconomowoc

Why: Raise money for families of wounded veterans and to honor all service men and women, all veterans and their families and all who have fallen in the line of duty

Who: Everyone is invited to participate; political and local dignitaries will attend the kickoff patriotic ceremony

Info: www.nationofpatriots.org