2025 National Veterans Awareness Ride (NVAR)
Washington D.C. & Arlington Virginia
2025 NVAR Epilogue
Sunday, May 25, 2025
Locations:
- In and around Washington D.C. and Virginia
Weather:
- Had we ordered the weather we wanted, it could not have been better. Sunny, blue sky, not too hot (and two days before rain is due to return).
Agenda:
Brad Clemmons Memorial Wreath Laying, Arlington National Cemetery, VA
- We traveled to the Arlington National Cemetery, arriving just as they were opening. We easily stayed together during the ride since it was early, and the parking was rather straightforward for a national monument on the Memorial Day weekend. Fortunately we were able to get one car into the cemetery so we again had a shuttle driver to get all of us to the gravesite.
- We went directly to Brad Clemmens’ gravesite. This was a very special moment for all of us. Dave and his grandson, Brad’s son, laid the wreath. One of our members played taps, and Dave concluded our time around the gravesite by telling us a little bit about his son Brad.
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Wreath Laying, Arlington National Cemetery, VA
- Then we took a tramp to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. On this day, only the fourth time they’ve ever diverted from the traditional wreath laying ceremonies, we were each allowed to pass in front of the tomb and lay a single flower on one of the three grave stones flush with the plaza floor in front of the sarcophagus. Some of the veterans in our group also saluted as they passed.
Air & Space Museum, Virginia
- Although I was not at the museum, I reviewed the photos from Robert, our groups unofficial photo journalist, and selected a few for you to get a glimpse of what the museum is like.
- This museum is located south of D.C. near Dulles Airport (not the Smithsonian Air & Space). Due to the size of the hanger, there is an impressive collection of large, in-tact, antique airplanes. I’ll add this to my bucket lit for my next trip to D.C.
OTHER NOTES
- All along the trip to D.C., Robert Talbert was a bold photographer who got into position for unique views of our events with his high-end camera, many were perspective I didn’t capture on my phone. I have been selecting photos from his collection each day and including them in the daily sit rep posts. I want to thank Robert and give him credit for his valuable contribution to the NVAR Sit Reps. Some of his additional photos that I didn’t include yesterday are included after the Air & Space Museum photos. To view all of Robert’s photos you can go to a Google cloud at: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1hemnrEtPWJncwNNvB_QGrOPBbsXDTdwi?usp=sharing.
- The final photo in this gallery is of our fearless leader, HeadDog as he led the remaining group back to Brookville and on the Michigan City on Tuesday. Some will drop off at their home along the way, others will continue on to there home farther away. But all of us will miss the fellowship of the ride.
- JackWagon mentioned a few days ago, on his first ride to D.C. he returned home, exited the freeway and a mile or so later realized he had blown through all the stop signs and red lights (safely, I’m glad to report). I will admit it is exciting to run red lights with police escorts, even ride on the left side of the road through an intersection in Illinois–legally. But take caution, don’t let it become a habit. Instead, sign up for NVAR 2026 ride and you again can look forward to all the police escorts.
This is the close of the official NVAR ride for 2025.
At ease.
Stand down.
Job well done.
Mission accomplished.
When you feel the need to connect with a veteran in-between now and next year’s ride, stop by a local Veterans Home or Hospital and…
Thank a veteran today,
Thank You – Libby Worden – Sitrep Admin
