Absolutely Amazing....A Tribute to Kylan Warren

I'll admit right away that I don't know Kylan Warren or any of his family or friends. But when Chris told me that one of the lineman at GA Power had been burned really bad and that some co-workers were putting on a benefit motorcycle ride, we signed up right a way. We have a Harley and enjoy riding and this was for a great cause. I read the news reports, saw a picture taken at the accident, and my heart went out to Kylan and his family. If he survived there would be a lot of pain and suffering in his future.

Read the News Article

I was very nervous about the ride because there were to be over 1,500 bikes involved. I wasn't quite sure how that many bikes were going to get safely from GA Power to North GA while fighting the traffic of the connector and the highways. I almost told Chris to go without me.

Chris and I arrived, and as usual I grabbed my phone to check messages. I had a text message waiting from my friend - Kylan had died. He had passed away only hours before. I noticed a number of people with pink ribbons on their shirts and I assumed they were for Kylan's wife. Only after the ride would I find out that one of the organizers of the ride (Michael Hyde) had been badly injured the weekend before. He and his wife and several other were riding back from Elijay (and finalizing the ride) when he lost control of his motorcycle and crashed. His wife, Charlene, died and Michael has lost his leg.

As we started out on the ride, I said a prayer -- as I always do when we ride on the bike -- that we would be safe and that the entire group would make it safely to Ellijay. I was still very nervous about the number of bikes and fighting with the traffic. As it turned out, I didn't need to worry at all. The answer? Just shut down the roads. As we entered the connector near the GA Power building, the police had it blocked! There were no cars at all. It was very strange as you usually take your life in your hands maneuvering onto the highway there - even in a car. At first I thought they were doing that just to allow the entire group to get going and stay together. As it turns out - they ran rolling road blocks the entire way! Each time we came to an entrance ramp, law enforcement from all over GA were present and temporarily blocking the cars. It brought tears to my eyes each time.

As we passed under bridges throughout the entire route, we were greeted by people waving, fire trucks, and several bucket trucks with their buckets high - in tribute to Kylan. It was the most amazing thing I've ever taken part in. Cars on the other side of the road stopped to watch. I'm sure if I had been driving that day I would have stopped too. It must have been amazing to see that number of bikes rolling down the highway with no cars in sight.

Kylan was from Ellijay. He went to the elementary school that was our final destination. As we entered the square, hundreds of people were their to show their support.

Kylan was 25. He'd been married for 2 or 3 months. His whole life was ahead of him. And now one of his co-workers and friends has lost his wife and his leg. What a tragedy. I will continue to pray for their families.

We take for granted that the light will turn on when we flip the switch. We take for granted that the air will run and the coffee pot will work and that we can watch "reality TV" whenever we want. The truth, the reality is -- the men and women who make that happen have very dangerous jobs. We get annoyed when our power goes out in a storm and it takes more than 15 minute to get it going again. We think they should have it fixed immediately. The next time that happens, let's just hug our families and be thankful that we have one another. Let's be patient and remember that it's someones husband, or wife, or son, or daughter, or dad, or mom out there working in the storm to restore the power. Let's remember that they may not make it home. Let's pray that they do! This accident, the support the community showed for Kylan, and the benefit ride have brought that to the front of my mind. It's something I won't forget.

Take a few moments to watch these videos. There are several up on youtube. It shows the love and support that went out for Kylan and Mike and their family! The second one was shot from the top of an overpass and gets the entire group.

YouTube Tribute
YouTube Coverage of Bikes

Check out these pictures as well. I remember seeing this photographer laying on the ground as we went by. Some great shots.

I'm sure Kylan and Charlene were watching and guiding us all on Saturday.

A special thanks goes to all the law enforcement who helped guide us along the route, ran the rolling road blocks and a special thanks to those who helped organized this benefit.