This is a very hard message to write.
We are cancelling the ride on June 6, 2009.
The ONLY reason for the cancellation is that we have been threatened at our home. Anyone at any time can under the cover of the Internet say anything that they want to about anyone. The lies that have been spread and repeated are ridiculous and dangerous. When you lie and spread false information you are responsible for the people that act on your lies and hurt people.
The board has suggested that we step back and cancel the ride this summer.
We will address some of the lies and honest questions. E’leese and I have worked very hard to make this summer, the summer of PR for onegirloneride. We hoped that we would find the next generation of the ride. For those of you who have spoken with us you know that we said we would do this for 2 years. We have always stated that this is not about us. It is about helping the young men and women who serve this country. We were just the catalist. We have always kept our eyes open to find the next onesoldieroneride, onevetoneride, onemomoneride, and so on. Nothing this big could ever be about one person.
When E’leese and I started this adventure, I never believed that a girl and her mom could make such an impact on Minnesota. We both believed that we would plod along and spread the word. We never could have guessed that we would meet and care about so many new friends. That Representative Sarah Anderson would write the onegirloneride Bill. That Sheriffs, Deputies, Chiefs of Police, and Police Officers across the state would become names that we spoke of as friends. That Posse and Mounted Patrols would become family.
E’leese is crushed and angry that a few people could spread lies and twist truth causing a man to come to our apartment and threaten us. E’leese is a kind and wonderful girl who only wanted to help the men and women who serve our country. If I could ask one thing of the good people of Minnesota and the nation, it is to send E’leese your words of encouragement. She did a great thing last summer. Please do not let it be spoiled by a few bad apples.
As honest and real questions are asked we will answer them.
