Monday, August 31, 2015

8/31 ~ San Diego ~ The End?

1995 USAIDS 5,000
(20th Anniversary Special)
Post #72:
Thursday, 10:59am, August 31, 1995. T-Minus 1 Minute & Counting:  [ Excerpts from AN IMPOSSIBLE DREAM STORY accompany some photos, edited to show actual names. ]

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Picture #180

This is what people saw in the morning newspaper--Iron Butterfly baby!

[ I’ve been able to see America in a unique way, both at its best and worst, with its majestic size and beauty, its vast resources and terrain, and its blessed people who enrich this soil by bringing the many cultures of the world to one land we call these United States. . . ] (Picture courtesy of North County Blade-Citizen, August 31, 1995)


~~~
Picture #185



This is what was plastered around town at various locations.

[ . . . The end was literally around the bend. The AIDS Foundation of San Diego had arranged a grand rally and reception for 11:00 sharp. . . ] (Flyer courtesy of AIDS Foundation)


~~~
Picture #184

This is one of the first things I saw, turning onto the final street.

[ . . . The difficult part for me was to not arrive too early; it needed to be timed exactly right for some live TV coverage. I circled around several city blocks in a bicycle version of pacing until receiving the thumbs up from Carl Lebman. Appropriately clad in stars and stripes, I turned the final corner of approach, not knowing for sure what to expect. It was time for a new chant: “This last mile is for you and me, God. We did this together— we beat the odds and achieved mountains. . .” ] (Picture from August 31, 1995)


~~~
Picture #181

This is the guy they saw.

[ . . . Followed by the escort vehicle, one daughter and granddaughter, and, of course, Carl Lebman, who unselfishly gave this moment to me, this would be something I hoped to live long enough to tell my grandchildren, (and now great-grandchildren). Chills ran up my spine as I heard the crowd begin to rumble, and then roar in thunderous applause and cheers. I could see the red ribbon across the road, tied with huge AIDS ribbons on both sides—the official end. Camera men scrambled down the street, wanting to photograph this piece of history, this oddity, this feat that no person with AIDS had ever accomplished. . . ] (Picture from August 31, 1995)


~~~
Picture #192





It was a lot to take in all at once, and a pretty impressive showing by AIDS Foundation, and the general community.

[ . . . Flags, banners, cheers, and tears, they were all present. . . . ] (Picture from August 31, 1995)


~~~
Picture #186

One by one, they took turns issuing proclamations.

[ . . . There would be representatives from Being Alive, the AIDS Foundation of San Diego, and the city and county of San Diego, well-wishers, and a host of TV, radio, and newspaper reporters to document this moment and to welcome me with proclamations, gifts, flowers, and love. . . ] (Picture from August 31, 1995)
  


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Picture #187

This was presented from the County.

[ . . . This moment was theirs as much as mine, yet they may never know the feeling they etched on this man’s heart. . . ] (Courtesy of San Diego Fourth District)


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Picture #190

This was presented by the City Council of San Diego.

[ . . . Pumping my fist into the air, I was shouting, “We did it” and, “I love you” and, “Thank you friends! . .” ] (Courtesy of San Diego City Council)


~~~
Picture #191

This was presented from both the AIDS Foundation and Being Alive, San Diego. (I have not been able to verify that these agencies still operate.)

[ . . . Yes, most of all, thank you to my friends who cared-many friends, hundreds of friends; some who had traveled long distances to see, greet, meet, and hear from me, Jim Petretta, the Viper, one man who dared to live out his impossible dream.]

Note: (From Pride Ride News) During my tour of AIDS Foundation, I learned just how much can be done for a city on so little a budget. To keep themselves focused, they dedicated one hallway to both honor those loved ones who have passed, and to serve as a reminder of the mission present, everyday. The hallway seemed endless--with tributes to more lives than can be counted--all lost to AIDS--and all from San Diego. . . I couldn't have selected a better ending point for my ride. Buffalo, here I come!

(Proclamation courtesy of AIDS Foundation and Being Alive)

 





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