1995 World AIDS Day

USAIDS 5,000 (20th Anniversary Finale)

December 1, 1995 World AIDS Day

Click on each picture to learn more.

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There were two people from Children's Hospital of Buffalo that we worked with from 1994 conception of USAIDS 5,000 through World AIDS Day, 1995. They were Babette Sullivan of the PACT Program (Parents and Children Together) and John Moscato, Public Relations. I had been invited to several AIDS Agencies on World AIDS Day, 1995, because my celebrity had not yet worn off. If I showed up, the media might also. But I chose to put on a full exhibit at the Children's Hospital, in gratitude for their partnering with me, through training and miles and trials. I did however pledge to organize a Buffalo and Erie county World AIDS Day, the following year. That post will be tomorrow. — at Women & Children's Hospital of Buffalo.

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If I recall right, this was one of 3 displays in the new atrium of The Children's Hospital of Buffalo, on December 1, 1995, World AIDS Day. The "Dream Machine" (aka bicycle), trailer and gear used was part of one display, and the other was made up of tee shirts from dozens of AIDS Organizations, and camping spots, we visited, over the summer. Carl Lebman was with me, for all but 2 weeks of the 5,000 mile journey. He was my volunteer manager, support vehicle driver, layman medic, media guy and control center. But more than that, he was, and remains my friend! — with Lebman Carl at Women & Children's Hospital of Buffalo.

PAWS Albany

Home from a fun and memorable week, making friends at The Albany Damien Center and PAWS NY Capital Region; and visiting my pal Ray Werking from WRPI's Homoradio, "the most listened to college radio show in America. I am grateful for an incredibly warm reception and all the help folks have given (and are giving) to the goal of developing a PAWS Buffalo program, where "Pets Are Wonderful Support"!

View from Buffalo City Hall

A friend took this photo from City Hall, (looking Eastward). It overlooks our own Washington Monument and the right side of our historic Liberty Building. Yet, this only scratches the surface, of what Buffalo has to offer. Buffalo's Memorial Park (North of this monument) is one of the finest tributes to our troops, in America, and the historic mansions and architecture (South) are breathtaking. West of City Hall, you will find the awesome Erie Basin Marina and light houses. Friends need to visit this beautiful city. BTW, twenty years ago, my USAIDS 5,000 bicycle trek began on the circle in front of the lamp post, which may or may not have been there, back then. Happy Friday, everyone.

Picture courtesy of David Granville

PAWS (Pets are Wonderful Support)

There was a time, before viable drugs and hope, when my AIDS diagnosis left me alone--because my friends were dead, dying or long abandoned. So, I learned to share my space with a pet, for companionship and love. It was healing for me, and I survived the sickness. But, I was dirt poor, and remember not having proper medical care for my closest family member--my pet. We didn't have PAWS "Pets Are Wonderful Support", but we can have it now. I want to work with Albany, to see if it is possible to open a Buffalo contingent of their awesome organization. Having been there, I have empathy to help others in similar situations with medical needs for their fluffy friends. Feel free to use this space to publicly endorse the idea, and or me. I will post it to my blog and for references. Thanks.

 Picture courtesy of PAWS Albany

http://www.albanydamiencenter.org/paws.html  

From their website:   "PAWS (Pets are Wonderful Support) provides task, financial, and informational assistance to pet owners living with HIV/AIDS to ensure that they are not separated from their animal companions when they need each other the most.

In 2014, 112 clients and 149 pets received PAWS services, 11,588 lbs of pet food, litter, and treats were distributed, 57 pets received veterinarian assistance and 13 pets received in-home and foster care assistance."

Note:  As of 10/16/2015, there are already 19 "Likes" on Facebook, and these responses:

Sue Fleming wonderful idea. pets are such a blessing. If you want some help please ask I will be happy to help u anyway I can
Tara Bukowski I love this idea. Let me know if I can help.
Kathryn Travalee Great idea might be able to help
Gene Ver Great idea! Keep me in the loop, Jim.
Gary Nason Who should I write (email) to?
          Jim Petretta I've already been in contact with them. Am setting up a visit to their operation in Albany--to volunteer and learn. They are very willing to share information as to how the program operates, etc.

Going Home ~ 9/1995

1995 USAIDS 5,000
(20th Anniversary Special)
Going Home:
I promised a couple of pics, following the bike trip.   In Indiana, I met up with Irene Crider, before heading to NY State. God bless the memory of Irene, and the work she accomplished. Also, there is a flyer from a special event for Children's Hospital PACT Program. On World AIDS Day, I will post pics from an exposition Carl Lebman and I had at Children's Hospital.

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Picture #193

(Top) is on the road home, heading East through Colorado.    (Bottom) Irene Crider. (Pictures from September, 1995) 

— with Irene Crider in Portage, Indiana.

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Picture #194

Visiting my pup, Cuddles. (Picture from September, 1995) 

— with Cuddles, A love puppy

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Picture #195

This was a great time, and we raised a lot of money and awareness from PACT. (Flyer courtesy of Solid Grounds Coffee, September 29, 1995) 

— at Solid Grounds Coffee, Buffalo, NY 

Jim Petretta And here's what I did with all my favorite tees, many from the bike trip.

   

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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)
 

8/30 ~ Camp Pendleton

1995 USAIDS 5,000
(20th Anniversary Pictorial Tour)
Post #71:
[ Excerpts from AN IMPOSSIBLE DREAM STORY accompany each photo, edited to show actual names. ]

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Picture #188a

[ To stay on the already-revised schedule, I had to rack the bike half the distance to Oceanside, our next planned stop, which was Camp Pendleton Marine base where my son-in-law Ollie was stationed. . . . ] (Picture from August 30,1995) 
— with Melinda South and Son-in-law Oliver South

Jeff Schroeder · Friends with Melinda South  Man! That is a young Ollie South! 
Melinda South Jeff Schroeder, do you think he was into himself back then? Lol

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Picture #188b

[ . . . Visiting was in order, so that’s exactly what Carl did while Dad (me) crashed on the sofa. After a scrumptious dinner prepared by Melinda, my granddaughter Courtney, then about 14 months old, fully entertained us by playfully posing for many pictures. . . ] (Picture from August 30, 1995) 
— with Courtney Gourlay 

Melinda South And now this is her little guy, John Oliver!

Courtney Gourlay My baby pictures remind me so much of my little monkey boy!

Sue Fleming what a little cutcie

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Picture #189

[ . . . It was a good night’s rest; it must have been, because I slept longer than I had in three months. With only one full biking day remaining, I was being prodded by media and family, all wanting to know, “now what?” I didn’t know the answer. I didn’t even have a place to live. I didn’t want to think about those challenges yet. . . ] (Pictures from August 30, 1995) 
— with Sleepy Jim Petretta, Melinda South and Courtney Gourlay 

Melinda South Wow, we were so young! Now my baby has a baby of her own.
Jim Petretta Go ahead, post a picture of Courtney holding John Jr.

Jim Petretta From baby daughter to grandson, you haven't shown you've aged 20 years, Melinda; you are still beautiful. 
Melinda South Thanks dad!
Virginia Sheppard-Dapshis · very cute 
   

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Picture #182

[ . . . With one day to go, I dug out the “make-up miles” list and knocked another measure off while touring Camp Pendleton. I returned to find that San Diego’s North County News was on base for a final interview preceding my highly-anticipated arrival. The story was a gimmie, but I was asked to bike up and down the street countless times to give the photographer a chance to snap a perfect picture for the article. After all that effort, the editor selected a posed, stationary photo. Still, my smile was genuine, as was the Iron Butterfly t-shirt I proudly sported. (full pic tomorrow.) It was one of those rare “I made it” smiles that sometimes make it to the history books, but then, Jim Petretta is no Pedro. . . ] (Picture taken on August 30, 1995; Picture and article courtesy of The Blade-Citizen, North County, August 31, 1995) 

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Picture #183

[ . . . After making final hotel arrangements at the Super 8, our team left the base for my final biking day to the planned destination city of San Diego. Melinda and Courtney rode with Carl ; they spent the final Super 8 night with us, to be available for the last mile in the support vehicle. While they played Rummy, I slipped off into introspective contemplation, then slumber. ] (Article courtesy of North County News, August 31, 1995)