Marine Corps Base Quantico -- Marines from Marine Corps Base Quantico took a motorcycle ride to Mt. Vernon, George Washington’s mansion and estate, last week. The ride was a part of Headquarters and Service Bn. monthly rides.
At 9:30 on Thursday morning, six motorcycles were parked in front of Bruce Hall, the dining facility, ready to go. A temperature of 35 degrees Fahrenheit kept the number of riders down, but those few Marines from across H&S Bn. were bundled up and waiting to get started.
Capt. Ross Garnett, the supply and logistics officer for H&S Bn. brought out inspection sheets for each bike and rider. Inspections were done by the other riders to ensure the vehicle’s were within standards set forward by the Marine Corps orders.
After everyone was inspected and ready to go, the bikers made their way onto the open road.
The route for the day took the riders up Route 1 toward Mt. Vernon where they parked and made their way onto the estate.
The riders toured George Washington’s estate where they learned about Washington’s birth and upbringing, and how he acquired the land and mansion. After seeing the inside of the mansion and several of the other key locations on the estate, the riders mounted up and began the ride to Woodbridge to grab some chow before heading back to base.
“This is an opportunity for Marines to come together and do something they love,” said Garnett. “We have a good time, and because we inspect the bikes and equipment, we learn some things and ensure that our rides and gear are safe.”
The battalion rides and meetings are a monthly and are announced through “The Beast,” the H&S Bn. newsletter.
“We hold meetings sometime in the first week of the month and rides during the last week,” said Garnett. “That way we can plan our rides and routes way ahead and look for things that might be good educational opportunities, like Mt. Vernon.”