If you’ve ever visited Carlino’s West Chester location in April and noticed a tandem bike parked in front with a sizable American flag and pair of boots planted where the second seat should be, don’t worry, it’s rider is customer and Berwyn resident Lew Meyer. He’s been riding this unique bicycle during this month for the last five years and admits the bike does draw attention, but for very good reasons.
Around this time of year, Meyer is in strict training mode, and can be found cycling along the roads of the Main Line 3-5 days out of the week. He’s focused, and motorists along his route notice. “At least once a mile, I get a honk or thumbs up” says Meyer. “[One time] a person held their hands out of the window and clapped… such an inspiration.”
Meyer’s month of hard training is in preparation for this weekend, when he will travel 110 miles over a two day period from the Pentagon to the historic battlegrounds of Gettysburg. This amazing feat is all part of the Face of America ride, an event organized by World T.E.A.M. Sports for over a decade that honors service men and women who have been wounded or injured. This year, nearly 600 veterans are expected to ride, including 150 injured veterans. Many active and retired military, disabled veterans, and able-bodied citizens join in the event. Meyer is a retired veteran, having served nearly a quarter century in the Navy. Having participated in the ride for the last six years, he says “I ride for those that didn’t come back.” One such proof of Meyer’s commitment to ride lies in the black combat boots fastened to the back seat of his twin bike.
The boots did not belong to Meyer during his time of service, but to World War II veteran Seamus Garrahy, who lived in Gettysburg and strongly supported the Face of America riders. “A pair of 155mm guns [were set up] and cyclists would ride underneath” recalls Meyer. “The Gettysburg fire department had a 15 foot ladder truck, and at the top of the ladder was [what seemed] the largest flag you’ve ever seen. Along the road people were cheering and you could hear bagpipes…” Meyer coughs, mentioning he gets all choked up at the thought. He came to admire the World War II veteran and got to know him, mentioning that Garrahy did much by way of military camaraderie. “He claims to have been a corporal, but in my book he’s a general. He had a great command of the men around him in building camaraderie.” During their friendship, Meyer was honored to receive Garrahy’s boots. They are now displayed faced backwards in honor of Seamus Garrahy, who passed away two years ago, as well as those fallen in battle.
In past events, Meyer has savored small moments that also inspire him to return to the Face of America ride every year. “Some of the guys don’t have legs or are missing an arm… The guys without legs use hand cycles. They handle levels (ground) and down hills okay, but some don’t have the shoulders (strength) for it yet, so we hook up broomsticks to the back of their bike. One year, there was a larger guy (good shape, mostly muscle) who didn’t have use of his legs. As he went up a hill, one guy grabbed a broomstick to help him but it was more than he could handle. Then a second guy came with a hand on his back, and a third came to help. There were three of them helping this one guy and they started singing the Marine Corps, Army, Navy, and Air Force Hymns” says Meyer, coughing again, “it was beautiful.”
Meyer has been a regular customer for nearly 10 years. “I really enjoy Carlino’s” he notes, “It seems every time I visit the store things are moved and shifted around. I like it. It makes things fresh.” Meyer frequents the West Chester market where he “bonded with [Executive Cheesemonger]Patty [Church]”. Having attended Michigan State University where he received “a degree in milk, butter, and ice cream,” and took a heavy interest in cheesemaking, he enjoys discussing cheeses (like parmigiano) with a kindred soul, and says “I’m amazed in Patty’s skills and expertise. It’s delightful to know her.”
After this weekend, you won’t see Meyer’s unique cycle, which is borrowed from a friend. “I only ride the bike during my month of training,” says Meyer, but he still regularly rides his own personal bike with a group of friends who frequent local shops and markets as well as Carlino’s. However, Meyer enjoys this time of year and getting to see and hear people’s reactions whenever riding, saying “I’m always impressed by the patriotism of citizens of the area.” As Meyer preps for and rides in the race this weekend, he will offer something special to those that give him a honk or a wave, “it’s tradition to salute back when you’re saluted, so I make sure to pop a salute back to people when I get a response.”
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Please share this article in support of Lew Meyer, World T.E.A.M. Sports, Face of America, and the battle-damaged men and women who have proudly served our nation.
“All blessings to you, Lew, as you ride!” – The Carlino Family
