May 10, 2005
Local musicians will begin with Nancy Sinatra, and will continue to tour with thousands of motorcyclists in Operation Carry the Flame, ending on Memorial Day. The local band, Fletcher Bridge, was invited to join.
Ruckersville band, Fletcher Bridge, wrote and performed a song honoring those lost in war.
"It's about families that have lost POW's, MIA's, stuff like that," said Randy Elliott, lead singer of Fletcher Bridge. "[It's about] people like children or family members that are no longer around; and it's also about the tour. The song itself is called 'Carry the Flame'."
Operation Carry the Flame was so impressed; they invited them to headline their two week ride across the country.
"Every once in awhile a band would play here and there, but no one has ever toured with them before, so it was really an honor for them to ask us to do it," said Jamie Dean, the lead guitarist of the band.
But two weeks ago, their sponsor backed out and left the band to make some last minute changes.
"You know we've got other family members and just other organizations that we hooked up with that donated money for it. Some of them donated and some of them we borrowed from and we'll pay back," said Elliott.
"We were supposed to fly out and then we had to purchase a bus and drive their ourselves, which is fine, we're just happy to play music, but then our base player got sick, but he'll be there," said Dean.
These last minute changes didn't get them down or stop the musicians from finding a way to rock for a cause in their first major tour.
"They have really really good camaraderie, great communication skills and they're very laid back, so it's really easy to get along," said Fletcher Bridge's newest member, drummer Mike Lumar.
The band will be traveling in their $8,000 bus for almost three weeks and will be finishing not far from home in Staunton Virginia on May 26.
To donate to the band visit their website at fletcherbridge.com and send them an email. Otherwise you can donate to Operation Carry the Flame at: carrytheflame.org and click on donate.
Local Band Rocks For POW's 