Six years ago today in the early morning hours while most people were sleeping soundly in their beds, Dallas Police Department Officer Brian Jackson responded to a domestic disturbance. A woman needed help. Her ex-boyfriend, not content with the normal amount of terror he probably imposed on her in cycles throughout their time together, decided that his threats would mean more if he brought a gun and fired it in the house while threatening her. When the police arrived, he ran. Brian Jackson ran after him. The suspect ran into a yard and hid, ambushing Officer Jackson as he gave chase. The suspect then gave up after running out of rounds. There was cry for help and Officer Jackson responded. The suspect attempted to flee so he could perhaps revisit terror on his victims. Officer Jackson pursued. The suspect was captured. This was Officer Jackson’s last call for service.
I was young officer in field training when this all happened. Officer Jackson’s funeral was my first police funeral and I will never forget it. Full of touching tributes to a fallen hero.
Today was a little different. Less pomp and circumstance but a tribute none the less. Members of Team Texas gathered to honor Brian Jackson’s memory. You are not forgotten.
Thank you Jo Ann for helping us remember what “Never forget” means.
No, we did not take the summer off. In fact, we’ve been busier than ever. Team Texas has done more this summer than any previous summer before us. Motivated by the family members of those we rode for this past May, Team Texas came home and took the momentum from the 2011 Road to Hope and ran with it. We’ve been busy and we’ve got so much to catch everyone up on.
Our very own Amber Maher made the trip up North the Concerns of Police Survivors Kids Camp. Team Texas is so proud of Amber for taking part in this. After all, this is what we are all about when it comes down to it.
A big thanks to the Carrollton Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association for hosting and facilitating a garage sale to raise funds for a TEAM TEXAS TRAILER!!! The garage sale was a HUGE success thanks to the volunteers from the Alumni Association. We can’t thank them enough for helping us raise funds for the trailer.
We’ve still got a lot going on but I don’t want to let any cats out of their respective bags prematurely. If you are in the DFW area and want to come out to support Team Texas, save the date December 2nd on your calendars. As we get confirmation about what and when this fundraiser is going down, I’ll make sure to let everyone know.
I had no doubt a 250 mile bicycle ride would be challenging prior to making the flight to Virginia. I had no experience on a road bike and had no idea of what to expect. In a pre-ride meeting one of the speakers gave some advice on how to take our mind off the fatigue we would surely feel during our ride to Washington D.C. He said take a look down to the black bracelet on your wrist and think about the officer you are riding for and the family they left behind. I do not like to be defeated, but I would be lying if I said there weren’t several times during the 250 miles when I wanted to quit. It was at these times, when my legs were burning so intensely, that my toes were numb, I would think about Officer Kevin Marceau whose name was stamped on that black bracelet around my wrist. Officer Marceau was injured in the line of duty and spent the last fourteen years of his life confined to a wheelchair and unable to communicate. I have no words to describe the inspiration this gave me knowing that my physical suffering was nothing compared to the physical and emotional suffering of Officer Marceau and his family.
I never had a chance to meet Officer Marceau or any of the other thousands of officers who have been killed in the line of duty, but I am honored to be able to do something to show them and their families they will never be forgotten. I had the honor of meeting the parents of Kevin Marceau shortly after returning to Texas and hand over the little black bracelet that kept me going on my journey.
The violence that people inflict on one another continues to amaze me. I will never understand why anyone would want to hurt the ones who have sworn to protect them. Unfortunately, I know police officers will continue to be killed in senseless acts and in my own selfish way I pray that it will never happen to any of the hundreds of officers I have met in my short four years in this career. Three hundred sixteen names were added to the Law Enforcement Memorial walls this year. It is hard to grasp the idea that each one of those officers went to work every day to do the same job I love so much and never made it home.
This is our fourth year to ride, and in the previous years I would walk into the event not knowing what to expect. The endurance, stamina and overall selflessness of both riders as they endured the ride, and the survivors as they endured the beginning stages of moving forward absolutely amazed me. I would find myself in awe as I rode along witnessing the riders put recent injuries or surgeries in the background as they carried the names of the fallen officers to D.C. Or, to be speechless when a survivor would put a rider’s wellbeing before the pain of having lost their loved one. I literally walked around scratching my head, saying to myself “Wow! What strength.”
This year, I entered the event thinking that I could not see anything that could compete with what I had witnessed in the past. I mean, everyone who is there is doing this because they care and they want to help honor the fallen and support the families. The LEU organization and the participants have HUGE hearts and this event thrives on selflessness. But, how could this happen again?
This year I had not only the privilege to ride with some great officers who show that they care and refuse to forget the fallen and refuse to allow these families to go through this alone, but I was surrounded by even more. This year, there were about a dozen survivors who rode in the LEU event. Just as a few examples: there was a niece riding for her uncle and representing the family, a couple riding for their son-in-law, a son riding for his father, and a wife riding for her husband AND five other fallen officers from around the area she lives because the families could not make it. What courage it takes to walk into an event, surrounded by people you don’t know, not knowing what to expect from the other riders around you, and not knowing what you are about to experience. What sense of responsibility it takes to endure the three days of physically demanding work to carry the memory of someone so close to you. What faith it takes believing that there is some sense of closure awaiting at the end. What understanding it takes to see other whole families around you while you ride for the one who is no longer there. What love it takes. What strength
This year again demonstrated that this is so much more than just a ride from Virginia to D.C. More than a group event. More than just a bracelet with a name on it. It is a sacrifice that was made by an officer. A sacrifice that continues with a family as they move forward. It’s a group of people that care and surround these families with love and compassion to let them know they are not alone. It’s taking care of the logistics to get the families to D.C. to hear their loved one’s name called out one last time for final roll call. It’s also raising money to help the families get the support they need to move forward and for the surviving children to experience a kids camp designed just for them.
Thank you to all of those who donated their time and money to make this event possible. Thank you to all of those who have shared this experience with us by following along and supporting our efforts. Thank you also to our families who supported us in taking the time away to be there for other families. We are all a family and families take care of each other. Thank you to everyone.
Please remember your officers as they serve their communities. Please remember the survivors and add them to your prayer lists.
To my Father God: though I walk through the valleys of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me. To the evil doers: I stand firm and unwavering to protect these lives against oppression, against evil, against you. My life and the lives I protect do not come freely…Come and take it!
Day one is very exciting and full of anxiety for a first time rider of this event. No matter how much you think you’ve prepared, you’re just not certain how daunting of a task you have signed up for. Did I prepare enough? Just how hard is this going to be? You start with the determination of a warrior and know that you are going to finish no matter the cost but you’re just not sure of the toll it’s going to take on you. You then can’t help but relate that feeling, though paling in comparison, to what the survivors must feel when a pillar of their family was taken from them. Did we prepare enough? Just how hard is this going to be?
The whistle blows and we say a prayer. Everyone starts rolling out and we fall in line. The early morning air is chilling but fresh and we feel great to finally be under way. As the day warms up and our blood starts pumping we start peeling the layers back. The first few stops come and go and are welcome breaks. We see the first signs of people’s support as they stop their cars to get out and wave or take pictures. Some come out of their houses to watch and wave as we roll by.
It’s easy to become jaded or cynical in this job. It’s easy to develop an ‘us vs them’ mentality. So easy in fact, you may have to consciously make an effort, constantly remind yourself that not everyone views the police through eyes of contempt. We deal with people when they’re at their worst; we see the evil in the world on such a daily basis it almost seems the norm. We know that less than one percent of our profession abuse the badge but we’ll always see that fraction as the top news stories. We get complained on and told we have no compassion because someone didn’t feel they deserved the citation they were written. Unfortunately some of us in this profession do become distrustful of everyone and pessimistic of the human spirit in general. I can’t judge them; I’ve caught myself more than a time or two saying something out of character. It is events like this however that remind us in a big way, that people still have faith in police and appreciate their service. When we roll by the elementary school and the kids line up for high fives, it fills me with motivation and inspires me. I feel the pride I felt when I first put on the badge and am reminded that young kids will still list police officers as one of their heroes when asked.
Back to the pavement with fresh motivation, the next score of miles seem to be effortless. The miles keep piling on however and the fatigue starts setting in. Each rest stop the tireless support personnel have cold drinks and snacks laid out for us. Lifesavers. Beautiful people. The medical personnel are constantly walking around asking if we need sunscreen, pain relievers, bio freeze, etc. Heroes. Every one of ‘em.
At the end of the first day, we roll in to our hotel and collapse on the grass by our trailer. We feel like we’ve just accomplished a feat of endurance riding over 100 miles in one day and know, ‘we got this!’ The last two days aren’t near as long, seventy something and then 40 something miles; piece of cake compared to that right? Then the veterans of the ride tell us, “wait til you see the hills tomorrow, you’ll wish it was just a 100 miles again.” Awesome.
Day two begins with groans and grimaces as we get back on our saddles. Ouch. We roll out almost in a daze without conscious thought. The miles wear on. We hit our first hill and I think ‘hill’ seems like an understatement. Rolling up to it, you can’t even see the top cause it rises so steep the trees obscure the view of it. Grrrrr! Attaaaaack! We attack the hill and run out of momentum not even a third of the way up. Then it’s the burn. Climbing on the lowest gear we have and still it burns! You finally reach the top and immediately start to question how much you have left for the rest of the ride because it’s not even lunchtime of day two. Then of course you have Derick telling you, “that was just the warm up!”
And he wasn’t lying. I’m not sure of the origins but our team came up with a place we liked to visit called the pain cave. I think we all visited this place and dwelled in it the rest of the day as the hills rolled on. You see riders helping other riders by putting an arm around ‘em and pulling them. Just when you’re mind starts going numb along with the rest of you, you pass under a bridge with a row of deputies lined on top. The deputies are decked out in their best uniforms and all are saluting until every rider passes. Goose bumps. Fresh motivation. A reminder of why you’re doing this. You then can’t help but to think again of the correlation between you’re physical struggle and what the survivors have to endure after losing that beloved family member. The climbs, the pain cave, the occasional support from others, the numbness.
The level of support grows at each stop, with more people, fire trucks with flags flying from the ladders, officers saluting on the roadside, and bag pipes playing with full regalia as we roll through town after town. The hills get bigger too and the weariness grows. Along with that weariness I feel our team camaraderie growing as well, and after a team dinner, day two ends around the hotel washing machine cracking jokes.
Day three finally arrives and we’re all excited we only have 49 miles left! The motivation of it being the last day keeps us all going and in good spirits. We hit a few hard hills here and there reminding us of the struggle the day before. The last half of the day we ride into DC in an ordered two file formation and stop at the DEA headquarters. The Black and Gold Pipe Band honor us with their music and an awesome reciting of a poem…………
“When I hear the call of the pipes
and the tattoo of the drums as they echo in the hills,
I will come and stand the line.
And you should know this,
That whether you stand the line with me or against me,
I will fight till death.
And if the Lord should decide to take me before you,
Then you should know this.
That my brothers and sons and my sisters and
Daughters will pick up my sword and continue to
Stand the line.
For oppression, anarchy and evil shall not prevail,
As long as I,
Stand the line.
Today,
Let us remember those warriors
Who stood beside us,
Today,
Let us remember,
We carry their swords.”
I have to admit, the haunting tune of the bag pipes get me every time and this time is certainly no exception.
From there we ride across the street to the Pentagon, the final stop before heading to the hotel. Everyone there is a survivor and many of the riders with us are survivors. The emotions come to the surface and a lot of hugs are passed around as well as fist bumps for completing the gruesome trek.
The next day we meet the families of those we rode for and give them the bracelets and flags that we carried. The amount of gratitude and emotions are overwhelming. I see the kids that are survivors and hear the money that was raised by this ride for the C.O.P.S. camp. That in itself makes it all worth it. I can’t help but think if something were to happen to me, I would want this amount of support for my family. It is a humbling experience and I vow to myself not to take things for granted or sweat the small stuff.
I’ve said many a prayer now for those families and will continue to do so, that their day three will come.
I felt proud of my team for being part of this and for enduring the ride to do it. I thank everyone that helped make it happen, as Otis said, we are not the only members of this team but everyone that supported us had a hand in it. Without y’all this would not be possible and we truly appreciate you’re support. That goes to our donors who gave money, our family members that allowed us the time, and our co-workers that covered our shifts for us. Thank y’all.
Our third and final day of the ride started out like most of the others. The route took us into Washington DC on a weekday. For this reason, we departed later than normal allowing rush hour traffic to die down. The extra sleep was welcome. There was also a palpable optimism in the air. Don’t misunderstand me to believe that the other days did not contain positive attitudes. Positive attitudes were abundant on the ride but there was an ominous understanding that there was a long road ahead of us. Day three was a little different. The road would still contain its difficulties and 50 miles is no roll through the park but there was hope. The end was in sight.
The ride out of the hotels was an exercise in extremes. First the cold grabbed us as we rolled down hill. Then a hill would come and we’d exert to the point of perspiration. The lingering perspiration then gave us the chills on the next down hill. For all its extremes, the first leg was short. Our first break was at the Marine Corps Museum of Quantico.
While there was plenty to drink and eat, the rest stop has an unfortunate downfall; there’s nowhere to use the restroom.
Many of the riders, among whom I am not counted, are former Marines. Caleb is a former Marine.
For them, this is sacred ground. As well it should be. Thus, our normal operating procedure of expediting the nature break process should be avoided on the premises. Amber said she saw a couple of guys scurry off into the woods. I’m fairly sure a Marine with bayonet fixed jumped out of the bushes and surprised them.
Of course you can’t go to the Marine Corps museum without a friendly push off.
Past the Marine Corps Museum, the fun with hills begins again. There’s nothing on day 3 that will blow you away after you’ve seen day 2 but the hills will make you hurt. Still, there were plenty of folks honoring those we were riding for along the way. Seeing things like this only steels your resolve.
A well-positioned break point in between two hills is meant to carry us through to lunch. Spirits were high.
Sheldon showed me his spider man impression.
Having gone down one steep hill, we left the break to climb another. We went down another and we climbed another. You get the picture.
The ride into our lunch break is always very beautiful. We tend to draw the attention of some of the park’s visitors who welcome us with applause. Law Enforcement United…….welcomes us with bar-b-que.
Longer than most of our lunch breaks, there is some time for goofing around at lunch on the third day.
I also had the opportunity to snap a shot of the medical team getting a team picture. All the support staff stay so busy, you very rarely see all of them in one place. In fact, you’ll notice that Steve is curiously absent from most of the photos where we are goofing around on breaks. It’s because while we rest for a bit and take in some food and water, he was busy making sure the riders are being taken care of. All the support staff are truly awesome and devoted individuals.
I didn’t get a picture of all the support teams but here is Law Enforcement United’s awesome medical team.
With full stomachs, we dressed up our bikes and got back on the road.
The last leg is one of the best of the ride. The respect that passersby show to the memories of our fallen heroes is truly touching. The support they show for the riders is astounding.
At an “arrival ceremony” before the arrival ceremony, we were treated to some of the best pipes, drums, and motivation anyone could ask for.
The arrival ceremony takes place at the Pentagon on the hallowed grounds of the 9-11 memorial site.
We were welcomed by some very distinguished visitors.
With remarks by leaders from the Pentagon Force Protection Agency, Law Enforcement United, the Officer Down Memorial Page and Concerns of Police Survivors, we honored the memories of our fallen heroes by presenting Concerns of Police Survivors with a check for $135,000 and the Officer Down Memorial Page a check for $50,000. Chris Cosgriff gave credit to Law Enforcement United for helping the Officer Down Memorial Page with their first site overhaul in eight years. If you haven’t seen it, it looks awesome. There are some major user interface improvements as well. The attendees were then treated to Rob Costello singing, “The Road to Hope”.
Thanks to the National COPS office, you can watch the entire ceremony on youtube.
While the arrival ceremony was a fitting end for a ride, we weren’t staying at the pentagon. A short ride found us at our hotel where support staff and riders alike were abuzz with activity.
After sorting some things out and cleaning up, Team Texas had the traditional arrival dinner at Ted’s Montana Grill. If you ever find yourself near one, we highly recommend it. Consequently, Team Texas would also have our traditional post-arrival lunch the next day at the same place.
While there is some more blogging to do about this trip, this is the last one that concerns the actual ride portion. As such, I feel it appropriate to mention it’s purpose and meaning. The Law Enforcement United ride, the “Road to Hope”, is meant to be an analogy for the road to hope that line of duty death survivors travel down.
The ride we make is difficult. Of that, most can unanimously agree. Where we find some difference is in how it is difficult. Whether you ride 230 miles or drive a food vehicle from stop to stop, it is difficult for everyone. Even Scott Humphrey. That hasn’t stopped him from doing the ride year after year after year. For experienced riders like Scott, they know what is coming and what to expect so they can prepare the “first timers”. They’ve been down this road before. There are some folks who never find themselves on a bicycle. Maybe they can’t tell you exactly how it feels to have the miles on the bike wear on the body but they can tell you how being there for the riders demanded more of them than perhaps they initially expected. A support person greeting a rider might receive a smile or a thank you or nothing more than an indifferent glance from a physically exhausted and depleted soul.
Then there is Concerns of Police Survivors, an organization of survivors and supporters working for survivors. They’ll go down that road with you. They’ll help you. They know what to expect. They’ve been there before. Survivors like Maria Alvarado who lost her son, Cpl Richard Barreda, more than 14 years ago. Year after year, she’ll take that road with a family or families who need to know what’s down that road. This year, Team Texas as group rode in memory of Richard Berrea and presented Maria with a bracelet worn during the ride.
Day 3 was like the sun rising on a new day. Many still had bodies weary from day 2 and didn’t know if they could make it another hill. “What is day 3 like”, many first timers would ask. “I’m not going to lie. There are some hills that just plain suck but you’ve made it this far, you’ll make it the rest of the way”. I know I’d probably never make it to Day 3 without my fellow riders and support. There’s a good possibility I’d never even attempt the journey. Fortunately for me, there are riders who have been down this road before and the support to make sure I make my way down it too.
I don’t know because I’ve never been down that road but I’d bet there’s a “Day 3” for survivors too. It is true honor to be a part of Team Texas and Law Enforcement United supporting Concerns of Police Survivors and the Officer Down Memorial Page. I can’t walk that road for the survivors, but I can be there for them and make sure they know they are not alone. COPS will show them that there is a journey, they’ve been there and know the way. They can show them there’s a road and at the end there is hope.
Day 2 started off like day 2 has started off every year I have done the ride: cloudy, cold, and to the collective groans of hundreds of riders mounting back up on their bicycle seat the day after riding 100+ miles. There’s not much that can really be done about the groaning. Until today, the weather seemed almost as much a main stay as the former. The odds makers in Vegas don’t rate the likely hood of sunny weather on May 11th very highly in Virginia. At least they wouldn’t if they’d seen what I have seen the past few years. Needless to say, the overcast morning did not inspire much confidence in the sunny forecast. Fortunately for the riders of Law Enforcement United, this year day 2 was going to break tradition in that respect.
Speaking with most riders, almost unanimously, they agreed that the alarm came to early this morning. Apparently, the day before kind of took it out of us. We all gathered downstairs and got ready for the day ahead.
The ride got started. I don’t have much to say about this next picture. It speaks for itself.
Day 1 we cover so much ground there isn’t much spare time. Day 2 is a bit different and we get to be a part of some special memorial ceremonies that coincide with our breaks. The first rest stop we remembered two fallen officers. Officer Andre Gerard Booker and Trooper Jessica Jean Cheney both died near where the memorial ceremony was taking place and we were honored by the presence of those they had left behind. We listened to officers from both of their agencies speak and shared the moment with Jessica’s parents.
The run up to the second rest stop gave a small taste of the hills to come and it was time to put on the war face.
Then there was Caleb and Sheldon. I took a picture of their war faces but….honestly….this is kind of the way they look all the time.
After we got back on the road, it wasn’t long before we were greeted by one of the local volunteer fire departments with tradition fresh strawberries and PB+J sandwiches.
After lunch, we rode to a rest stop where we were warmly welcomed by members of an agency who were holding a memorial ceremony for Deputy Sheriff Dean Ridings who had just died the previous year.
The hills rolled on and we rolled up them. We stopped in to vist with Todd Bahr, his agency and family. The memorial bench they have outside their building is beautiful.
The last rest stop of the day is in the middle of Stafford County. Stafford County, its agencies, and its citizens have always given the best and biggest welcomes. It is only fitting because it is probably where we as riders need it the most. As one anonymous rider next to me today said, “There hearts are big but the hills are bigger.” I might contest that statement but I’ll concede it is a close call.
I also happened to catch a little video of the man himself as he rode into the rest stop.
With Stafford County leading the way, we honored their fallen deputies Mooney and Humphrey.
After that it was short ride to the hotel with “one more hill” about three or four times. Day 2 is a rough day for many riders. Travis is one of our first year riders and I remember how tough day 2 was for me that first year. A constant source of inspiration is why and WHO we are riding for. We ride for our fallen AND those they’ve left behind. Travis took what I intended to be a comedic moment and, with single minded focus that obviously got him through this tough day, said it as best as it can be said.
Again, for you numbers folks, here are the cold hard stats. Again, these numbers are lower than the actual totals because I forgot to restart my computer a few times leaving rest stops.
Miles: 71.6
Time actually on the bike: 4 hours 35 minutes
Average Speed: 15.6 mph
Ascent total: 4400 feet
My Average Heart rate: 123bpm
My Calories Burned: 2855
This year Team Texas has a total of nine riders. Of those nine riders, five are first time riders. All five of those riders rode their first century (100 miles) today. The ability to do this is not only a testament to their dedication but also to the amount of support we receive. At every stop there are food personnel and medics running around and checking on everybody.
The route took us from Chesapeake to Richmond.
The send off ceremony was awesome. We had opening remarks from State of Virginia Representative Randy Forbes and a keynote address from Supervisory Special Agent Tom Ostrosky. It was the perfect way to start the day and the trip. Everyone left ready and motivated.
The morning started off a little chilly but not as cold as some previous years. Still, it was too much for some.
The ride out of Chesapeake was good warmup. We seemed to move out at a pretty good rate of speed. The first reststop was a welcome sight for most riders.
Past the first rest stop, it was pretty steady and manageable pace for the next 30 or so miles. No real hills to speak of, just some rollers.
In keeping with tradition, we took a Carrollton contingent team picture at the Carrollton, VA Volunteer Fire Station.
The highlight for most riders during the first day is probably the elementary school we pass along the route. In years past, the teachers stop class and line their students up outside along the road and they cheer us on as we go by. It’s definitely the highlight for me. This year, Law Enforcement United surprised us and coordinated with the school to allow us to stop in and say. I took a few photos as we were riding in of riders giving students high fives as they passed.
Kevin introduced himself to one of the teachers and left a gift.
After the ferry ride, things started to get a bit tougher. The long breaks from lunch and the ferry took their toll on legs as they cooled down and lactic acid began to settle. I still enjoy the breaks and the opportunity to ride a ferry, something we don’t see much of down in our parts.
Still, the miles wore on and as we got closer to Richmond, spirits began to rise. Some quicker than others.
All in all, it was a long day but a good one. We’re were blessed with great weather and, to my knowledge, no serious injuries. We did have a few riders go down hard and prayers would be much appreciated.
For you numbers folks, here are the cold, hard stats from my gps bike computer. I did forget to turn it on a few times leaving rest stops so the numbers are lower than the actual totals from today. I think I missed approximately two to three miles:
Miles: 102
Time actually on the bike: 6 hours 57 minutes
Average Speed: 14.7 mph
Ascent total: 4200 feet
My Average Heart rate: 118bpm
My Calories Burned: 3737
Tomorrow is 74miles of some of Virginia’s finest hills. Wish us luck. We may need it.
As I write this blog, the countdown on our main website reads this:
Tomorrow morning we will wake up and embark on a three day, 235ish mile bicycle ride in memory of law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty. The treasurer for Law Enforcement United is keeping the total donations that we are making to Concerns of Police Survivors and Officer Down Memorial Page a closely guarded secret for now. I think we find out tomorrow at the send off ceremony.
Our hotel in Virginia is buzzing with activity even now. So much work goes into making this happen on the part of Law Enforcement United. Team Texas is extremely lucky and proud to be a part of such an exceptional organization. Team Texas helped the food team out with loading the trailers. Imagine feeding and watering 350 bicycle riders covering 235 miles in three days and you’ll get some concept at the amount of water, gatorade, and fixin’s that goes into this. Again, Law Enforcement United has been working to get all of this together for some time now.
The clothes are laid out, the bike computer is charging and we’re all hydrating. Thanks to all of you who helped get us here: our sponsors, our co-workers and our families. I’ve said this before and I’ll keep saying it: Team Texas is far more than we ten here in Virginia, it’s all of you who have helped support us. You all are a huge part of this huge endeavor and gesture we are making to let the families of fallen officers know, WE WILL NEVER FORGET!
