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Usually when you hear about celebrities and veterans or active service members interacting with one another, it’s the celebrity that’s giving back in appreciation for the individual’s service to the nation. But in this instance, things were a bit different.

The Boss on the Side of the Road

It was warmer than normal that Veterans Day morning and, like millions of awesome Americans all over this country do all the time, Bruce Springsteen decided to take full advantage of the beautiful weather in New Jersey to take his motorcycle out for a ride.

Unfortunately for him, he ran into some issues on the open road. And he might have gotten stuck, too, had it not been for the three Freehold American Legion Post 54 Legion Riders — Dan Barkalow, Bob Grigs and Ryan Bailey — who, too, thought it was a great day for a ride. But nothing could have prepared this group of good Samaritans for what was going to happen that day.

Out on their ride, as they turned a bend, they saw a lone man stranded by his bike on the side of the road. Not ones to shy away from serving the American people, this devoted group of veteran motorcyclists pulled over to render aid.

“I Think I Know You.”

Barkalow spoke up and mentioned that Springsteen looked familiar. To everyone’s elation, it was true. After they spent some time trying to fix Springsteen’s bike, they threw in the towel and gave him a ride instead to the Mulligan’s restaurant in Farmingdale.

In his show of gratitude, Springsteen threw down a $100 bill and a simple “keep the change.” But that isn’t all.

The “Born in the USA” singer also got the phone numbers of all three of the guys who bothered to give him a hand that day. So whether it’s for a big thank you or the opportunity for a good ride through winding country roads with some new veteran friends, one thing’s for sure, these guys probably have a lot more coming than they anticipated.

Why We Cherish Veterans

Veterans are used to serving others. In fact, it more or less becomes a matter of habit. There’s a strong sense of obligation that many veterans feel toward their country and its citizens. This sense of duty and service is what makes our military the greatest force for good on this planet.

Veterans like Barkalow, Grigs and Bailey are a great example of what our military turns out on a daily basis — concerned citizens who care when others are in need. The “thank yous” and rewards are nice, but I think it’s safe to say that these guys weren’t expecting a reward before they stopped. They simply did it because it was the right thing to do.

Supporting veterans and being relentlessly patriotic are our main themes here at Nine Line News and our one singular cause is America. In doing so, we figure that shedding a light on veterans is the way to go. Feel free to support these veteran cause partners here. It’s a cause that will get you an awesome shirt and a great dose of satisfaction, knowing you’ve served an honest cause.