15th Annual Shrine Trail Ride In Memory of Richard “Dick” Bayless, Sr., At Natchez Trace State Park. The Fifteenth Annual Al Chymia Shrine Trail Ride was held at the Wrangler Campground in Natchez Trace State Park, near Wildersville, Tennessee, on October 17th, 18th and 19th 2008. The Al Chymia Shrine Carroll County Mounted Patrol of Bruceton, Tennessee, which sponsors this trail ride, dedicated this years ride in memory of their member, Nobel Dick Bayless, who passed away on May 15, 2008. Mr. Dick, as he was called, gave his time, loyalty and commitment to the Mounted Patrol and its mission of working on behalf of the children of the Shriners Hospitals for Children. Known for his positive attitude, tireless energy and overwhelming generosity, Mr. Dick strongly believed there was no project too large for the Mounted Patrol to tackle on behalf of the Hospitals. Richard “Dick” Bayless, Sr. will truly be missed. The fall temperature was perfect for horseback riding and park activities, and the campground was filled to capacity by Tuesday, October 14th, in support of this trail ride which benefits the Shriners Hospitals. Horses and riders came from as far away as Oklahoma, Texas, Missouri, Arkansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, and Alabama, in order to be a part of the events being sponsored by the Mounted Patrol. By registering for the trail ride, campers and riders were invited to participate in a variety of activities, including a free meal of hamburgers and hotdogs with all the trimmings on Friday night. In the meantime, several members of the Al Chymia Memphis Shrine began the all-night duty of cooking twenty-one shoulders for the upcoming Saturday night BBQ meal. Trail riders of all ages rode horses, mules and ponies all weekend in order to take advantage of every hour they could spend in the saddle enjoying the wooded beauty of Natchez Trace. On one of the camper’s registration ticket, Dean Mays of Arlington, Tennessee, wrote, “I’m 74 years old and this is my first time to ride.” So in essence, this wholesome family-oriented event brought together families from across the southeast, to ride their mounts (some for the very first time), enjoy nature at one of Tennessee’s beautiful state parks, and support one of the finest charitable organizations in the United States, the Shriners Hospitals for Children. Another example of Shriners spreading the message of their mission on behalf of children with medical needs was confirmed at the 2008 trail ride. However, let us back up and give some history leading up to this story. One week before the 2007 Shrine Trail Ride, a couple of families made a trip to Natchez Trace to camp for the entire week as their combined vacation. When they found out there was going to be a “trail ride” the following weekend, they decided to stay and enjoy the trail ride activities. On a visit to the Park Pavilion where the Shriners gathered to talk to trail ride attendees about the medical care given to children at the Shriners Hospitals for Children, the grandmother of this family listened to the explanations and answers given by the Shriners and Lady Shriners. She asked if the Shriners Hospitals could possibly repair her grandson’s burned hand? One of the Lady Shriners present was Mrs. Kay Douglas, a retired high school teacher and guidance counselor who asked if she could see the little boy’s hand. “Jewel” the grandmother suddenly left and brought her two and one-half year old grandson, Ace, back to the park pavilion. It seems that in March 2007, Ace had fallen into a campfire and burned his hand on the hot coals. His hand had previously been operated on, but the ligament damage and resulting scar tissue that formed prevented Ace from touching his fingers together or bending the palm of his little hand which was locked in an open position. When Mrs. Douglas saw Ace’s hand, she called for the Mounted Patrol Shriners to come look at Ace’s hand. With emphasis added, Mrs. Douglas said, “This will not do, because this child cannot hold a pencil to get his education.” And as Paul Harvey says, “This is the rest of the story.” Nobel Melvin Pipes of the Al Chymia Pickwick Shrine Club was instrumental in following through with the procedures for obtaining medical care for Ace at the Shriners Hospitals for Children in Cincinnati. As soon as surgery could be scheduled, Ace and his family were transported by Nobel Lester Lynch of the Al Chymia Transportation Department to the Cincinnati hospital for corrective surgery and follow-up medical care. As young Ace continues to grow in size, it will be necessary for him to undergo further care at the Cincinnati hospital in order to compensate for the growth of the hand. On Saturday evening, after the cowboys and cowgirls enjoyed the BBQ plate dinners and desserts, Grandmother “Jewel” asked the Shriners if she could speak to the crowd which was gathered around for the annual Saturday night Auction. As she spoke, “Jewel” was overcome with emotion as she told Ace’s story, and what it meant to her family to come in contact with the Shriners. Jewel and her family have dedicated the third weekend of each October as their vacation time, which will be spent at the Annual Shrine Trail Ride assisting in raising money for the Hospitals. As would be expected in a situation such as this, there were not enough tissues on hand to dry the eyes of the audience. The family was truly thankful for the Shriners Hospitals for Children and all Shriners who continue to spread the message. A favorite tradition at the Shrine Trail Ride is the Saturday night Auction which is always filled with fellowship, fun and competitive bidding. Prior to the Auction, Carroll County Mounted Patrol Captain Bill Lemons, and Secretary Darrell Douglas presented Dick Bayless’s daughters, Mrs. Susan Bouldin of McKenzie, Tennessee, and Ms. Rosa Lee Bayless of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, with framed copies of the Mounted Patrol’s tribute to their late father. Needless to say, Saturday was a wonderful day to be at Natchez Trace State Park. Sunday morning church service was conducted by Reverend Cayce Wyatt of Bruceton, Tennesssee. At twelve noon on Sunday, everyone gathered at the pavilion one last time for the drawings for a Tucker endurance saddle and a beautiful western saddle. Mrs. Kelly Denton of Brighton, Tennessee, won the Tucker saddle, and Martin Eason of Bruceton, Tennessee was the lucky winner of the western saddle. As Martin had just purchased a new horse, he was thrilled to have a brand new saddle to ride. The Al Chymia Shrine Carroll County Mounted Patrol is proud to sponsor this annual trail ride to benefit the Shriners Hospital for Children. The Shriners own and operate 22 hospitals across the country, medical care of which is provided free of charge for children under the age of 18 years. Shriners Hospitals for Children is a one-of-a-kind health care system dedicated to improving the lives of children by providing pediatric specialty care, innovative research and outstanding teaching programs. Every year, they provide care for thousands of kids with orthopaedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries, and cleft lip and palate in a caring and nurturing family-centered environment at no charge. It is how Shriners Hospitals help kids do what they otherwise could not do. The Mounted Patrol sends its sincere thanks and appreciation to the many campers and riders who participate and financially support this trail ride, the volunteers who donate their time and energy to put on this ride, and the corporate and individual sponsors who donate money, saddles, and merchandise for both the auction as well as door prizes. The Al Chymia Shrine Mounted Patrol can be seen throughout Carroll County and the surrounding West Tennessee counties riding their black Tennessee Walking Horses in Christmas parades and festivals. They are also scheduled to ride in the Liberty Bowl Parade in Memphis, Tennessee, in December. The men and their horses are ambassadors for the children of the Shriners Hospitals for Children, and will continue to carry the message, “We ride for the children.” For more information about the Al Chymia Shrine Carroll County Mounted Patrol, please call 731-586-3771. The Mounted Patrol cordially invites everyone to join them again at the Sixteenth Annual Shrine Trail Ride to be held the third weekend of October 2009, at the Wrangler Camp in Natchez Trace State Park, for the benefit of the children of the Shriners Hospitals for Children. For more information about the Shriners Hospitals for Children, please visit www.shriners4kids.org.