FROM: Larry Carpenter, Sacramento, Member, California State Division.
PST
The NPEA is active all year promoting and preserving the History of the Pony Express and the Pony Express National Historic Trail. All 8 State Divisions have a number of events, parades, and local community activities they participate in. Each September the NPEA holds their annual Convention to conduct business, review the Re-ride, get updates on the Trail, and plan for the next Re-ride. Everything starts to come together and get focused in the Spring as the Ride approaches. Many State Divisions have Swearing-In Dinners where updates on the Ride are given, Riders take the Pony Express Oath, new Riders issued Bibles and older Riders are given longevity patches, and there is great fellowship and anticipation of the upcoming Ride. Due to distances often times the entire Division cannot meet, so they happen on a regional basis. Some Riders are Sworn before they step into the stirrups or slap on the mochila at Exchange/Relay points.
This year the Nevada Division met June 11 at Grandma Hatties Restaurant in Carson City. This is their normal monthly meeting time and place, but this month they received updates on the Ride and Riders were Sworn (took the Pony Express Oath). On Saturday, June 13th, the Colorado Division had a BBQ and Swearing In Dinner at the Welcome Center in Julesburg. It was Sponsored by the Sedgwick County Chamber of Commerce. The same night, the California Division held their Annual Swearing-In Dinner at the Rescue Community Center, in Rescue (El Dorado County). President Rich Tatman officiated and Riders and Members participating took the Oath and received updates on Trail conditions, and assignments. New Riders received Bibles in the tradition of Russell, Majors, and Waddell, and Year Patches given out to experienced Riders, and Ride Pins (Missouri) to all members.
There is a lot of tradition that goes into the Re-ride, and these Ride Dinners are a part of that.