Cpl Matt Dinning Ride for Heroes

Cpl Matt Dinning Memorial “Ride for Heroes” Day
August 22nd 2009. To be held again August 21st 2010

http://www.sheba.imports.com/ (Sheba Imports)

I am not the president of the committee who put this event together, just a member of 1 MPPLA who wanted to make this day a success, but I felt strongly that I wanted to report on the day and to thank publicly some of the people who worked tirelessly to make the first motor-cycle "Ride for heroes" day such a resounding success? It actually began on the Friday night (21st August) with a well attended "Meet and Greet" at the WO's and Sgt's mess at ASU London, so thank you goes to the PMC of the mess and the Mess Manager Chris Lennox and special thanks to Joy who did an outstanding job of keeping the beer and other drinks flowing. Many old friends showed up for this event and a lot of "war stories" were swapped over beer and pizza, some of those in attendance had served together recently in Afghanistan, while others went back over 30 years, (someone said "Way over") but it was a great way to start the weekend and was enjoyed by all.

Sgts and WOs mess Wolseley Barracks
Warrants and Sg't Mess, ASU London. For further information please contact
the Mess manager Chris Lennox at 519-660-8920 or email at lennox.cd@forces.gc.ca

The Dinning Ride Sat 22nd August 09

Saturday morning started out bleak and got worse, but in spite of the weather, roughly 100 plus riders braved the elements and rode from ASU London to Wingham Ontario in the rain and cold. So there is a big thank you to all who participated, many of whom had come from as far away as Kingston and Ottawa, from the riders and the Classic car group who participated, to the volunteers who worked tirelessly so we could achieve our goal and to the hundreds of people who braved the showers at Wingham airport to buy pins, magnets and t-shirts, with the profits going toward the scholarship fund. In London two people deserve special thanks, Pte Kristina Davis and Lindy Lystar who were kept busy selling shirts and pins, while assisting with the busy registration desk in the Royal School building and Tracy MacDuff who manned the merchandise booth at Wingham airport selling shirts and other merchandise, right up until the modular tent was literally taken down about her ears, even then she managed to sell another $60.00 worth of t-shirts as the tubular steel frame was being taken apart. Thanks must go to the Air cadets and volunteers of 543 Squadron in Wingham who spent hours at the barbecue serving hot lunches to the hungry riders and other attendee's and of course a special thanks must go to the Town of Wingham, to the Mayor and members of council, to the Police dept and to the staff of the PUC who really got behind this event and for the use of the impeccable grounds of the airport. I don't believe there could have been a finer venue to stage this event. The members of Legion 180 who at the end of the day provided the chicken wings and to the breweries who provided a good brew to wash them down, it all made for a relaxing spot to sit back and smile after a long and tiring (yet rewarding) day.

The idea began with Wingham Police Chief Tim Poole (an Ex-MP) and his promise that Cpl Matthew Dinning would not be forgotten in the town he loved and had grown up in and from there it grew as the cause was picked up by members of 1 MPPLA and 2 MP unit and Saturday 22nd of August was the first event. So naturally there were a lot of worried faces at 0800hrs when there were only a few motor-cycles in the staging area at ASU London, and you had to wonder how many riders would actually turn out on this grey Saturday morning. Rain clouds had gathered early and for a moment it looked as though it would blow over, but as the minutes ticked by there was little doubt that the weather would cooperate. Yet in spite of the grey and gloomy forecast there were two events that morning that stood out in my mind, one was the arrival of the "Poppy truck" a transport rig with the trailer covered completely in a mural dedicated to the Canadian Armed Forces (Thank you to the owner of this rig, well done) and the second was the sound of a large group of motorcycles coming from the East on Oxford street, their appearance preceeded by the throaty roar of the engines resounding off the buildings on either side, until they suddenly appeared at the inter-section waiting for the lights to change. They were led by a rider whose motorcycle proudly flew a large Support our troops flag and the Maple leaf, it was not only a heart warming and patriotic thing to see, but for me it was a turning point in the day, and I heard one rider standing behind me say "Oh ye of little faith, we've done it. I knew you could count on the guys" He was right, as the ranks now swelled and the registration desk became even busier. His comment was a testament to what had been going through the minds of a lot of us who had turned up earlier in the day.

It should be said that the riders who attended this first time event came from various groups, ex-military (including CAV), fire fighters, police and friends, including the mother of Cpl Matt Dinning who rode on the back of a motorcycle, all the way in the rain just like the hardened riders who had done this many times over the years. Laurie Dinning not only braved the weather, but it was the first time she had ever ridden on a motorcycle.

As the riders left the ASU, led by two of London's finest, it was a very impressive sight and all the concerns about the rain and lack of sun seemed to melt away and it seemed destined that today would be a huge success in spite of everything. The aim of the committee had been to raise $5,000 minimum and at an Ad hoc meeting in a motor home on site, a count of the funds taken to that point, showed we were over that amount after expenses. Donations were still coming in at that time, and they were not included.

In summation

So now we plan for next year, the day chosen for the Ride for Heroes is August 21st, so please mark it on your calendar and hopefully you can plan to attend.

Merchandise;

We still have some official t-shirts (Sand) with the Military Support the troops ribbon and shoulder flash on the front and the Ride for Heroes design to the back. We also have a few of the 1” gold coloured (miniature) Military Police pins, and both embroidered patches for sale. All profits from any merchandize will go to the scholarship fund. These items are $20.00 plus postage for the shirts and $5.00 for the metal pin (very few left) and $5.00 for embroidered patches.

Please send cheque or money order to:
John Hosegrove, President, 1 MP PL Association,
210 Swindale Drive,
Milton, ON,
L9T 0T9
5.00 each - Minimum order is 5 pins.

For further information go to http://1mppla.ca/html/index.php or http://www.sheba-imports.com

Please note. Do not send money to Sheba Imports.
For anyone who wishes to Donate, see below

Anyone unable to participate in the “Ride For Heroes” Day that wishes to donate to the scholarship fund may do so by sending your donation to:

Cpl Matthew Dinning Memorial Scholarship Fund

c/o Chief of Police Tim Poole, Wingham Police Service

274 Josephine Street,

Wingham, ON, N0G 2W0

Anyone making a donation $25.00 and over will have their name attached to a scroll that will hang in the F.E. Madill Secondary School, Wingham, Ontario in honour of the Matthew Dinning Memorial Scholarship.

Profile of a Hero:

Corporal Matthew David James Dinning

Born in Richmond Hill, ON on 15 March 1983, Matthew David James Dinning was raised in the town of Wingham, Ontario, where he was an active participant in many community activities, including seven years spent playing hockey with the Wingham Minor Hockey Association. He attended F.E. Madill Secondary School. With his father a long-serving member of the OPP, Matt early on expressed an interest in service to his country, and specifically as a member of the military. Having completed a Police Foundations Program at Westervelt College in August 2002, Cpl Dinning joined the CF as a Military Policeman in May 2003, completing his Basic Training and finally, his Military Police training in April 2004.

Cpl Dinning’s first posting was to CFB Petawawa in May 2004, where he was employed as a Patrolman. Almost from his first day, he continually requested for an overseas tour, as that was his primary motivation for CF service. As such, he was subsequently posted to 2 MP Platoon on 11 July 2005, where he immediately jumped into tactical MP employment. At the same time, he volunteered for Close Protection training, which was successfully completed in December 2005. He was deployed to Afghanistan in February 2006.

Cpl Dinning was killed in action on 22 April 2006. He is survived by his parents, Lincoln and Laurie Dinning, and his younger brother Brandon, who is presently serving as a Military Policeman, following in his brother’s footsteps.