Dawn,
First this is a great story! The other papers in the area that reported on this didn't do it justice. I knew Ron and we are all very sad for his family. Ride In Peace Ron.
Thanks Dawn your work on this!

cabodave9@yahoo.com

Thank you David. I wish we did not have to write stories like this. Again, my thoughts are with Ron's friends and family.

Sorry for your loss. He sounds like he was a wonderful person.

I am so sorry for the families loss. He sounds like he was really a great person. Well written story and a nice tribute to someone who so obviously cared about others.

Our prayers go out to his family and friends. The men and women who devote their personal time to educating people about motorcycles, and showing thanks to our military personnel on many levels, are a very special group of giving people.

Rest in peace, Ron. We will continue to pray for your family and be more present in carrying on your legacy.

Dawn,
I also knew Ron and you wrote a great article. I was so proud to be his friend. His patriotism and love for all of his friends is unmatched. He was a great guy and will be missed by everyone who knew him. Love and prayers to his family and friends. Ride in Peace, my friend.

Great story! Lala and Julie I was one of the fortunate people to have been friends with Ron! And to know him is to love him! I don't think you could find anyone that doesn't have something good to say about him! He had a heart of gold and always put everyone before himself! The most selfless person I have ever met! He will be missed by all! R.I.P my friend!!

God bless his family. We will pray for his rider

Sounds like we lost a good man...RIP

A lot of people will miss him,myself included. Ride in Peace Ron.

Would like to add that Ron was also a member of the Patriot Guard Riders.

Ron you will be missed by all who knew you

Prayers and thoughts to the friends and family.

R.I.P..

A Angel on earth is now in heaven.

Ron was one of the finest men I ever knew, selfless, kind, generous and a friend to all. He will be missed by many. RIP dear friend.

Ron didn't care "who" the group was--he was there to support the Hero returning home, those leaving for the sandbox, standing with an American Flag honoring KIA's, honoring our Veterans and more. He was always smiling and will always be remembered as the special person he was.

Donna, Operation Welcome You Home

This is a great article. When I received the alert I prayed that everyone was okay. Yes, this is such a dangerous intersection. I avoid if possible if I cannot I have shortness of breath driving west. Turn down the radio and pray. I have been reading way too many articles about motorcylce accidents this summer. I have many friends that have bikes. I enjoy riding on the back of my friends bike. Many drivers just don't pay attention. We are districtred by the radio. Cell phones. Or we are just in a rush. I pray for this man's family. Why is it that the good ones are always taken. God Bless. Dawn Reyes, Plfd.

I was at the crash site and Ron's only concern was with the other people involved in the crash.I knew him for only a few minutes and could tell he was a one of a kind man...I real hero. Rip Ron.

Ron was my ex-husband, father of my two children Bill and Cheryl, and still my friend. He's the most patriotic person I have ever known, always was and will still where he is riding now. The last 5 years we have been in a better place, friendship wise. I will miss his periodic texts, e-mails, and voice mails. That may surprise many, but it was between him and me. GOD SPEED RON. Give my sister Tina my love.

RIP Ron you will be missed by all.

I think somthn more serious needs to b done as one said drivers dont respect the bikes they feel theyr bigger we should move for them i think and hav been trying to get the idea off the ground to make the penalties like hitting a road worker jail time and large fines i bet people start seeing motorcycles then!! Whos behind me lets get this passed as a law if u can help and want to support this contact me political help will b needed of course. Tony Azzolin 7084468176

Our DEEPEST SYMPATHY and Gratitude for the kindness, patriotism and selflessness of this great man. We stand together and mourn as a nation, a state, a community, a group and alone. To the friends and family, Ron will stay in our thoughts for a lifetime, he will never be forgotten!

My name is Debra and I am a member of the non profit Soldiers' Angels New Jersey chapter. we recently had the honor to meet and work with the NJ chapter of the WWR, who we are now honored to call friends. We mourn with them and all the amazing people Ron had the privelage and honor to touch through his life.
We would also like to honor Ron on our site at www.facebook.com/soldiersangelsnewjersey Ron may not be a Veteran, but he is a Soldier of our great patriotism.
"May No Soldier Go Unloved, May No Soldier Walk Alone, May No Soldier be Forgotten, Until They All Come Home"

I drive this route quite a bit and it is a very dangerous intersection. All the intersections along 126 are dangerous as there are many blind spots. Being a rider myself I do have that fear at times when I see a car come up behind me quickly then stopping for a red light or stop sign. People need to slow down. There have been way to many fatalities due to motorcycles and car accidents. I pray for Ron's family and friends during this sad time. Rest in Peace Ron.

Always hate to see a fellow rider go down. Especially at the hands of others. Didn't know you Ron, but Ride in Peace.
Whenever I ride that stretch of 126, I'm definately on alert for impatient drivers. How many more accidents before some sort of traffic control is initiated there?
To Rachels comment: Wrong time. Wrong place. Really.

...Ron Oswald's wake is Wednesday 2-9 at Fred C Dames on Black & Essington in Joliet.
His funeral is on Thursday at 10am with internment to follow at Woodlawn Cemetery on Jefferson St in Joliet.
There will be a Police, Fire & Motorcycle escort to the cemetery to bring our brother home, the way he deserves to be.
Everyone is welcome to participate. —

I am a Patriot Guard Rider here in NorCal and we ride a lot of missions with WWR. Many of us consider ourselves members of both organizations. It hurts to lose a brother like this. My condolences to the friends and family of this patriot.

Prayers are with the families. Very sorry for your loss. I agree some thing needs to be done on 126 it is very dangerous at several intersections.

I am so sorry for the family. I send out my condolences to them. I pray that they may find comfort in their time of grief.

My deepest sympathy to Ron's family. I only had the chance to ride a couple of times with him on a welcome home or send-off. Anyone who gives their time and energy as he did to so many organizations is amazing. So to his family and friends my prayers and thoughts are with you in this time of sorrow.

My sympathies go out Ron's family. I have family that live in Plainfield and we drive by this area at least once a month (at a minimum). As a member of ABATE, myself, I know that Ron will be missed by the ABATE Organization. They do amazing work educating the citizens of Will County about Motorcycle Awareness. Ron was a good person and will be missed. --- Ryan M. Alm (Candidate for Illinois House of Reps. Dist.86).

I too lost my husband from a motorcycle accident on 126 and Minkler 7 years ago and there isn't a day goes by that he isn't missed. Once again an innocent man who was in the wrong place at the wrong time was the victim of speed and RT 126. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family. Great article, it's nice to hear about all the joy he brought to others.

My youngest daughter was in Drivers Ed at Minnoka High School 5 years ago when ABATE came in to talk to the students. The impact of the stories told by Vi, to this day, have stayed with her. At that time I knew some of the members of ABATE and since then have grown to know more. This orginaziation is not only educating the young, but are some of the most caring souls I have come to know. All though I did not know Ron personally my family and friends did, and the lost will be felt for along time to come. RIP Ron.

Like someone said eariler, WHY IS IT ALWYS THE GOOD ONES?? Ron was indeed a special individual. I have rode with him on many missions with Operation Welcome You Home as well as the WWR and PGR. He was always concerned that the returning soldier, Marine, air men where given a homecoming to remember and if an honor mission that it was conducted with the highest respect. God bless you Ron for all you did and it was an honor to know you. My prayers are with the family.

Respectfully Jim M. a fellow rider

Regarding Rachel's comment- Really?!!