Bike MS 2026 – Awareness

When September began, I hoped to make 2026’s Bike MS memorable. I branded it the capstone of my year-long efforts to showcase awareness of our fight against the debilitating effects of multiple sclerosis. I wanted to promote awareness for Suicide Prevention Month, bringing attention to a battle that touches so many parts of my life. Instead, epic events challenged my body, emotions, and resolve every day. The results were extraordinary.

On September 30, I celebrated my 22nd ride of the month. After breaking my foot three days in, the injury only strengthened my commitment to Never Stop… Never Quit…, for them.

Awareness is more than just a key element in the fights against MS and suicide. Awareness is THE factor that will drive the next big movements and spark action as we continue to recruit support for our goals. It has been my sole focus for the past 11 months. I’ll take this time to ask for your support and donations before channeling all my energy back into awareness.

Please donate to support our fight.

Direct to our Bike MS campaign: I https://mssociety.donordrive.com/participant/Rogue

Other ways to donate (100% of the money goes to our mission. I personally pay all administrative costs): https://NeverStopNeverQuit.com/Donate

I need your incredible support again this year to fuel those movements and actions. I can’t do this without you, and I guarantee I will spend every day maximizing the impact of your generosity.

How I Got Here

Three blog posts in September of ’25 tracked the second annual century ride from my garage. Garage Dayz was born! “The Aftermath” described my emotions during the buildup, the 100-mile ride, and the soreness the next day. Visiting my friends to celebrate in McMinnville for Bike MS was the highlight of “A Watershed Year.” On September 30, 2025, I decided to do Garage Dayz “One… More… Time…” in October.

I never stopped those rides, but it took until February for me to admit Garage Dayz was a permanent fixture.

Every month, I ticked off another century in my garage. Every day, I documented my successes and challenges, trying to show my audience what life was like fighting this disease. Raising awareness was my only objective. Silly videos and AI-created music became a staple of my social media feed. All that I want to do is show the world about multiple sclerosis. My worsening MS condition highlights otherwise-normal activities. Everything is difficult, but that’s the point of my social media posts. Simple enough, huh?

• This is how challenging MS makes everything in my life.
• This is what I need to do to accomplish the simplest tasks.
• This is what I do to move forward, improve my strength and coordination, and live another day.
• This is what everyone fighting this disease faces, in their own unique series of challenges.

Showing the world THIS was my focus on awareness. I’m willing to share any part of my life that helps my viewers understand. I want everyone to see what MS is doing to me, to us. Those same efforts demonstrate to my MS and veteran communities that they are not alone; there are ways through this collective hell.

In August, friends joined me in a grand celebration of my 12th month of Garage Dayz—a full year of riding, 1200 miles under my belt. I took that beautiful moment to pause, celebrate, and reflect on what I had accomplished.

I Looked Toward September

National Suicide Prevention Month has a special meaning to me:

• Military veterans have a suicide rate 50% higher than the civilian population.
• Individuals fighting multiple sclerosis are twice as likely to die by suicide.
• Children of suicide victims are 3x more likely to kill themselves.
• I am an Army veteran, medically retired because of my multiple sclerosis, who discovered his father’s body after a .38 caliber pistol ended his life.
• The number 22 is a symbolic representation of veteran suicide rates and a rallying cry in advocacy for suicide prevention. “22-a-day is 22 too many!”

My objective was clear. September 10 (World Suicide Prevention Day) was to be my 13th consecutive century ride before joining my MS family in McMinnville on the 26th, with my recumbent trike and trainer to ride 22 miles.

Neither of those things happened. Instead, I broke my foot on September 3. A displaced fracture of my left foot’s fifth metatarsal (the long bone going up the pinky toe side), plus a hairline fracture on the fourth. Surgery required for that fracture would be more than my MS-riddled body could endure. The fifth metatarsal will go the way of my right supraspinatus tendon, slowly fading away until it absorbs back into my body.

Never Stop…

What can I do with a fractured foot that will never heal, injured during the month I committed 122 miles to support the fights against multiple sclerosis and suicide? The orthopedic surgeon did not specifically clear me to ride my recumbent trike. After a heartfelt conversation, she did not specifically restrict me from riding 22 miles at this year’s Bike MS.

Our conversation was on September 9. I had two rides logged

Garage Dayz became a 22-mile grind; my Bike MS ride in McMinnville stretched beyond 62 miles (a 100 km metric century). Between September 10 and September 30, I rode 20 times for a combined distance of 616 miles. In September, I completed 22 rides for 656 miles. And, yes, at the end of my ride on September 30, I celebrated my 20,000th day alive. The entire month was an awareness of my fight to live, to thrive. You can’t make this stuff up!

Never Quit…

It’s going to take some time for me to sort out the details of how I can make next year bigger and better, making 2027 a breakout year for branding and awareness. I will try to accomplish this with less damage to my body. The Board of Directors of NEVER STOP NEVER QUIT and I will drive the next big movements and spark action as we continue to support our mission.

The mission of NEVER STOP NEVER QUIT is to raise funds, support treatment, and promote awareness in the fight against multiple sclerosis.

Because it is a fight. The fight is not over, and it won’t be over until a cure is found.

It will never stop… nor will we

It will never quit… nor will we

This is why we fight!

Never Stop… Never Quit…, for them

Thank you for your love and support!

Kevin

If I Die…

If I die on December 28, 2099, I will be 128 years old. There is never enough arrogance to assume my life will span a third century. Today, such an age is beyond our comprehension. When we prepare to step into the 22nd century, that number will be commonplace, though slightly below the expected lifespan for humans who choose to accept genetic integration with nanoscale robotics. My wife will always joke about how I was practically first in line for the DNA origami phase 2 clinical trial, one of two emerging treatments for neurological disorders at the time. The other will be abruptly canceled after six reported deaths mere days before my first scheduled treatment. I remain committed, however; I have no other choice.

Hours before my death, cameras record a final interview. The documentary, For Them, He Never Stopped… Never Quit…, airs less than two months later. Completed almost four years prior, I refuse multiple requests to release the film.

“People are dying to hear the story, KB,” the director says time and again.

“It’s not my whole story. Not yet.”

Eventually, they stopped pressing the issue. What happens during the final week validates my stubborn refusal. Millie takes two Oscars home.

***

If I die on December 28, 2071, the irony of any final symmetry in my life will be fodder for comedic stories throughout my memorial celebration. “He did not want any tribute” is the exact reason my friends and family gather; that, and to joke how now they can get a word in edgewise. A printout of my “Do Hard Things” list will sit beside my urn of ashes, triggers to fuel high-spirited stories throughout the night:

• Complete 50 Garage Dayz Rides: my friends find my rhetoric most entertaining, the way I constantly referred to it as “At Least 50 Garage Dayz,” doubling up my ride on more than a few months.
• Walk Across The US: although I’ve planned the event for over three years, everyone still calls it my “Forrest Gump moment,” when, one morning of my vacation, I wake up and just start walking the Lincoln Highway Corridor.
• The Last Child: I refuse recognition, deferring accolades to my co-author, when the subplot of my first bestseller becomes the unofficial designation of NASA’s Panspermia Program.

***

If I die on May 21, 2042, I will have lived 25,712 days. Stephen Byrne, my grandfather, died one day shy of that age, on October 25, 1972. Always fixated on numbers and dates, I have embraced that target ever since my brother, Tom, passed away in 2021. Rolling the clock further back to 1988, my dad’s suicide at 43 years and 79 days will leave an exposed nerve that only partially healed when I turned 43 and 80. I remain in fear until February 7, 2027. Countless “random” dates and numbers, connected only in my mind, will continue to haunt me for my entire life. If I approach 29,969 (Stephen, Sr.), all I envision will be 30k, continuing my pursuit of milestones.

***

If I died on October 26, 1999, none of this would ever have the opportunity to take shape. My suicide would have been a momentary moment of sorrow for most people who knew me, devastating to a small handful. The section of H-1 on Oahu, where I considered careening my car over the ledge, would have a beautiful Yellow Hibiscus display placed at the curve. The yellow blossoms would wither and brown in a day; Never Stop… Never Quit… would never exist, nor would anyone be there to mandate the addition of “for them.”

Join the Conversation
Suicide Prevention Month reminds us that talking about suicide isn’t harmful — silence is. One honest conversation can be a turning point in someone’s life.

https://www.nami.org/stay-connected/events/awareness-events/suicide-prevention-month/

Because it is a fight.

The fight is not over and it won’t be over until a cure is found.

It will never stop…nor will we

It will never quit…nor will we

This is why we fight for them!

 

Never Stop… Never Quit…®

Follow, Shop, or Donate Today: https://NeverStopNeverQuit.com

 

Veterans, Multiple Sclerosis, and Suicide

Research a hundred different sources—slight variations in the statistics do nothing to soften the horror behind the numbers. Veterans face a suicide rate 50% higher than the general population. Among people fighting the debilitating effects of multiple sclerosis, the suicide rate is nearly twice that of those without MS. Children who have had a parent committed suicide by three times more likely to kill themselves.

I raised my right hand and joined the Army in 1989; my multiple sclerosis diagnosis in 1999 forced an early medical retirement; in 1988, I stood over my father’s body and discover the truth behind a word that would haunt me for the rest of my life: SUICIDE. I have fought that battle myself. The fear never fades and the risk will always follow me. Since the morning I turned 43 years and 80 days old, however, the horrific words, “You are going to kill yourself someday,” have become just a haunting reminder that suicide is still out there…

On September 26, I will honor those brave souls fighting to hold onto their lives, their family and friends, and pray for those who lost that final battle. I will do that, and more, with a smile on my face and my music blaring as I ride in the National MS Society Oregon Chapter’s 2026 Bike MS.

My last outdoor Bike MS was in 2023, when Rogue and I traveled the McMinnville route together. In 2024, I rode 100 miles in my garage on October 6, 25 years to the day I first read the words “possible multiple sclerosis.” In September of ’25, I completed the century option in my garage one more time; every month since, I have done that ride “one more time…” Read the full story on my Garage Dayz here.

I will still do my Garage Dayz 100-miler, this time on September 10. 16 days later, I will bring my stationary trike and trainer out to McMinnville so I can ride “Day 2” with my MS family.

September is Suicide Awareness Month, so that will be my focus. I will ride 22 miles on my trainer to reinforce the commitment to overcome the loneliness, isolation, fear, and shame behind suicidal battles. I want my efforts to demonstrate our support and love for those in need, and for those left behind if the fight is lost.

I am branding my ride with commemorative swag to reinforce the message: 22 Miles, Countless Lives.

Amazon Merch on Demand

NeverStopNeverQuit Etsy Store

Every dollar raised will go to a program earmarked for the unique community of veterans living with multiple sclerosis. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) estimates that 70,000 veterans live with MS in the United States. Veterans commit to support and defend the nation from which we sprang. Our small sample size highlights a greater need. As a retired Army officer fighting MS, my love and dedication will never waver. I will stand beside anyone in need. I will support them and fight for them.

I will Never Stop… Never Quit…, for them.

Kevin

The fight is not over and it won’t be over until a cure is found.
It will never stop…nor will we
It will never quit…nor will we
Never Stop... Never Quit...® 
NeverStopNeverQuit.com

Promoting Awareness

The mission of NEVER STOP NEVER QUIT is to raise funds, support treatment, and promote awareness in the fight against multiple sclerosis.

For about 2 months each year, I focus my sights on fundraising. It is a necessary tenet for the next part of my mission: supporting treatment, both disease-modifying and rehabilitative therapies. Treatments will save lives; money is needed to develop and enhance treatments. Both remain essential, but they are no longer forces that pull me from my bed and drive every action I take. Promoting awareness is my strategic communication volley, designed to shift behaviors, educate the public, and inspire action.

This past September, I began flooding my social media with clips and pictures documenting my life battling the debilitating effects of multiple sclerosis. I scold myself with words like Boring, Irrelevant, Embarrassing, and Repetitive, as I question the need to share every dirty little secret. In the past, others used those same words to challenge my need to post such details. “You don’t need to share all your issues,” they’d say. “Some things should remain private.”

Those Dirty Little Secrets Are Shifting Behaviors

The thought that airing my dirty multiple sclerosis laundry would be embarrassing or unpleasant is exactly why I need to continue. The disease inflicts its barrage of symptoms upon each person in a unique way, but most individual symptoms are common across the entire MS community.

When I talk in graphic detail about some of my bladder problems, a few viewers get it. There is an instant connection. My words soften the loneliness and isolation of MS by changing “no one understands…” to “yeah, I’m right there with you….” I received a direct message a week after one of my posts: “I got an orange urine bottle just like yours. It is a lifesaver!” That one made me smile. I’m okay with public embarrassment to reach those few.

Stories of times I fell into despair span my years of sharing. When my life centered on three things (work, alcohol, and fighting suicidal ideation), I was often alone. I didn’t know how to search for others fighting the same challenges and trying to find peace. Things should be different… If my posts make it through to your social media feed, you don’t need to find that needle in a haystack: someone who was/is going through similar challenges. I will share my flaws, my scars, not because I am proud of them. I do not think it is normal, but I know it is common. Like an alcoholic who has remained sober for 4094 days, my story is one of hope for a man who will never find his cure, but who will make every day matter!

Like the disease itself, my disclosures are a shotgun blast of sporadic prompts. I post messages about my bowel and bladder issues. Pictures I share include horrific cuts and scalding burns from accidents around the household. My disfigured body becomes the embodiment of “these are the debilitating effects of multiple sclerosis.” No person should feel isolated or ashamed because of their unique issues. My messages reinforce that sentiment.

Personal Disclosure Educates the Public

To the viewers outside of our MS community, I will not attempt to ease your comfort level regarding the disease. In absolutely no way is multiple sclerosis normal. It is an uncaring, draining shit show that never yields on its threats to destroy the lives of those inflicted and everyone around them. I am not trying to normalize MS but rather humanize those fighting the disease.

Here’s a recent example. Rather than focusing on the scientific aspects of disease progression and treatments (I leave that to the experts), I shared the elation of my “Easy Day” when I got to sit in the hospital for six hours with a needle in my arm. It was easy because I did not have another anaphylactic reaction or develop a staph infection again. I was not hospitalized for meningitis, suffered severe intestinal distress, or planned to spend the next three days bouncing off the walls, coming down from Solu-Medrol. I returned to my normal day of living, living as a regular person who suffers from a debilitating disease.

I don’t look for pity, but I will never pretend that nothing is wrong. When you look at my videos, when you check out my pictures on my blog posts, please remember that the nightmares of my experiences are not normal. They are the horrific result of my disease. They do not define me as a human, father, son, brother, family member, friend, loved one, author, nonprofit activist, or random blogger of offbeat videos and pictures. My actions drive those claims.

Inspiration: The Goal That Brings Us Back to the Start

My first reaction was to strip away the selfish reasons for sharing my stories. In retrospect, I realized how the therapeutic value I receive by unleashing my burdens is a textbook example of Supporting Treatment. Benefits from my self-care are an equal part of my media journey. A good day at the gym leads to a motivational video post or cartoon meme. Gratitude, thanks, and celebrations are common themes in my fight against the debilitating effects of multiple sclerosis. Every post I share about my monthly Garage Dayz 100-mile ride is a thin layer of pain and struggle, overshadowed by motivation, endurance, and celebration. Inspiration through example.

Mental and emotional therapies are essential components of the treatments needed to fight MS. Inspiring posts about my own successes have the chance to help others in their search for stability. I vow to make myself available to aid and assist; others often take me up on that offer. I will always be there for your fight.

As a PoNS Device® ambassador, I documented my treatment journey. Insurance would not cover the treatment, nor did the Department of Veterans Affairs authorize it, so I paid out of my own pocket. Gains from my use of the device, in coordination with intensive rehabilitation, became evident throughout the 14-week protocol. Promoting awareness of my success helped advance this therapy. Video journals and my testimonial are now part of Bioness Medical marketing (Witness Captain Byrne’s Progress Before and After PoNS Therapy). Approval of device access for veterans is an accomplishment I am proud to have helped secure.

Physical Therapies – Disease Modifying Therapies – Mental and Emotional Therapies

My messages support treatments, as well as the need for an individual’s cautious, well-informed approach. Benefits, side effects, and the all-too-familiar “It did nothing for me” are stressed throughout my incessant sharing.

Necesse est facere sumptum, qui quaerit lucrum (Wikiquote)

I love my high school Latin!

Written around 210 BC, by the Roman playwright Titus Maccius Plautus, the general translation is “It takes money to make money.”

Let me expand on that…

It takes money to support treatment. It takes money to develop and advance new treatments.

Promoting awareness provides education and inspiration that help shift behaviors and support treatment. I live in that sentiment every day of my life. Sometime around the end of September, I will launch my 2026 campaign to raise money in support of our fight. The funny part is that it is often the most visible part of my direct interaction with our supporters. My videos are nothing more than me screaming into an iPhone; my words and images constructed in solitude. The void of social media is my confidant. My darkest years, greatest embarrassments, and biggest achievements are sent to everyone, yet no one in particular. I tried to make my fundraising messages personal, emphasizing the connection I share with each individual.

Since 2003, my efforts to promote awareness by shifting behaviors, educating the public, and inspiring action have helped raise $902,044.82.

Until late September comes, my blogs, quips, videos, and means are the reminder that I will never stop and I will never quit.

Because it is a fight.

The fight is not over and it won’t be over until a cure is found.

It will never stop…nor will we

It will never quit…nor will we

This is why we fight for them!

 

Never Stop… Never Quit…^®

Follow, Shop, or Donate Today: https://NeverStopNeverQuit.com

 

Garage Dayz is a Permanent Fixture

Please donate to support our fight.

Direct to our Bike MS campaign: https://mssociety.donordrive.com/participant/Rogue

Other ways to donate (100% of the money goes to our Bike MS campaign. I pay all administrative costs): https://NeverStopNeverQuit.com/Donate

At the time, it seemed like a special event. A bonus ride piled on top of the annual bike MS excitement. 100 miles, one… more… time….

Slipping into my seat well before the sun’s first rays on February 17 will mark my six consecutive Garage Dayz century option. I can think of a better reason why I will ride every month in my justification for that first “one more time.” 

These are words I shared on September 30; they still stand true.

Never Stop… Never Quit…, for them

Renowned neurologist Rock Heyman practices out of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center’s Multiple Sclerosis Care Center. In the Appalachian region, he has been the gold standard for over 30 years. I met with him in early 2001, in search of a confirmation or second opinion of my MS diagnosis. The US Army and the VA Healthcare System were my only points of reference. Expressing satisfaction with my diagnosis and treatment, he confirmed everything in my record from the prior 18 months. I left his office with one word of wisdom. He cautioned me to stay with the VA, as its continuity of care and tracking of my progression will be valuable when my MS gets worse. Without giving it much thought, except to “stay put,” I took his advice, enjoying the continuity of healthcare across four states.

Then my MS got worse… The full scope of Dr. Heyman’s consult struck me a few days ago.

Compared to last year, my symptoms have progressed, much as they have if I look back 2/5/10 years. The primary issues are weakness and debilitation throughout my left side. I fight its progression with medication, rehabilitation, diet, and exercise, having documented significant improvements in some areas. But, multiple sclerosis is an incessant ice pick. It will never stop. It will never quit. Two or three setbacks stack up against every improvement.

My dedication to fighting against the debilitating effects of multiple sclerosis only strengthens every time my body weakens. For them is my focus, even if that mission is circular.

This realization does not change my plan; it only strengthens my resolve. My September 15 report, The Aftermath of Bike MS, detailed why I overdo it:

“The longer answer is because it’s one of the things I can still do. I can’t run. I can’t jump. I can’t ride a bicycle. I can’t even ride my recumbent trike out on the street. I used to be left-handed, but it really doesn’t work anymore. I can’t snap my fingers. I can clap. I can’t lift my arm over my head. I can’t button my shirt. I can’t hold a piece of food and cut it with a knife. I can’t lift a glass of water to my lips. I don’t have enough control and coordination to consider myself right-handed, but I switched a handful of those skills to the other side. If it requires two hands, I probably can’t do it. What I can do, I embrace with as much grit as possible. I plop my body down in the safety of my garage and pedal at a hard, constant pace until the measuring stick says I can stop. I sit at my computer and share my story into a microphone that transcribes the words for me. The next infection I battle could make everything worse. The next fall, accident, or other injury might raise my debilitation to a whole new level. If I don’t face that challenge, secondary progressive multiple sclerosis will continue to chip away at my form and function. When I can no longer do those things, I will figure out another way to do those things. That’s the first reason I ride. For me.”

Like I said, for them is my focus, even though the mission is circular. I’m them.

My body is beat up and will worsen. I’m okay with that since it turned me into a damn walking (for the moment), talking, writing, riding billboard who can highlight the need for us to find ways to defeat MS before more of them suffer. Instead of asking for donations to support our cause, I’m going to ask for your donations while giving people a reason to say, “Look at what this guy is doing before he can do it anymore.”

My next Bike MS 100-mile Garage Dayz ride will be Tuesday, February 17. I’m already planning the date and logo for March. I’m going to do too much again for three reasons. First, there’s a good chance I won’t be able to do that same “too much” next year. The second reason is for all my friends who have already reached the point where they can’t ride. Finally, I’m going to take every opportunity I can to put my misshapen, disabled form out there with the message “Please donate to my fundraising before another generation is forced to make our fight their fight!”

This is why I ride.

Thank you for the motivation and support.

With love,

Kevin

This will make a nice tapestry when complete!

Because it is a fight.

The fight is not over and it won’t be over until a cure is found.

It will never stop…nor will we

It will never quit…nor will we

This is why we fight for them!

 

Never Stop… Never Quit…^®

Follow, Shop, or Donate Today: https://NeverStopNeverQuit.com

Perfection

On January 9, 2026, I became the echo of stories shared by warriors past. Using words given to me to describe undaunting determination in the face of unrelenting oppression, I challenged the West Point Class of 2027 to Never Stop… Never Quit….

Tradition.

The word is often associated with habits or rituals we accept for no other reason than “That’s the way it was done in the past. It’s tradition.” At West Point, the mind-boggling myriads of traditions we embrace are steeped in legend of past glories, lore of treasured rituals admired as part of our lineage, or newly discovered ways to strengthen our connection with graduates from past, present, and in the future (traditionally referred to as The Corps, and The Corps, and The Corps). This article could explore countless academic, military, and athletic traditions unique to or originated at the United States Military Academy. Stories of the march back, pinging along the inside wall, or spirit missions during my plebe year resonate with every Old Grad. Tales of spinning Sedgwick’s Spurs and Sosh Runs are academic milestones. Every tradition builds up to the final day, and that opportunity to throw your hat in the air when we hear, “Class Dismissed!” I could go on, but I would rather narrow my conversation.

In 1835, West Point began a storied tradition. 56 graduates marked their time at the Academy with a ring. Today, class rings are recognized across institutions and universities everywhere. They symbolize the connection between an individual and their alma mater while serving as a unique identifier for their graduating class. I still have my high school ring. In August 1992, I received my West Point ring: 14 karat gold with a diamond solitaire set in a black onyx. On one side, the West Point crest. On the other, my class crest. As the tradition goes, you wear your class closest to your heart (the inside side of your finger). When you graduate, you turn the Academy inward. I treasured my ring and the history it held.

On January 9, I bade farewell to my ring and tossed it into a stone cauldron, where it melted and mixed with 26 other rings into a solid gold bar.

Jamie and I flew from Portland to West Point to take part in the Class of 2027 Ring Melt Ceremony. It took three days to write this report, chasing words while trying to find the best way to describe the weekend at West Point. Over my 37-year connection, I have witnessed thousands of fantastic events; hundreds of storied occasions; a handful of memorable moments; and three perfect experiences.

Graduation stands atop that list. I’ve described my struggle with broken memories, but I have picture proof of smiles. The single instance I do hold is the weight of four years peeling away as I sat in the passenger seat while Vinny drove through Thayer Gate. According to the official register, I became graduate number 49,966.

Second, that Saturday afternoon in May 1993. The moment is etched in my mind, how I watched Brigadier General Robert Foley speak to a group of tourists. I shared this story in 2014: “Prologue.”

“They would never stop. They would never quit.” 

He repeated the phrase over and over as he shared examples of tactical, mental, and physical challenges many young graduates faced while leading soldiers in combat.

Needless to say, it was quite stirring.

General Foley gave me permission to tell that story. His words became my calling, then my mantra, Never Stop… Never Quit…. Those words became my mission, and now my nonprofit organization NEVER STOP NEVER QUIT. The idea started under the heat of military conflict before being forever tied to my battle against the debilitating effects of multiple sclerosis.

The third perfect experience was this past weekend. Every step of our mad dash, from our Thursday night redeye flight out of Portland, Oregon, through the 12:30 PM ceremony start, moved with tailwinds of fortune and favor. United Airlines Flight 1802 (the year West Point was founded) arrived at Newark Airport 30 minutes early. Airplane door to rental car was under 40 minutes. Traffic seemed to part every time we approached anything that could slow our pace. We were checked into the Thayer Hotel even before arrival, giving us a full hour to change and prep before the shuttle drove us to the ceremony doorstep. My escort for the event was a family friend from out here in Portland. Second Class Cadet Ryan Anthony had everything prepared well before we arrived. He guided me to where I should sit, reviewed when we would get up and go on stage, and explained what to do when I was there. All I needed to do was enjoy the experience.

The tradition of West Point’s Ring Melt Ceremony is not from a bygone era; it dates to 2000. The concept is beautifully simple. Graduate rings are donated, sometimes by the individual but most often by family members or other significant connections. Most donations are from deceased graduates. The rings, stripped of any stones or ornamentation, are collected in a stone cauldron. They are melted and poured to form a gold bar. Polished and presented to a class, the bar blends with the gold used to make their rings. Every cadet in the Class of 2027 will have a ring made from gold that includes mine and the 26 other rings donated. In addition to those rings, the gold bar includes flakes scraped from the previous Ring Melt Ceremony. In total, elements of 1,035 West Point class rings, dating back to 1896, are part of the Legacy Gold now included in the bar formed on Friday afternoon. I am forever graduate number 1,033 in that creation. Read more about the ceremony and the ring donors here.

Ryan gave me a subtle nudge when it was time for me to present my ring. He guided me toward the right side of the stage and held my arm as I struggled to climb six stairs. When the cadet speaker called my name, I moved to the center of the stage. Our rings were laid out on a table. Ryan prepared me for where my placard would be. I grabbed the stripped-down ring and placed it in the small stone cauldron as Ryan stood behind and presented a sharp salute. I lumbered to the podium and spoke.

“When I was a firstie, Brigadier General Robert Foley, Class of 63, shared words of inspiration and perseverance endured by thousands of West Point graduates before him. Those words became my mantra and became my mission. Now, today, I’m glad to send those words back to the Class of 2027: Never Stop… Never Quit…!”

Watch the video here.

As Ryan and another person helped me down the steps on the opposite side of the stage, I knew I was living my third perfect West Point experience. Applause and adulation, a few handshakes, then a kiss from Jamie planted that moment in my heart. Dinner with three of my classmates and our loved ones continued the day’s ecstasy. Other stuff happened—I think I had a cupcake at the event—but those parts are already fading.

Even if my damaged brain forgets the details, even when my specific recollection boils down to the video my dear friend captured, one word will always stand true.

Perfect.

Because it is a fight.

The fight is not over and it won’t be over until a cure is found.

It will never stop…nor will we

It will never quit…nor will we

This is why we fight for them!

 

Never Stop… Never Quit…®

Follow, Shop, or Donate Today: https://NeverStopNeverQuit.com

Figure 1: WPAOG. “West Point Class of 2027 Class Ring Memorial Program.” YouTube video, 1:33:29. Published January 12, 2026. www.youtube.com/live/d_CXgMu8j3k.

Figure 2: Conti, Justin. “2026 Ring Melt - Justin Conti-69.” Flickr. Published January 12, 2026. www.flickr.com/photos/wpaog/55031593662/in/album-72177720331352095.

Figure 3: Norton, Erica. “2026 Ring Melt-126.” Flickr. Published January 12, 2026. www.flickr.com/photos/wpaog/55032536301/in/album-72177720331352095/.

Figure 4: Personal Image. My ring.

Figure 5: Personal Image. West Point Ring Weekend with my mom, August 29, 1992.

Figure 6: Personal Image. West Point Ring Melt Weekend with Jamie, January 9, 2026.

 

NEVER STOP NEVER QUIT Fact Sheet (PDF format)

 

Do you want to know more about our fight against the debilitating effects of multiple sclerosis? Here’s the sheet I share with sponsors and partner organizations.

As we approach the end of the year, if you know of individuals or companies interested in making charitable contributions, please share our message. We can’t do this without your help in this fight.

Because it is a fight. The fight is not over and it won’t be over until a cure is found.

It will never stop, nor will we.

It will never quit, nor will we.

This is why we fight for them!

Never Stop… Never Quit…®

https://neverstopneverquit.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/NEVER-STOP-NEVER-QUIT-Fact-Sheet.pdf