CONTINGENCY OPERATING SITE HUNTER, Iraq – A Soldier’s unknown talent came to light as a crowd cheered on bicycle motocross and skateboard professionals during a recent stop of the “Bikes Over Baghdad” tour Sep. 13.
It all started with a cursory glance. “Hey … isn’t that Evil?” said Zach “Catfish” Yankush, referring to Pfc. Dan “Evil” Hylton, a cannon crew member from Davenport, Iowa, assigned to Battery B, 2nd Battalion, 29th Field Artillery Regiment. Hylton, a seasoned BMX rider, saw the group in passing as they toured the base meeting Soldiers, handing out souvenirs and signing autographs before an impromptu show. The reunion came as much of a surprise to everyone, as did the unexpected performance.
“I never thought I’d see them here in Iraq; it was a complete surprise,” said Hylton.
Collectively, the group knew each other from traveling across the U.S. to compete in various BMX competitions ranging from the X-Games to the Gravity Games. When asked about the experience of riding in front of his Army peers and co-workers, Hylton replied, “When I’m on a bike I always tune everything out. It was just like old times.”
Only a small number of Hylton’s friends on the base knew of his abilities, but even they were astounded at the skills he demonstrated that night.
Mary Burghardt, the Morale, Welfare and Recreation community recreation officer touring with the group said it was important to remember the Soldiers stationed at the smaller, remote bases such as COS Hunter.
“Originally, the intent was to only meet and greet Soldiers,” said Burghardt, “but when we asked for wood to build a ramp and (2nd Squadron, 13th Cavalry Regiment) supplied it, we felt as though it was simply too good of an opportunity to pass up.”
Yankush, both the announcer for the tour as well as a BMX rider for the group, brought the show to life with a theme of firsts.
“I never thought I’d see my bike on the back of a Black Hawk, put on a show with ramps built in less than an hour or meet up and ride with a buddy I knew back from home,” said Yankush. “This is definitely the first time a humvee has ever been involved in any sort of activity like this.”
The introduction soon led to an hour-long performance as the riders, including Hylton, brought the crowd to its feet as they performed airborne stunts over the hood of a humvee using the newly-built ramps.
The show brought back many memories for riders within the squadron, especially Cpl. Daryl Cody, signal support systems specialist from Virginia Beach, Va., assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Sqdn., 13th Cav. Regt.
“I grew up watching BMX racing as a kid, but I never thought I’d see a show in Iraq or see one of our own doing the same stunts,” said Cody.
Soldiers were refreshed and excited to see these bike-riding patriots come out to their remote base to show their support of the military. The riders were likewise appreciative of the selfless service and sacrifice of the Soldiers for whom they performed.
“We’re bringin’ a little bit of the USA right here to Hunter,” said Yankush. “The first most important thing is a big huge thank you from everybody back in the United States. You guys never get enough credit and it is an absolute privilege and an honor to take your minds off where you’re at for a little while.”
The final surprise of the night came as Hylton was presented with a new bicycle by his “Bikes Over Baghdad” friends.
“I would love to ride the bike on these ramps,” said Hylton, “but we’ll see what happens.”
The riders spent the final minutes following the performance signing autographs before departing and saying goodbye to friends, both old and new. Befitting the visit, the performers loaded their bicycles for the first time ever on the back of a Chinook helicopter, lifted into night and made their way to their next stop where they will continue to reconnect Soldiers to life outside Iraq.
