By ALVIN REINER
ELIZABETHTOWN — Benjamin Alan Best is on his third journey through all 48 contiguous states — part of an awareness campaign for his special causes.
The 50-year-old Florida man passed through the North Country recently in his effort to point out the plight of veterans, remember an executed soldier and keep the memories of the victims of 911 alive.
INSPIRED BY PHOTO
It started when a waitress asked him if he wanted a photo of Private First Class Keith Matt Maupin, who was missing in action in Iraq.
"I Googled his name, and I just don't want him forgotten," Best said.
"It's an honest journey, and I really enjoy meeting the people across the country.
"Sometimes I have found out that the truth has offended some Americans. There are youngsters who show disrespect for our country.
"Some of Christian organizations have helped me, as well as people in the bars. I have had ministers tell me to sit down for a while and then go call the police to check me out.
"Generally, the police don't hassle me because I am ex-military. The church people have been very good to me, but not necessarily the churches."
MONTHS ON THE ROAD
It takes Best about 18 months to complete one of his journeys. Though he may travel 30 to 40 miles per day, Best sometimes spends several days in a community, meeting the people as well as finding some work to help support his journey.
"I zig-zag a lot," he said.
While in Atlantic City, Best parked his bike with virtually all of his belongings and identification outside of Caesar's Palace. When he returned, he discovered it missing.
In his diary, Best described the gambling resort town this way: "There were a lot of whacked-out people stranded on the streets and very cold-hearted Christian organizations."
When he asked Caesar's for assistance, he was informed the establishment could not do anything to help him.
The congregation in Grace Lutheran Church in Somers Point, N.J., took up a collection to provide a Trek bike.
warm clothes
While in Elizabethtown, the Rev. Fred Shaw of the United Church of Christ arranged lodging for Best and took him to the ecumenical E'Town Thrift Shop for warm clothing.
Shaw also made arrangements for Best's identification papers to be forwarded.
Here are excerpts from Best's diary during his journey through the North Country:
"I'm in Keeseville. It's an overcast day. I took the ferry across and got into New York yesterday morning.
"Last night, I stopped in Plattsburgh. A small college is there. It's been real difficult getting a church to help me get my hands on my identification. The Catholic priest here (in Plattsburgh) helped me the other day.
"Highway 3 west is just too hilly. I want to enjoy my ride."
HELPING HANDS
After departing Elizabethtown, Best cycled to Speculator: "It was a peaceful ride down highway 30 south. Last night I stopped in a bar and was talking with a man about my journeys. He and his wife took me home for the night. He had a Diamond Back Wildwood 24 speed and traded me for the Trek.
"In Indian Lake I was talking with a lady about my journeys and told her I needed a warm sleeping bag and she gave me a North Face mummy bag.
"I stopped at the United Methodist Church in Speculator and the pastor put me in the Village Motel for the night and gave me 20 dollars.
"In New York the people have been friendly so far."
IN MEMORY
Although he wants to salute veterans, in general, and the people who died in the 9/11 terrorist attacks, one of the primary reasons for Best's travels is to keep alive the memory of Maupin, who was unaccounted for after an April 9, 2004, battle near the Baghdad airport.
A week later, Maupin appeared on a videotape broadcast by AL Jazeera and was considered a prisoner of war.
On June 28, Maupin was reported to have been executed by a bullet to his head.
A memorial was held in Cincinnati on April 27, 2008, in Great American Ball Park, and Maupin was laid to rest at Gate of Heaven Cemetery.
Best plans to be at Gate of Heaven April 26 for this year's memorial.
