Update 10 p.m. Wednesday
Police Chief Ricky Watson is rarely seen in uniform. And he won’t be in one Saturday either. Though we all know what an example of physical prowess he is, he tells me he won’t be wearing spandex tights or a colorful jersey when he straddles a bike and leads his Team Brentwood Warrior in the Wounded Warrior Project’s  25-mile 2011 Soldier Ride.

“Obviously, physical fitness is my passion,” he told members of the City Commission at their meeting last week – a statement that raised eyebrows and drew a few laughs. But the cause is no laughing matter to Watson, whose passion for making the lives of the country’s servicemen and veterans better comes only after his passion for keeping Brentwood safe.

Making the fundraising ride even more compelling is the fact that Lance Cpl. Ben Maenza, the young Marine from Brentwood who lost both legs last fall in Afghanistan, who returned to Brentwood last December in a wheelchair will lead the race on a bike. The chief spearheaded the drive last December that retrofitted Ben’s parents’ Inavale home so that he could return from Walter Reed Hospital in Washington, DC. for the holidays.

Watson’s law enforcement team will be joined by at least one Brentwood firefighter, “but he’ll be wearing a police shirt,” said the chief, who never misses a chance to note to rib his fellow public servants.

The ride begins at Battle Ground Academy in Franklin early Saturday morning.  Each rider – who can complete either the 25- or 50-mile route -- must pay a $25 entry fee and make a $150 donation to participate.

 “I do challenge anyone who can to help the cause,” Watson said, either by riding or donating. On Thursday night, the team was just shy of its $3500 goal, with $3220 pledged or collected, according to the Soldier Ride website.  "You can go online with a credit card or drop a check off (at the Municipal Building)."

City Manager Mike Walker is on the record saying, “I will make a donation, Chief, just to see you on a bike.” Me too. I’m in for $50. How about you? 

"If you find the Nashville site you will see teams and individuals and you can find my name or Team Brentwood Warrior," Chief Watson said.  Click here to go directly to the sponsorship page where you can type in the chief's name.

When I asked him on Wednesday about his training, the chief said, "I have been riding a little bit... I do really well going downhill"

Speaking of $50 donations, I am sad to report that I did not win the new Honda Fit  -- or an iPad or $250 – on Sunday.  I was convinced the new car was mine after I bought a raffle ticket for the Church of the Advent fundraiser.

But it was fun thinking about giving up the minivan and tooling around town in a little car. Now that the city is installing electric car chargers, maybe I should consider a Nissan Leaf instead.

Anyone selling a raffle ticket for one? Just let me know. Or if nearby Nissan HQ would like to donate one to be shrinkwrapped with our Brentwood Home Page’s signature B logo on it, just give me a call.

I’m happy to promote environmental  awareness – especially if I don’t have to pay more than $50 to do it!

Susan Leathers is editor of Brentwood Home Page. Click here to read previous columns. Email her at susan@brentwoodhomepage.com