‘I’ll be there for my little girl’

Maverick’s Last Ride didn’t start exactly as Christian Redman — called Maverick in his Army days — had hoped.

He was scheduled to leave March 4 from his Parker home with fellow veteran Ray Simpson from Colorado Springs, who was pulling his camper and a couple of motorcycles for the Blackhorse caravan to Louisville, Kentucky, and ending in Key West. Redman, 51, an 11th Army Cavalry Regiment veteran, also known as the Blackhorse, is dying of cancer. His fellow Blackhorse troopers and veterans planned this last ride to help him celebrate his daughter’s 18th birthday on March 10 in Louisville and get to Key West, one of his favorite places, one last time.

Friends and veterans have been raising money to help pay for the trip and ongoing medical expenses. Redman became sick and could not leave with Simpson. But he was able to fly to Louisville March 8 and celebrate with his daughter.

“I’m on the plane,” he said in a text. “Thanks to all who have helped make this happen.”

He was scheduled to return to Parker March 11 for medical appointments, but then will fly to Key West on March 15, where he will meet with his daugher and Blackhorse veterans.

“I’m not doing too well, but I’m going, come hell or high water,” he had said earlier. “I will be there for my little girl. I’ll be there for my brothers.”

— Ann Macari Healey