It was a beautiful morning to kick off the XXX Run for the Wall.
3 Routes – 1 Mission
To quote Board of Director President, Les Williams, “This is a mission, not a joy ride. We are here for our brothers & sisters. The rider’s meeting began with the usual, prayer, pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America and The National Anthem.
As the National Anthem began a quiet hush fell over the crowd. Slowly and gently, voices could be heard joining in. The voices swelled in one united chorus. Brought chills to my bones and made me that much prouder to be an American 🇺🇸.
The Flag ceremony was performed by the 2nd Battalion, 23rd Marines. Les dismissed them immediately so they could spend time with their families, as they are being deployed soon. May God Bless them and keep them. 🙏🏻
James Gregory “Gunny” was then presented with the one thing he’s never been awarded, an FNG patch. Hahaha! Les, dismissed the group with these words, “We will meet again in Washington D.C.” Amen! And we were off!
The Southern Route made it to their first stop, 92 miles, a little ahead of schedule. Wookie shared the story of Specialist Elliott Crook, assigned to Company A, 101st Aviation Battalion, 101st Airborne Division: “The Screaming Eagles”
On May 16, 1971 Spc Crook was the crew chief of a UH1H helicopter. Other crew members: Lt. Joseph P. Nolan, pilot; W1 Craig L. Farlow, aircraft commander, and SP4 Timothy J. Jacobsen, door gunner. The helicopter was the 7th to land on the LZ. On departing the LZ, pilots of 5th & 6th helicopters reported taking enemy fire. LT. Nolan reported that he was taking heavy ground fire, that his crew chief was wounded. Lt. Nolan immediately took off and at 250 feet, witnesses saw his aircraft rapidly lose roter RPM and crash into the tree tops, bursting into flames. No survivors were seen to exit the aircraft. The crew is missing in action.
THIS IS WHY WE RIDE!
“Man doesn’t die as long as he is remembered” WE REMEMBER!
We left Coachella ahead of schedule for the 92 mile ride to Blythe. Four miles in, we left California and entered Arizona. We also crossed the Colorado River. The ride was beautiful, saguaro Cacti on either side of the road. The cacti have new growth right now. The tops of the cactus look like they are growing hair. The ride was a little hot, my temperature gauge pegged at 120, but it’s a dry heat 🤪.
Blythe rolled out the red carpet. The Blythe JROTC conducted a beautiful remembrance ceremony.
I ate lunch with an MIA son, Joe Stuart, he is an FNG rider. I have his Father’s biography and will share it another day. We are honored to have Joe riding with us. We love you Joe and are glad you decided to join us.
Pulled out of Blythe, again ahead of schedule. Bee lined it for the Tonopah – Shell Station. Once in Tonapah, we learned there was a problem on the I10 and Arizona State Troopers would be escorting us on the detour. WELL, little did we know it was a 50 MILE DETOUR! Through the Sanora Desert National Monument Park, beautiful detour. The route was supposed to be 68 miles, it ended up being 114 miles. I was beginning to wonder if anyone at the front new where the heck the Chandler Harley Davidson was located.We finally arrived, enjoyed cheeseburgers and mac & cheese, called it a night and went to the host hotel.
I’ll end with today’s quote in the Southern Route itinerary. “My responsibility, our responsibility as lucky Americans, is to try to give back to this country as much as it ha given us, as we continue our American journey together.” GEN Colin Powell.
The heat must have done a number on me, because I have no memory at all of this first leg, after leaving the morning staging area. Therefore, I have a great appreciation for this sitrep.