Author: Billie “Bugs” Dunlap

Greetings from Weatherford, Texas!

Halfway to May

Passing through November means we are halfway to May and the months are flying by.  The cool temperatures in North Texas tell me that the season change is here and that it’s time to winterize the bike.  Of course, for my riding family you all know that just means I’m adjusting the vents on the lower fairing.  My RFTW Family is made up of the hardest charging, the most capable and the most experienced riders I’ve ever known.  If you’re not humbled to saddle up with this bunch, then you just don’t know them.  I’ve been riding almost 44 years and I can tell you that I certainly am!  

Let Freedom Ring!

At the last Board of Directors meeting, all four RC’s presented their Alternate Route plans to make preparations for contingency operations should we have to modify our routes due to local or state restrictions.  All these plans point to one essential and immovable goal that we all have for next May – there will be a Run!  One of our strongest obstacles to executing on the original plan was somewhat assuaged earlier this month by the people of Virginia.  While there is no guarantee that future conditions will support our passage, I am personally comforted to know that we are now several steps closer to reaching a Mission Start from Arlington on 29 MAY as originally planned. 

RFTW FNG Town Hall on Zoom

Bob “Captain America” Nelson, the Southern Route Coordinator is hosting an All-Routes Town Hall Zoom Meeting to provide an introduction to Run For The Wall and answer FNG questions.  It should be a great discussion.  Find more info in Bob’s RC Newsletter at here.

Leadership Team Highlight

With this newsletter, I’d like to highlight a rider who has been working with me, supporting our Mission and our Run since I was selected as Southern Route RC in June 2018.  He is a former (no such thing as former) Marine who rides out of Arizona.  Most days you would have to look on the road to find him as he is out on a charity ride, or a long road trip to support someone in need.  Last May he helped plan and lead a cross country patriotic monuments and memorials tour that was a phenomenal success.  On the SandBox Route Leadership Team, he is never more than a text away from helping us prepare and organize any administrative or operational aspect of our Route planning.  He provides an essential service to our monthly meetings in scheduling and announcing them to the group, often making sure I stay on track for dates and times and then records the discussions and proceedings to ensure we all stay accountable for commitments and expectations.  He does all this while seeking no reward or recognition, only seeking to serve the Mission to which his dedication is strong and unwavering.  So, I’d like to offer and encourage all to give a big RFTW Family THANK YOU to our SandBox Route Admin Support Lead and my BFAM, Mike “Bonehead” Kyzer!  Thank you, Mike!

Following is a reprinted excerpt from my still relevant 31JAN2020 RC Newsletter…

Are You Ready?

I sincerely doubt any of us would answer “No” to that question, but let’s break it down to the basic issues that we all need to consider before getting on the road in May…

• Mechanical Condition – Be sure your bike is in good condition for a 1000 (or more) mile ride.  Although our Route is planned at just over 800 miles, those of us who ride one of the legacy routes from Ontario may have put as much as 6000 miles on the bike before we even leave DC.  Tires, oil change, and scheduled servicing may be available somewhere along the way but doing it during our short 3 days of the Run will take away valuable time you would otherwise have available for the Mission.
• Physical Condition – The Run always includes long, hot, cold, dry, wet, misty, tiring, enjoyable days on the road.  Be sure that your mortal engine is ready for the long haul as well.  Some simple daily activity, exercise or walks will pay off well in keeping you awake, alert and safe on the road.  Our Hydration Support crew works very hard to ensure there will ALWAYS be water available for you to pick up between segments of the Route.  Some people start hydrating early so they get used to holding more water – your choice, but regardless of conditions, be prepared to drink a lot of water along the way! 
• Mental Condition – I’ve written a lot in the past about PMA – Positive Mental Attitude.  Keeping that in mind, we all bring our own ideas and expectations for what the Run will mean to us and what we would like to get out of it.  Be positive, talk positive and share positive with others.  For me, this positively incredible event is a family reunion with a purpose and a Mission Statement of Healing, Accounting, Honor and Support and I ALWAYS have high expectations!

Standby Registration Update

On 01 NOV, there were only 54 people signed up for the 89 opens spots on the SandBox Route.  That morning, I sent e-mails with Registration instructions (link and password) to each of those listed.  To date, less than 25 of those have registered.  If you want the spot for which you applied, please take advantage of this opportunity before your window closes on 01 DEC.  if you were on the StandBy Registration list and can’t find the e-mail from sb-registration@rftw.us in your inbox, trash or junk folder, please let me know – I want to get you registered!

If you are not on the StandBy List and want to be, please write me at sb-registration@rftw.us to let me know.  In that message, please tell me two things – 1) Your full name, and 2) whether you are registering as a motorcycle rider, motorcycle passenger, or if you will be in a 4-wheeler.  That’s all that’s needed to get you listed – all the rest will come when you actually register. 

As you can see, there are PLENTY spots still open – one of them should have YOUR name on it!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Recently, I saw a social media post that said, “Unless you have spent significant time outside of the good old USA, don’t lecture me on how the world works.  Go to any country and you will see just how good you have it here.”  As one who has spent plenty time outside the USA, I can certainly understand that sentiment of frustration.  Here in our country, there is plenty of anger and foul rhetoric to go around, but in the end, we must act like Americans and keep our focus on the big picture.  Succumbing to the personal victimhood mindset often sacrifices liberty for political ideology and makes that big picture hard to see.  As our family of Veterans and Patriots knows very well, we all have much for which to be thankful and protecting the Freedom to enjoy it should never be far from our minds.  So, with a sincere spirit of gratitude for all the blessings we enjoy as free Americans, I wish you all a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Remember, all roads lead to all roads so wherever you go, TOGETHER WE RIDE!

WALL 2 WALL!

Bugs out!

Greetings from Weatherford, Texas!

Safe at home now from the All Riders Reunion in Kerrville, Texas.  Big thanks to Sam and Cowboy and all who worked so hard to make that reunion the great success that we have grown to love and enjoy.  At the RC/BoD Town Hall meeting there, I discussed the status of the SandBox Route and emphasized again the importance of our previously registered riders to take advantage of this Pre-Registration Period that ENDS TOMORROW!

The full details of the process and expectations may be found in my last 2 RC Newsletters at the following Links:

RFTW SandBox RC Newsletter – 11 SEP 2021

RFTW SandBox RC Newsletter – SandBox Route 2022 Registration Update

Two Issues/Questions have been surfacing regularly…

1. Why do I have to register if I’m already registered?  No one including myself nor anyone else was already registered prior to 11SEP2021.  All previous registrations were cleared and registration funds were donated to Homes For Our Troops as noted on the Board President’s message dated 19MAR2021 (Link:  President’s Message March 2021)  Opportunity was provided there to request $30 refund in lieu of donation)
2. I didn’t get the e-mail with the registration link and password. Instructions for finding the info or having it re-sent are in the 1^st RC Newsletter noted above.

As a reminder, the pre-registration system will remain open through midnight (pacific time) tomorrow, 30SEP2021 – now it’s time to rush.  If you need more info or clarification, please write me at sb-registration@rftw.us by tonight – I will be offline most all day tomorrow – out on two wheels again!

Now for something completely different…

The next all-hands SandBox Route Virtual Quarterly Briefing will be on Tuesday, 05OCT2021 at 7:00pm Central Time.  There we’ll discuss the latest Route and planning developments, hear from several of your route leadership on their ongoing planning efforts, have an opportunity to discuss the new StandBy Registration Process and have your questions answered live and virtually in person.  Following is the link info…

Join the Zoom Meeting at this link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88327959907?pwd=MXc4ZGZKeHZVVURPUmlyZFM2djF6dz09

Meeting ID: 883 2795 9907

Passcode: Sandbox1

I look forward to seeing you all there!

Remember, all roads lead to all roads so no matter where you go, TOGETHER WE RIDE!

WALL 2 WALL!

Bugs out!

Greetings from Kerrville!

Great day to reunite with the Family at the Texas Riders Reunion here in Kerrville, Texas.  It looks like we’re in for beautiful weather that will be perfect for riding, visiting and of course – eating.  This promises to be a great weekend for the family as we all look ahead to better times.

Registration Update…

As of today, there are 194 people registered for the SandBox Route.  I don’t have a count toward our 275 bike limit but based on our previous ratio, I’d expect this is about 164 bikes.  As you can see, that leaves a lot of potential room that will be filled on the StandBy Registration process starting on 01OCT2021.  This pre-registration system will remain open through midnight (pacific time) on 30SEP2021 so there is no rush at the moment – but keep in mind that is only 7 days away.  Don’t let it catch you off guard.  For more detail on this current registration process, please see my last RC Newsletter published on 11SEP2021 at this link.

StandBy Registration Process

• The SandBox StandBy Registration Process will go live at 12:00am (Eastern time) on 01OCT2022.  To be clear, that is midnight at the start of 01OCT, not at the end of it.
• This process will be used to fill all remaining spots on the SandBox Route after Pre-Registration closes on 30SEP as noted above. 
• If you were otherwise eligible, but did not register during that period, this is the process you will use to get back onto SandBox Route Registration.

Following is the process you’ll need to follow:

1. Compose an e-mail with the Subject Line: “SandBox 2022 Standby Registration Request”.  This subject line will identify your message as a StandBy Request.  I will be grouping these messages by subject to keep them in order as received. 
2. In the e-mail, please provide the following:
   • Your Name (road name is OK, but I’ll need your real name as well)
   • List if you are a Motorcycle Rider, Motorcycle Passenger or 4-Wheel traveler
   • If you are a motorcycle rider with passenger, you may be placed on the list together
3. AFTER 12:00am (Eastern Time) on 01OCT, send the message to SB-Registration@rftw.us.  Messages received before that time will not be listed.
4. Additions to the SandBox Registration will be made in the order the messages (with the noted subject line) are received.
5. At the end of the month, you will be sent a link and password to access the system and complete your registration.  That password will be expire at the end of the next month  We’ll repeat this process (except for step 3) each month to fill the registration roster and keep it filled.

Coordinating these self-imposed registration limits has been a challenging but necessary task as discussed many times before.  I have tried to lay out the process as simply as possible, but I also know that there will be questions.  If you need more info or clarification, please write me at sb-registration@rftw.us.

Now for something completely different…

The next all-hands SandBox Route Virtual Quarterly Briefing will be on Tuesday, 05OCT2021 at 7:00pm Central Time.  There we’ll discuss the latest Route and planning developments, hear from several of your route leadership on their ongoing planning efforts, have an opportunity to discuss the new StandBy Registration Process and have your questions answered live and virtually in person.  Following is the link info…

Join the Zoom Meeting at this link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88327959907?pwd=MXc4ZGZKeHZVVURPUmlyZFM2djF6dz09

Meeting ID: 883 2795 9907

Passcode: Sandbox1

I look forward to seeing you all there!

Remember, all roads lead to all roads so no matter where you go, TOGETHER WE RIDE!

WALL 2 WALL!

Bugs out!

Fellow SandBox Riders,

Today is a day that we all remember, that took the lives of thousands of Americans and changed the lives of so many who carried on.  This horrendous attack sent our military into a wartime stance upon which many of our military members may have served an entire career.  The abrupt and controversial end of in-country operations has left many of our recent SandBox Era warriors feeling lost and wandering in attempts to place value on their service. 

At ceremonies held today at the Flight 93 National Memorial, former President George W. Bush made comments that I want to ensure you get a chance to see…

Let me speak directly to veterans and people in uniform: The cause you pursued at the call of duty is the noblest America has to offer. You have shielded your fellow citizens from danger. You have defended the beliefs of your country and advanced the rights of the downtrodden. You have been the face of hope and mercy in dark places. You have been a force for good in the world. Nothing that has followed — nothing — can tarnish your honor or diminish your accomplishments. To you, and to the honored dead, our country is forever grateful.

Former President George W. Bush, speaking at Flight 93 National Memorial, 11 SEP 2021

On my SandBox Supporter Run this year, I was honored to have a visit to that Flight 93 Memorial.  President Bush made further comments that will forever change how I view that memorial, those 40 Americans who died there and what their sacrifice meant to our country…

Twenty years ago, terrorists chose a random group of Americans, on a routine flight, to be collateral damage in a spectacular act of terror. The 33 passengers and 7 crew of Flight 93 could have been any group of citizens selected by fate. In a sense, they stood in for us all.

The terrorists soon discovered that a random group of Americans is an exceptional group of people. Facing an impossible circumstance, they comforted their loved ones by phone, braced each other for action, and defeated the designs of evil.

These Americans were brave, strong, and united in ways that shocked the terrorists — but should not surprise any of us. This is the nation we know. And whenever we need hope and inspiration, we can look to the skies and remember.

Former President George W. Bush, speaking at Flight 93 National Memorial, 11 SEP 2021

The Mission of our SandBox Route is tied directly to this sentiment and will be brought to the forefront of our hearts and minds as we take to the road on our Wall 2 Wall mission next May.  On Day 1, we will visit the Flight 93 Memorial to honor those 40 great Americans, lift up their families and reaffirm to each other that the “exceptional group of people” lives on in each of us.  When we arrive there, I know that I will look to the skies and remember.

---

As SandBox Route Registration opened today, I must address a few issues that some folks have experienced and some other notes for everyone’s information…

First of all, on 10SEP2021 (yesterday) at about 5:50pm (Central) an e-mail was sent out to all previously Registered and StandBy Listed SandBox Route participants that were current on the day the 2021 Run was cancelled.  That message contained the internet link and password to register for the 2022 SandBox Route.  If you believe you fit into one of those categories and did not get that message, please do the following:

1. Check your Junk and Spam folders.  The message was sent to a large distribution list and may have been diverted by your system.
2. Check your current e-mail address.  Most people’s original registration was completed in late 2019.  If you changed your e-mail since then, my message went to your old address.
3. If neither of these work for you, contact me at sb-registration@rftw.us.  I will confirm your status and send you the message directly if warranted.  Please note, several folks believed they were registered when they in fact were not.

Next, some folks have told me that the system did not automatically direct them to fill out the on-line Liability Waiver.  Your registration is not complete until that Liability Waiver is complete.  The direct link to the Liability Waiver is on the e-mail message already sent to you.

For everyone’s info…  This Registration Link and Password message was sent out to over 300 people who met the criteria for this registration period.  If someone who does not meet the criteria uses that information to register, their registration will be cancelled when I scrub the final registration against the authorized list as described above. Beyond that I will sincerely appreciate the $10 donation.  I’m depending on your honesty and integrity to prevent that from happening.

Finally, this limited Registration Period will end promptly at Midnight Pacific Time on 30 SEP 2021.  The StandBy List process will kick off at 12:00am (Pacific Time) on 01 OCT 2021 for those authorized folks who failed to take advantage of this registration period and for anyone else who wishes to join me on the 2022 SandBox Route.  The 2022 Standby List process will be presented on a separate RC Newsletter before that day.

This has been a long message, but we have been on a long journey together.  This is our year, this is our Run and we will be brave, strong and united because we have such tremendous example to follow. 

Stay strong, stay well, stay positive and get ready.  The countdown has begun!

Remember, all roads lead to all roads so no matter where you go, TOGETHER WE RIDE!

WALL 2 WALL!

Bugs out!

Howdy from Texas!

My newsletters typically attempt at light discussion of personal observation or discussion for which we all may have an interest.  However, as I write this newsletter, there’s not much levity I can think of.  As a Veteran of multiple SandBox Era operations dating back to 1991, my thoughts are with those fellow Veterans, Patriots and families who watch as the product of our efforts and sacrifices appear to evaporate in the wind.  I know that many are hurting and don’t know where to place those feelings that may not have risen in a long time.  But the consequences of our government’s inability to learn from history do not negate or even diminish your efforts and sacrifice.  You made a difference!  You are someone’s vision of an American!  You lit a spark that may someday grow to a flame of courage in young people who may learn to understand what freedom really means as many of them will now see it from the wrong side of the fence.

A very good friend and neighbor here in Texas writes a daily blog.  With his permission, I’d like to share his entry from 24 August:

Consider this…of great hope and great disappointment

I wish there was always some reward equivalent to the sacrifice, but in life that’s not always true.  What I’ve come to learn is that we are left with intent.  Intent doesn’t keep score. Intent is a direction not the destination; it’s aspirational. Trying to do the right thing is more admirable than doing the wrong thing or doing nothing.

A friend of mine remarked that the reason I’m a good executive coach (it presupposes that I am) is that I don’t get my feelings hurt when people don’t do what I expect.  It’s about the intent for me. I can’t control the outcome, only my input. Every parent knows that feeling.

And so it is with Afghanistan. After 20 years we’ve given it our best effort at giving another country what we have.  The good intent was there. You can’t give people something they don’t understand or can’t appreciate. Democracy is simple but incredibly complex, it’s subtle but in your face.

Oh, I understand why we went there, but it’s not why we stayed.  

For those that went, sacrificed and those that didn’t come back, thank you and yours! Incrementally, the world is a better place because of the sacrifices you made and the intentions you took with you.

Happy trails…

The author of that entry is Ken Davis, an Air Force Veteran who always provides sage advice, tremendous insight and “Cowboy Logic” for difficult and complex issues.  Thanks Ken, for allowing me to share your words with my RFTW Family.

I hope and pray that all my SandBox Era family are finding the support, comfort, and guidance they need as this volatile situation continues to unfold – MG Chris Donahue’s lifting his boot off the ramp may mean we’re out of the country, but this is far from over.  Remember that the greatest successes with the most lasting value are those achieved with personal relationships – those you developed during your service and those with extended family members who now surround you.  You are never alone and you won’t be left behind.

Before I close, one bit of business… In just a few minutes, I will be sending out a Registration Process update to all SandBox Riders who were previously registered and those who were on the Standby List.  If you believe you were Registered or on Standby for the 2021 SandBox Route and you don’t see an e-mail from SB-Registration@rftw.us with the subject line “2022 SandBox Route Registration Plan”, please send an e-mail to that address and let me know.

Remember, all roads lead to all roads so no matter where you go, TOGETHER WE RIDE!

WALL 2 WALL!

Bugs out!

Howdy from Texas!

New Year – Fresh Start! If you’re like me, the new year begins after the Run as the countdown starts toward the next KSU in May. This year (as opposed to June 2020), I received a good dose of reunion as I was able to visit with many of the family along my travels to visit our SandBox Route Supporters along the way from the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in DC to the Middle East Conflicts Wall in Marseilles. The bonus visit to Missouri’s National Veterans Memorial in Perryville was phenomenal not just because it is a beautiful Memorial, but it’s where I found so many of that family I haven’t seen in over two years. And that was just a taste of the epic reunion waiting for us next May when we finally all get together again.

Your SandBox Route Leadership has taken a well deserved break from my constant calls and contact for Route planning through the month of June – but next week we kick-off the full planning cycle once again to ensure that KSU in May 2022 is the best it can be. As always, You, the SandBox Route Rider/Participant/Volunteer/Leader/Supporter are all a part of that process and your Team Leads and I would like you to join us for my Supporter Run Debrief as we lay out the initial plan for the Inaugural Run of our SandBox Route.

Following are the details. I look forward to seeing you all there.

2022 All Riders Kick-off Meeting

Tuesday, 06 July 2021 at 7:00pm Central

Zoom Meeting Link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83270239807?pwd=T1VCSTVDRzNSaWdPNmFtR1V1Y2s2Zz09
Meeting ID: 832 7023 9807
Passcode: RFTW22

Remember, all roads lead to all roads so no matter where you go, TOGETHER WE RIDE!

WALL 2 WALL!

Bugs out!

Howdy from Texas!

Back in the day when I was flying as a Tomcat RIO, I was quite aware of the risks and rewards or my profession – and I had great appreciation and respect for both.  I knew family back home was aware of them too so whenever flying from home base or around the country, one of my first priorities was to contact home with a “Safe on Deck” call.  Over the course of the past two weeks, while I traveled on what I called the SB Supporter Run, I made and received many of those calls – made them back home and to many of my RFTW Family members who knew I was traveling and received just as many from those who knew I was following their own journey.

The purpose of my SB Supporter Run was a personal mission to visit as many of our SandBox Route supporters as possible to ensure they also know that we as an organization and as a group of individual motivated patriots are Safe on Deck.  That our dedication to the RFTW Mission is intact and strong and that we appreciate their continued patience and support.  Along the Run, I met with Service Station Managers, Motorcycle Dealership Owners, Police Chiefs and Officers, County Sheriffs, Restaurant Managers, VFW Post Directors and many others to present them with a framed Certificate of Appreciation or Plaque and to ensure that they knew we were not slowing down or pulling back.  Every single one of the folks with whom I met shared that same dedication to supporting the Run and its Mission  next year.  In meeting with city leaders, I discovered that they too are ready to break out of the shell in which we’ve been held for well over a year now and they see our Mission as a way to reaffirm to themselves and their communities that the Patriotic American Spirit remains strong and is worth demonstrating in full force.

My post-mission report to you, our loyal and dedicated SandBox Rider is that our Run is Strong, our Mission is Steadfast, and our Route will be EPIC!

I’d like to thank my exceptional brother and long-time friend, Sam “Polar Bear” Warner who rode with me and helped escort the SandBox Route Plaque across almost 4000 miles including our SandBox Route through all weather before laying it at the Middle East Conflicts Wall on Memorial Day.  He was able to post real time updates on our trip while giving me top-cover to quietly travel on this Mission to support our Route.  I’d also like to thank Tom “Kid” Schultz and Brandon “Five-O” McCray for riding with me and setting up some very important meetings along the way, not to mention some awesome back roads during a side-trip in Ohio.

Now for the good stuff…  On Tuesday, 06 JUL 2021 at 7pm Central, we’ll have our next SandBox Route Virtual Quarterly Briefing.  At this briefing, I plan to discuss my travels along the route, review some of the details resulting from my meetings and reveal some of the plans now in work to make this Mission an event that will touch the hearts and minds of everyone along the way.  Yes, there will be photos.

So, the annual countdown to May has begun as I have received my first “Is it May yet?” from another close brother, Richard “Rags” Getchell shortly after we said our farewells at the MECW on Memorial Day.  On day at a time, one month at a time and before you know it, we’ll be standing tall for KSU from DC on 29MAY22.  For now, I’ll look forward to seeing you all online on 06JUL – ZOOM Link details will follow later.  Until then, “Safe on Deck” calls are appropriate and always welcome!

Remember, all roads lead to all roads so no matter where you go, TOGETHER WE RIDE!

WALL 2 WALL!

Bugs out!

Howdy from Texas!

HOW FAR’RE WE GOING? How many times have we heard that question  shouted out near the end of the morning briefing somewhere along the road?  Whenever I hear it in my mind, it’s Gunny’s voice and the resounding answer gives me a chill of anxious excitement as I know we’re about to saddle up for one more leg that will take us closer to another Mission Accomplished at The Wall.  Listen again and tell me you don’t hear his voice…  HOW FAR?  

ALL THE WAY!!!

Knowing that I’m about a year away from hearing that voice at an early morning brief somewhere along the Run can be disappointing.  But when I think about my RFTW Family, knowing that we are all still in this together gives me the encouragement I need to look past that feeling and onto the Mission that binds us.  Many of us are planning a trip next month to join up with that family in support of various opportunities to Continue the Mission – OUTSTANDING!  I look forward to crossing paths with many of you in my own travels.  We must all keep in mind that these efforts are in support of the MISSION while the Run waits another year – as we’ve discussed before, the Run is on the road, but the Mission is in your heart.

We have had great success and amazing discussions on the quarterly SandBox Route Virtual Briefings and plan to have one more before the end of May.  Please join me for the 4^th SandBox Route Virtual Briefing for all Leadership and Riders this coming Tuesday night at 7pm Central for the next SandBox Route briefing on Zoom.  Your Route Leadership Team will once again be online with me to answer questions and discuss issues related to planning for the Run.  Details of the meeting and the Zoom link you’ll need are shown below.

As always, I look forward to seeing you all as we continue to stand together from afar knowing that the bonds that unite us are so much stronger than the distance between us.  However, for this meeting I must insist on one ground rule…  Please avoid using this forum to discuss or coordinate personal ride or route planning for upcoming events later in the month.

Someone watching us assemble in DC for SandBox or in Ontario for the other Routes may look at our journey as a long haul across the country to destinations they have only dreamed of visiting.  Looking forward through the summer and into fall and winter, it may seem to us a long haul to our Run in May of 2022 but we all know it will be worth the wait.  Whether it’s distance or time, this familiar question will bring the same response from the resilient Veterans and Patriots who I call family.  Now – shoulders back, take a deep breath and literally shout out the answer like you mean it – it will make you feel closer to being there…

HOW FAR’RE WE GOING?

Remember, all roads lead to all roads so no matter where you go, TOGETHER WE RIDE!

WALL 2 WALL!

Bugs out!

Howdy from Texas!

Thirty years ago today, on Operation SECRET SQUIRREL (SENIOR SURPRISE), B-52’s from Barksdale AFB, Louisiana struck the first blow to a terroristic regime in what would become Operation DESERT STORM.  For many of our post-Vietnam era military members, this was the first time that they would see large scale mobilization for a combat deployment.  Since the SS Mayaguez incident and the subsequent USMC assault on Koh Tang Island marked the last combat action of the Vietnam War, the US had not engaged in theater level warfare of the scale to come during Desert Storm. 

On this day in 1991, young LTJG Billie “Bugs” Dunlap, USN was underway onboard USS Nimitz (CVN 68) with the VF-24 Renegades as one of the Navy’s newest fully qualified F-14 Tomcat Radar Intercept Officers (RIO).  We were on workups, preparing for the pending deployment to the Persian Gulf to relieve the USS Ranger (CV 61), currently on station there – I knew that night where we were heading and what might wait for us there.  With a wife and 2-year-old daughter back home, I experienced the mixed emotions of patriotic enthusiasm to enter the fray with my squadron of warriors while fearing the unknown of the highly volatile nature of modern theater air warfare. 

For me, the world boiled down to two questions…  Would I serve my oath with honor?  Would I come home to see my family?  The first was totally up to me, but for the second question I knew the enemy had a vote.  Obviously, the enemy was outvoted, but for many of our SandBox Era Warriors the vote went the other way.  Now, 30 years later we are in the final stages of preparing for a Mission with those SandBox Era Warriors and their families in mind: Honoring those who returned to show that we as a nation understand the sacrifice of their service and supporting the families of those who did not return – for some that sacrifice may be a wound that still needs healing. 

While our Route is well planned and almost every pitfall and shortfall may be identified, mapped and mitigated, the MISSION is to provide for the people on the Run and on the Roads we travel.  The people we meet, the stories we share, the stories we hear – the lives we touch and the lives that touch us – that is what this Mission is all about.  From the rider in the pack to the Route Coordinator leading the way, we are all part of the mission and will have a part to play in its success – we are much stronger together than we could possibly be taking separate paths to the same end.

So, as of today you have 132 days and a wake up to get ready before KSU in DC on Sunday morning, 30 MAY 2021.  Your fully charged mental, emotional, spiritual, physical and material readiness will be required on this Mission.  With the same patriotic enthusiasm that inspired my journey into the skies over Iraq, I vow to you that I will be ready and will see that every possible turn of planning is made to ensure that you are safe and supported as we execute this Inaugural Run of the SandBox Route.

So, what about the first question?  After we share some stories on the Run, you can decide for yourself.  See you in DC!

Remember, all roads lead to all roads so no matter where you go, TOGETHER WE RIDE!

WALL 2 WALL!

Bugs out!