Author: Boots

Day 6 – Southern Route; Monroe, LA to Meridian, MS

Again, a good day!  We were blessed with good weather (knocking on wood here).  The first stop was at a memorial in Monroe with dignitaries speaking to us along with a bag pipe player that was good.  A good breakfast in the Sam’s Club parking lot and then on the road again.  At our first fuel stop, I was looking for shade and started talking with a couple of the guys hanging out there, enjoying the shade.  Jake sees my name tag and asks if I’m the Boots writing the SitReps and after confirming that, he tells me his wife is reading them in Phoenix area and they made her cry some.  Wow, that was powerful and cool to hear.  First, people are actually reading this and it seems to be hitting home some.  Jake’s wife, Thank You and towards the bottom you’ll see a pic of Jake and I.  It’s difficult to articulate the feelings we experience as we go through this annual adventure.  The towns we stop at are so welcoming and really pleased to see us.  We are a bunch of sweaty bikers coming off the highway and these people are giving us big hugs, feeding us, often laying out big displays of home baked goodies, everything is decorated well and thanking us for what we’re doing and our service.  It means a lot to us and I’m getting that our visits mean a lot to them.  They appreciate that we are doing our mission to remember those that can’t ride, those that were lost or wounded and not just physical wounds.  (https://www.warriorsforfreedom.org/r22) It allows them to talk about the loved ones they lost and hear stories from us as we have connections of being in the service and know the areas of the world that their loved ones had been.  Taking care of us as we pass through makes their week special or, maybe even longer.  As we go East, it seems to be building.  In Louisiana, we had LEO escort all the way through the state.  As mentioned yesterday, that helps with a level of safety for everyone in the pack.  Today, when we hit Mississippi, we had 2 helicopters escort us about 60 miles AND, there were probably 30 motor cops with bright blue flashing lights that literally shut down highway 20 by blocking all the entrances to the highway until we passed by.  Then, prior to coming into the city of Meridian, MS, there were fire trucks, often with huge flags, and lots of people on EVERY overpass, probably 25 of them, waving at us and it seemed to grow as we came into Meridian.  To witness that; was amazing.

Back to the lunch stop.  We stopped at the Harley Davidson of Jackson Dealership.  They have been welcoming the RFTW at this dealership for a many years.  This year we learned it’s probably the last year as the dealership is being sold to a new owner.  We’re not sure if the new owner will be as supportive as Earle has been.  We’ll find out next year.  And, there were dignitaries there to speak to us.  The former governor of Mississippi, Phil Bryant spoke to us and we found out he rides.  The Governor introduced Col Keith Lewis.  Col. Lewis was interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam after he was shot down on 10/5/1972 and was held until his release on 3/29/1973.  Col Lewis was presented the Legion of Merit by the President of the United States and an Act of Congress.  Col Lewis told us some stories about his being shot down, parachuting and ending up as a POW.  He always kept a positive attitude During this period, the leadership, exemplary foresight, and ceaseless efforts consistently demonstrated by Chaplain Lewis resulted in significant contributions to the well-being of fellow Americans.

Then we went into Meridian and came into the Lauderdale County Agriculture Pavilion.  We had presentations to Thank the organizations that contributed foods and other services.  There were so many people including a large Boy Scout Troop helping to do whatever needed doing.  There is a group from Florida that come up on day 6 every year with a tractor trailer truck filled with washing machines and dryers to do our laundry.  Apparently, they respond to National Disasters of all types to help people with this service.  We were handed a bag with our name on it and tomorrow morning, they will be handed back with clean and folded clothes.  The dinner was wonderful, very tasty.  lots of homemade deserts.  It was cool.  Thank You to everyone involved.

Day 5 – Southern Route; Grand Prairie, TX to Monroe, LA

A good day today, lots of things going on.  We started in Grand Prairie and ended up in Monroe LA.  Going all through Texas, we had LEO escort and as soon as we hit the LA border, we were joined by 10 or more Louisiana State Motor Cops on their bikes and a couple of cars.  They were stopping traffic onto the entrances of the highway and letting our Road Guards take over while they would shoot out probably going 100 MPH to get up to the next entrance and leap frogging like that.  It’s fun to watch and sure makes it safer for us to not worry about cars or trucks trying to scoot between us to get into a different lane to get off or on.  With as long of a footprint as we have on the highway, this is very helpful.

Today, I had the honor to meet “Tigger” (road name) who’s nephew was Marc Alan Lee, the first Navy Seal to be KIA in Iraq on 8/2/2006.  Tigger rode Missing Man for Marc Lee on Day 1, leg 3.  I had a chance to learn some about Marc and his Mom from Tigger.  Marc wrote a letter to his Mom which became his last letter home.  Marc was awarded the Silver Star posthumously from the President of the United States for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidly in action against the enemy as an assaulter in automatic weapons gunner in Sea, Land, Air Team, Naval Special Warfare Task Group, In support of Iraqi Freedom, on August 2, 2006.  Marc is a Hero!  Tigger went on to explain that of course, the loss of her son was devastating as it would be to any parent, but Debbie Lee received a letter from him, Marc’s last letter.  Below is a link to a web site that has the full letter from Marc and it’s a very good read; inspiring.  And the inspiration in that letter helped Marc’s mom, Debbie Lee to not simply sit around and grieve, but do something to help Veterans that need help dealing with PTSD. I need to read more and learn more which I will do but there is a lot of good stuff on this web site including some different treatments to assist with PTSD using a Hyperbaric Oxygen Chamber.  I’ve been told the results are outstanding and it makes sense to treat with pressurized oxygen.  It’s used by Physicians to promote faster healing of wounds.  Marc’s mom, known to the Seal community as Mama Lee has been fund raising for her organization to treat Vets that need help.  The letter is available at: https://americasmightywarriors.org/_1/marcs-last-letter-home/

The section of Marc’s “last letter home” that affected Debbie to do something rather than to be angry mom and grieve is:  However, what I do over here is only a small precent of what keeps our country great.  I think the truth to out greatness is each other.  Purity, morals and kindness, passed down to each generation through example.  So to all my family and friends, do me a favor and pass on the kindness, the love, the precious gift of human life to each other so that when your children come in contact with a great conflict that we are faced with here in Iraq, that they are people of humanity, of pure motives, of compassion.

Back to today’s run, the weather is holding out to be pretty good.  Hot, but not raining.  We had an experience at the Minden Fuel stop where the gas station we were planning to fill up at was out of fuel!  The fuel team went across the street and that station did not want to handle us so they went to a 3^rd station that was next door to the original target and they accommodated us, but it led to fancy shuffling of getting the bikes filled and then moved to the original station to be staged into the groups.  Two years ago, I wrote about spending a day with the Fuel Team and how they work hard behind the scenes to get all the bikes filled so quickly.  I’d also like to mention that Staging team that always stages the bikes, so we are in the correct groups and the correct location.  It’s been compared to herding cats.  Well, hopefully we’re better than that but the platoons are numbered, and everyone needs to be with their platoon.  There is a sticker on the windshield of each bike indicating the platoon they belong to so the stagers are out there with signs at all times of early morning darkness and afternoon heat to get us lined up properly so we can pull out as an organized pack.  There are so many jobs that are critical to this well-oiled mission that are unsung heroes to make the run the great mission it is.  It’s worth a big shout out with a Thank You to the staging team, Thanks for your hard work and doing your part so well.  Like the fuel team, they ride ahead of the team to be at the stops to guide us and often miss out on meals or some of the other memorials we visit.

Today’s Outreach Mission was to Camp V in Tyler Texas.  I was told about it from “Fred Fred” and it’s a camp for veterans that need anything to heal themselves.  From they’re web site of “Who We Are” : Veterans, Active Duty, and Military Families love to live among the lakes and piney woods of East Texas. However, along with this serenity comes frustration when resources, information, and outlets for wellness are needed but cannot be found. Where do we go? Who has this service? Only to be told, “We don’t do that; you have to go someplace else.” Just connecting to other Military families challenges their time, patience, and pocketbooks. Many give up!
CampV (Community Assisting Military Personnel and Veterans) has answered the call!

Our unique 20-acre campus provides convenient access to local Veteran Service Providers at one location in Tyler, Tx. Veteran Volunteer Advocates meet personally with clients to assess needs and situations. Then working through a network of resources, Veteran families receive assistance to advance their current circumstances.  The visit was an interesting learning experience and it’s empowering to see good resources made available to the Vets that need help.

Continuing onto our day, of course, we were well cared for as we traveled.  In Terrel TX, we stopped for fuel and the local community came out to greet us and offer all kinds of drinks, snacks and sandwiches.  A young lady who is a Freshman in High School sang the National Anthem that was a very good rendition.  Then we went on to Longview TX to the fairgrounds where we again were fed well, provided sandwiches, snacks, drinks and lots of other goodies.  A local woman had a table set up with little angel trinkets she made to give to us.  There were over 4000 with many different types and colors.  Then we went on to Monroe LA to have a real good dinner of catfish, pork, cole slaw, French frys and cake.  Thank You Terrel, Longview and Monroe Shriners Hall with supporting cast.  We appreciate your work and support.  One last thought, today the community support was overwhelming.  So many over passes had fire trucks with at least 40 foot long flags hanging from their ladder trucks with people waving at us, welcoming us into their area.  I would need more fingers on my hands to count the number of over passes that had welcoming people greeting us this way.

A good day all around!

Boots – USAF ’72 – ’75

Day 4 – Southern Route; Odessa, TX to Grand Prairie, TX

It’s hot in the deserts out here says this California boy.  Actually, the temps could be higher and will soon be but, when you’re riding through New Mexico and Texas at 65 MPH on a motorcycle, the wind will dry off the sweat but you’re body is always sweating, you just don’t feel it.  That’s the danger to be aware of so you don’t dehydrate, so hydrating constantly, drinking lots of water is a must.  And, we made it across to Grand Prairie, Texas.  The traffic coming in was challenging.  Keeping in mind we are a long line of motorcycles coming into a congested area with lots of people wanting to commute home and get on the highways we happen to be closing entrances to.  Some of these drivers try to get on anyway but luckily we have experienced and talented Road Guards that are always working closely with local law enforcement and they keep us safe.  We started in Odessa TX today and visited the Permian Basin Memorial.  It’s an interesting Vietnam Memorial dedicated to locals that gave all.  Every year there is a Native American man there that blesses our bikes with burning sage and prayers.  It’s an honor from this cool guy and we need all the prayers we can get!  We then went on to the Big Spring Memorial in Big Springs, TX.  We heard from a family that had just received word that their father who was missing for 51 years was finally identified in the remains of a plane crash in Vietnam with small parts of him found along with part of a gas station credit card.  He was recently brought home and buried here.  An amazing story.  They say it a very slow process but the work continues to bring them home.  There was a wreath laying here with our honor guard paying tribute and a nice version of Taps.

We then went on to Colorado City in Texas.  Colorado City is an amazing small town that opens up to our arrival and spends a lot of time preparing for us.  They feed us very well.  Today we had BBQ chicken, Beef, potato salad and green beans.  One of the servers mentioned that “we cover all 3 food groups, there’s chicken, beef and bacon on the green beans and potato salad”.  Yumm.  Thank You Colorado City!  One of the city members told me that RFTW coming into their town was like Christmas for them and really appreciated us visiting.  We then went onto Grand Prairie.  In Grand Prairie, we went to Dubiski Career High School for dinner.  This trip is not all about food but I’m sure it seems like it’s talked about here a lot.  It’s a factor of the friendliness of local folks wanting to honor us and take care of us while in their neighborhood.  We can’t not mention how these folks work hard to come up with the funds to buy this food, and cook it for us while honoring us for our service.  They make it clear they honor us because we represent their own family members that served and too many times did not come home.  It’s a feeling of family all coming together.  I’m sure there are better ways to articulate this but the gestures are all appreciated and means a lot on both sides.  There are many that have a family member on the Vietnam Wall in DC and someone in RFTW will get a tracing of their name and send it back to a relative in a town like Colorado City or Grand Prairie, creating a friendship that lasts forever.  The magic of the run.

Boots, USAF ’72 – ’75

Day 3 – Southern Route; Las Cruces, NM to Odessa, TX

Today we started at the Las Cruces American Legion.  They opened up their hall to us and fed us a nice breakfast. Thank You American Legion Post 10.  From the American Legion Post, we went to the Veterans Memorial Park in Las Cruces.  It’s a beautiful park.  Some pictures are below.  One of the stand out memorials is the Bataan Memorial Death March.  Synopsis: In the Bataan Death March, about 75,000 Filipino and American troops on the Bataan Peninsula on the Philippine Island of Luzon were forced to make an arduous 65-mile march to prison camps. After the U.S. surrender of the Bataan Peninsula in 1942 during World War II, the Japanese took control of the area, and the prisoner of war (POWs) were subjected to brutal treatment by Japanese guards. An estimated 17,000 men perished during and after the Bataan Death March.

The memorial here has footprints in the cement that were created by actual surviving members of the march.  The rest of the park has memorials to other wars and are planning to grow the memorial for Afghanistan and Iraq.  They are all impressive.  We had a wreath laying ceremony with a 3 gun (technically a 3 gun volley) salute and an honor guard.  The Vietnam War Memorial is touching.  Etched in metal are pictures of the local hero’s that died supporting the war along with many other details.  If you’re reading this from afar, there’s a good chance there’s good memorials near you that are worth visiting this memorial day to honor those that gave all for us.

Today, I had the honor to ride Missing Man for a young man from my hometown.  The missing man formation has a volunteer rider riding side by side with an open area representing the place that soldier would be riding if they were alive today.  It’s a way to honor “Those Who Can’t Ride”.  I didn’t know this warrior when he was living near me as he went to a different high school then my kids but it sure hit the news when it was reported he was KIA in Anbar Province, Iraq.  Travis enlisted right after high school.  Marine Lance Corporal Travis Layfield, 19 years old at the time, was KIA in an ambush of insurgents.  Travis was assigned to the 2^nd Battalion, 4^th Marines, 1^st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, California.   As I heard from his mother, after being shot, the insurgents dragged his body to the end of town trying to hide him in a big pile of trash.  His fellow Marines were looking for him without success until one of them saw, just an antenna sticking up out of the pile, which led them to Travis.  His mom, GSM Diane Layfield told us of this story at one of our regional monthly meetings that she attends to be with the RFTW family.  As mentioned, Travis joined the Marines soon after graduating from high school and was excited, yet a little scared to be going off to war like anyone would be.  We had news today that Travis became a grandfather today, May 17^th, 2024.  He never met his son, but he has a strong family to take care of him and now the legacy will continue with his grandson.

We continued on to Texas going through El Paso with a few stops along the way.  One of those stops was at the Van Horn Convention Center where again, a nice lunch with giving people.  All the way through Texas we have LEO (law enforcement officer) escort for our 1.5 to 2.0 mile long footprint on the freeway with so many bikes.  In Odessa TX we ended up in the Crossroads Fellowship Church.  A very large church and we all ate very well.  Magic of the run.  A big Thank You to all the folks that took care of us today.

Boots, USAF ’72 – ’75

Day 2 – Southern Route; Casa Grande, AZ to Las Cruces, NM.

An interesting day.  We were served a good breakfast at the Elks lodge and left on time towards Las Cruces, NM.  There was a fuel stop in Marana, AZ at the Circle K.  Lots of locals came out to greet us and honor us with Thanks and Well Wishes.  There some older Vets that wished they could be traveling with us but their health won’t allow.  We Thank You Casa Grande Elks lodge for wonderful hospitality and a fun time and also the folks at Marana, AZ.  It’s an honor to meet with you and share the emotions with remembering loved ones lost.

We then went on to Wilcox, AZ.  We went to the Elks Lodge there and we were greeted by at least 100 elementary school children that were out there waving flags and greeting us with nice cards while we traipsed through to get a good pulled pork sandwich that was cooked by the same Vet that has been doing this for 12 years for Run for the Wall.  Again, a very nice reception, warm greetings and a nice meal as we are invited to their hometown.  From there, we traveled towards Las Cruces.  The wind that was blowing challenged us and surly kept you awake if you were tired at all.  We had significant dust clouds for a few miles but we made it through with another story to tell when we get home.  Las Cruces was ready for us.  We had a Army helicopter escorting us into town and after we arrived at the Elks lodge, the helicopter pilot buzzed the Elks lodge a couple of times and then landed in the field just next door.  We had many hugs and handshakes from the folks there, it was one of the warmest receptions to date.  Dinner was served and boy was it good.  BBQ links, brisket and chicken on each plate along with Cole Slaw and a great BBQ sauce.  There was an honor guard service presenting the flag that was obviously practiced, very well done.  I’ve always liked Las Cruces and the people there are a big part of the reason.  Then on to the hotels and get ready for more excitement tomorrow.

I also wanted to bring attention to a group of volunteers that normally are not talked about much and that is the Chase Team.  I mentioned a couple of years ago there are so many people that work in support of this run, many coming along as part of the run and many that are at each stop or working during the entire year to help this run be an organized event like the state coordinators, it’s difficult to mention everyone.  This day, I want to speak about the Chase Team.  My roommate, an FNG that I ride with a lot during the year had a problem with his bike.  At a fuel stop, the bike appeared to have an electrical problem.  Like so many newer bikes, so much is electronic.  His fuel door wouldn’t open so he shut the bike down, couldn’t open the fuel door and tried to start the bike.  Of course it wouldn’t start.  After a fair amount of work, the fuel stop was ending and they decided to put the bike on one of the trailers and think about where to bring the bike for service.  Choices were coming down to the Phoenix area which was still in front of us.  The point of this story is that Alan’s experience was extremely good in this devastating situation.  They put his bike on the trailer without letting him help, tied it down well and went to the Blythe fairgrounds where our lunch was.  Of course they have awesome trailers an Alan learned that the owner of the trailer (complete voluteer) built the trailer himself!  During lunch, Alan was talking with someone who has a similar bike and it was suggested that it might be a vapor lock situation.  After letting it cool down and still on the trailer, he tried starting it and it did start.  Yea!!  So, they pulled the bike off and Alan was able to ride on his own to catch up with the pack.  A big part of this that really impressed him was the caring from this team and their concern that the problem was fixed and didn’t come back.  The chase team is a great bunch of people that are there to support the pack and keep everyone safe.  They are not often mentioned here but there service to the run is critical.  Thank You Chase Team!  It great to know you’re there and we hope we never need your services but it’s nice to know you’re there with competent hands.  The magic of the run.

A bit about the Missing Man Formation.  When a soldier is KIA or MIA, it’s tradition to pay respect to that missing person by remembering them in different ways.  Since we are “Riding For Those That Can’t”, we have a formation in the very front of the pack that includes an open spot without a motorcycle there to honor the person who could not be with us.  A person from the pack has an opportunity to ride next to the open spot to remember someone that is important to them.  This is for each leg which means from where we start our day to the first stop which is probably a fuel stop.  Then, someone else will have an opportunity to do this on the next leg.  We have people that are riding for friends or loved ones, maybe a spouse or a brother or a sister.  It can be an emotional time.  A Chaplin is always there to hear the riders story.  A prayer is said and hugs go all around.  The Gold Star Moms and Dads are the most emotional as they grieve over the child that was lost in service to our country.  Freedom is not free.  We have more and more joining the 22 lost each day to taking their own lives, usually PTSD where they simply can’t deal with the emotions anymore.  This is a very deep subject that can’t be dealt with properly here but it’s a fact that needs to be heard and support provided to those that need someone to hear them, listen to them and protect them when ever possible.  Missing Man is an honor to remember and acknowledge.

Boots, USAF ’72 – ’75

Greetings Everyone.  We had some technical issues with my access to the web site and they seem to be solved now.  So, catch up time.  Here is the first post which was written a couple of days ago.

Monday and Tuesday.  It’s amazing to gather all together here and see friends and family members we hadn’t seen for a year or two.  It’s great watching friends greet each other and catch up on the previous year of their life.  It’s a big family here with everyone being welcomed home.  There are many FNG’s.  Welcoming them into the fold is special and often very touching as they talk about the challenges they faced in life dealing with memories and lost friends or loved ones.  Our primary motto is: We Ride For Those Who Can’t.  A big follow up is: We Say Their Names So They Are NOT Forgotten! This year, the primary Hero I’m riding for is Travis J. Leyfield.  Travis was a 19 year old Marine that was KIA on April 6, 2004, so 20 years ago.  Travis is from my home town of Fremont, CA.  I’m riding missing man on Day 3, leg 4 for Travis so more to come on him this week.

Going on these rides and going through these towns where they really open up the town and line the sidewalks waving at us, often waving flags, feeding us a breakfast, a lunch or a dinner, it’s hard to describe the warmth we receive, the hugs as we stop by for our quick visit.  It’s overwhelming at times.  Again, some of the stories we hear from parents or siblings that are so pleased that we are doing what we do to keep their loved ones thought about, keep their names alive and keep pressure on the forces that be to keep looking for MIA or remains of KIA heros.  It’s a feeling of purpose for all of us.

This is my 2^nd time as the SitRep writer, the 1^st was in ’22, and this year I’m going to try to capture more of the experiences on the outreach missions.  I also want to try to capture “what the mission means to me” from many of the participants.  We will honor those that are missing, those that are KIA, those that have been permanently affected by their experiences in war, and those that walk among us having made it after sacrificing part of their lives so we can all live in freedom.  As they say, Freedom isn’t Free!

Something worth re-stating, words from our President, John Staub in a recent post:  Finally, before we go to KSU, I believe it is proper to remember why we ride. It is not about any of us, it is not about the color of the hat one wears, it is not about taking a cross-country motorcycle ride. It is about our Mission. We need to keep in mind that “We Ride for Those Who Can’t” is more than just a motto. This Mission is about calling for accountability of those 1577 still missing; it is about supporting those families still seeking answers. Our Mission is also about reflection, healing, educating, and reminding America of the sacrifices our veterans, their families and friends made in defense of our Nation. It is about thanking those who served, those who are serving, and those who paid the ultimate price. Our Run is also a joyous annual reunion as we all regroup and set our sights toward that Mission. And though our Annual Run is certainly an event worth celebrating, please keep in mind that our Mission is real and should be treated with Honor and serious Commitment. It must not be treated like a party.

One story I wanted to relay is a member that has been involved for many years, Rob Reavis known as “Old School”.  Old School hasn’t been able to participate on the run as much lately and this year, he was planning to come to Ontario and ride as 2^nd up (ride bitch) with Tin Man for the first leg from Ontario to the first fuel stop, in Coachella.  Old School’s health made it too hard for him to follow up with that so disappointment for him and a lot of us that wanted to see him down here.  Old School has still been going to the regional monthly meetings we have in Sacramento and that’s where I learned about this potential last RFTW ride for him but he’s rehabbing at home and following all the events on Facebook and this web site.  So, a salute goes out to Old School with best wishes for him to be feeling better.  At our last regional meeting, I had the privilege of hearing a little bit about his reason for staying with RFTW after his first run.  Like a lot of Vietnam Vets, the welcome home was not good.  Old School has been riding with RFTW since 2008 which was his FNG year and rode every year until 2019.  I asked him why he rides and he explained “I ride for my Captain, David Watson who is on The Wall.  Captain Watson we lost in April of 1969.  I ride for myself and my own healing I found within the RFTW group.  Before the mission, I wouldn’t talk about Vietnam, wouldn’t wear anything that associated me with being a Vietnam Vet, and after my FNG year in 2008, getting to the wall, having riders surround me, I could finally shed tears, shed the grief, get rid of the guilt, and then I found a family like no other family, within this mission.”  Taking this last ride will give Old School a chance to have closure with the mission itself and suddenly; not be there.  “It’s also great that my son-in-law and daughter have been riding for some years now and are continuing the family tradition as they carry on with our family.”  I also asked if he had any words of wisdom and his answer was on point for the first day of this great mission.  “Stay hydrated!  That and connect within the mission.”  “I stay on Facebook only because of the mission.  It allows me to keep up with, keep track of friends and family”

Day 1:  From my perspective, it was a great day, a fun day and a very interactive day.  I spent the day with the Fuel Team.  They needed some help today and I was honored to spend the day as a member of the team.  That is a great way to meet many of the riders and learn where they are from and joke around with them.  The fuel team has a short window of time to grab some hydration drinks, maybe a quick snack and then get back on the road to make it to the next fuel stop to have the station ready for the main pack to come in and be fueled up for the next leg.  We can fuel up the whole pack in less than 20 minutes.  We usually cordon off 8 pumps for this process and have 2 bikes on each side of the pump.  As one finishes filling up, the pump handle is passed to the bike next to him or her and as they start filling up, the first bike pulls forward and another pulls up in it’s place, get the gas cap off and is ready for their turn.  It goes pretty fast and the pumps are never hung up until all the bikes are fueled.  We had a good lunch of BBQ burgers at the Blythe Colorado River Fairgrounds.  Again, everywhere we go, these locals spend a lot of their time raising money for this event, getting all the arrangements made, food prepped and then cooked freshly for us!  There are so many volunteers of all ages that are helping, it just warms your heart.  Thank You Blythe!

And then, we continued on to Casa Grande.  First I have to point out that there were many over passes as we get close to these towns, some we’re not even stopping at but folks are out there with flags and family members waving and encouraging us on!  It’s pretty cool.  I can’t take pictures of those but F-Stop (Jerry Lanier), our official photographer is usually stopping and taking pictures of these groups and at so many other events we are honored with.  He will get these picture up on his SmugMug web site in time after the run is over so please come back to RFTW.US and check all these great pics after the run.  Dinner in Casa Grande, AZ.  The Elks lodge goes all out to welcome us, feed us and make us feel very much at home.  I think maybe they have more fun than we do.  And, it’s not all fun, we were presented with a reading about the missing man table.  It’s very poignant and reminds us again of why we ride.  We heard stories of soldiers who became part of the 22.  The 22 soldiers that take their lives daily because of depression and PTSD.  There are often reminders that some of the signs are right in front of us and we don’t see because we’re too close or not understanding the full impact of what’s going on with them.  They fed us a great roast beef au jus sandwich and dinner salad.  A very full day with full bellies afterwards.

Thank You for reading our stories.

Boots

USAF ’72 – ’75

Mission Statement

To promote healing among ALL veterans and their families and friends, to call for an accounting of all Prisoners of War and those Missing in Action (POW/MIA), to honor the memory of those Killed in Action (KIA) from all wars, and to support our military personnel all over the world.

Just a quick note that we are experiencing some minor technical difficulties getting the Southern Route Sit Reps posted. We should have this resolved today. Thank you for your patience.