Author: Michael Cooper

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Southern Route Day 3, Las Cruces NM to Odessa T

Run For The Wall assembled this morning at Las Cruces American Legion #10. The Legion provided breakfast of scrambled eggs, sausage patties, biscuits and sausage gravy. The coffee was pretty decent as well. After a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance normal announcements were made and the 50/50 drawing held. One of our riders quickly responded to the number called and was making comments of how lucky they were. Then. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . another rider walked to the front and said “I have that same number.” Is there two of the same, no. The quick responder had misread his ticket and he and the rest of us got to start the morning with a good laugh.

We were dismissed by Big Red, saddled up and rode to Las Cruces Memorial Park. After parking 2×2 along the curb we walked to and into the park the the Vietnam section. This park has several Memorials devoted to different conflicts or various groups who have served in war. Along the sidewalk going in I had a little thank me and wanting to shake my hand. She was just so sweet that she also got a hug from me. Asking her Father if it was okay to share her with our RFTW family he consented to her picture being posted.

Run For The Wall, meet Ally

Myself, Ally & her Father

Onward into the park. The Legion color Guard presented the colors, RFTW Honor Guard laid a wreath at The Vietnam Memorial. The Legion ended official Ceremonies with a 21 gun salute and a bugler playing taps. We were given time to view the park before KSU. We wee then off on the road again. LEO assistance in Las Cruces is 2nd to none. There was a Police Cruiser, Auxiliary Cruiser or State Police Cruiser at every intersection getting us out of town and safely onto the highway. THANK YOU!!!! to all agencies involved!!

Once on the highway we were headed toward Faben’s and the Fast Trak station for our first fueling of the day. Getting there was not as easy as reading what I just typed!! There was construction plus rush hour traffic plus a few drivers who appeared to not care that we were on motorcycles and vulnerable to their aggressive actions. The Road Guard’s work involved also getting us around I10 being closed just after the end of the construction zone. Our LEO Escort and our Road Guards did a fantastic job as I’m not aware of any incidents involving any Rider.

Outreach separates from the Main Pack

After fueling at Fast Trak the main pack continued on their planned agenda and ended the day at Croosroads Fellowship Church in Odessa where they would meet up with the Outreach Group. Out rode out heading for Pecos TX. We did make a stop for fuel and a Gourmet Meal, eat your hearts out Main Pack. After finishing there we proceeded to Pecos Texas’ Veteran’s Memorial park to meet with the family of CW2 Johnny Mata. Mata was assigned with the 507th Maintenance Company. His group was ambushed near Nasriyah, Iraq. He was returning fire out both sides of his vehicle but eventually was killed in the attack. He was one of eight bodies recovered during the rescue of PFC Jessica Lynch. His sister Rosa  was relentless in her push for a “Veteran’s Park.” She did not stop when they put a small Monument in place that now sits at one end. There are shelters, meandering sidewalks, an early jet fighter elevated on a pole along with beautiful green grass and flower beds. There is a Plaque on a marble base near the plane which is CW2 Mata’s Memorial.

Placing wreath next to Johnny’s Plaque

Welcome Home Bruce

Bruce, todays FNG, served in the Army, he served in Korea, Germany and then back stateside working with Nightstalkers. He was deployed 3 times, once to Iraq and twice to Afghanistan. Bruce had a friend who talked highly about The Run. Bruce finally retired and has joined us this year and has already decided he will be back next year. When asked what has impressed him the most he quickly mentioned fueling and how well it flows.

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

As most of the pack was finishing up at the Elks a group of 16 of us headed out for an outreach to meet Gold Star Parents at The Family Goldstar Memorial in Tuscon AZ. The temp was 64 with sunshine.

Luann Galvin Mother of CW3 Taylor J Galvin who was in Iraq as an Army pilot. He was in a helicopter crash and was fatally wounded.

Skip Moen Father of CW3 Robert “Charlie” Hammett who was in Iraq as a Command and Control Technician and was ofter out in a HumVee. He was killed by an IED.

Marsha Moon Mother of SPC Christopher J Moon who was deployed to Afghanistan as an Army Sniper. He was targeted by the enemy and was killed by a remotely detonated device.

A RFTW wreath was laid, Thank You’s, handshakes, hugs and tears were shared and we then had to say goodbye.

 

We were then off to meet the main pack at the Love’s Truck stop in Benson AZ. We arrived ahead of the pack so we fueled, staged and then came down to watch the pack arrive. I went over to the manager and thanked him for helping us and allowing us to fuel there. He said last year was the first time we stopped there and he had a great deal of concern of how messy everything could be. This year he said as soon as our fuelers and staging arrived he just stepped back and watched as he knew how well oiled a machine fueling is. KUDOS BOTH TEAMS!!!

Our bikes were fueled, now it was time to head to Elks Lodge #2131 in Wilcox AZ to fuel ourselves. We were greeted by many individuals along the street increasing in number as we neared the Lodge. At the Lodge there were many children who wanted handshakes, fist bumps or high 5’s and had handmade cards to give the riders. Lunch was pulled pork, cole slaw and baked beans. Man did that do the trick. Oh yea, and yummy cookies.

Next was the Pilot Truck Stop in Lordsburg NM for fuel. We didn’t stage after fueling but rather rode on over to Elks Lodge #1813 to stage, take a restroom break and grab a snack along with a much needed stop at the hydration trailer.

Leaving Lordsburg we headed for Las Cruces NM to get to Elks Lodge #1119 for dinner. Nearing town we were greeted many supporters on bridges and by an Angel in the form of a New Mexico Army Reserve Lakota helicopter which followed along with us and landed at the Elks just prior to our arrival. Law Enforcement was great and roads were blocked so that we were alone on the roadways once within a couple miles of the Lodge. THANK YOU!!!

Dinner was brisket and sausage rounds with BBQ sauce, baked beans, potato salad, roll with butter and a large variety of sweet deserts. After eating there was a ceremony put on by The Elks and they presented a flag to us to take to The wall for them.

Has anyone noticed how much The Elks as a whole love and care for us?!?

 

Major Michael O’Donnell

I had the privilege of carrying his Bio today. Major O’Donnell was from Milwaukee WI. He was a poet, singer and songwriter along with being a pilot for the US Army in Vietnam. March 24, 1970 he and his Huey crew were sent to extract a long range Recon team. As the helicopter was lifting from the scene it experienced an explosion which killed the Major. Ground examination of the site was impossible due to the heavy enemy presence in the area. A search team discovered remains at the site but there was no identification made until after better forensics were developed. In 2001 the Major was identified. Unfortunately his Father had already passed and his Mother suffered with advanced Alzeimer’s disease. His sibling, an older sister, was the only family present when he was put to rest.

The Southern Route is familiar with Karoni and her daughter Lilian. A poem written by Major O’Donnell touched Karoni’s heart. At ANC when Karoni and Lilian’s father/grandfather was placed to rest Lilian read this poem. It reads as follows,

If you are able Save for them a place inside of you… And save one backward glance When you are leaving for the places they can no longer go… Be not ashamed to say you loved them, though you may or may not have always… Take what they have left and what they have taught you with their dying and keep it with your own… And in that time when men decide and feel safe to call the war insane, take one moment to embrace those gentle heroes you left behind…

 

Story of an FNG

Today I met Charles from Catalina Island CA. Charles served in the Army and his Platoon Sergeant from Fort Carson learned that he had purchased a motorcycle. His Platoon Sergeant told him about RFTW and he decided to check us out. He said he was looking for people who understood what Military life was a knew what he had experienced. Charles joined us in Ontario and is leaving us after tonight as he has to get back to “life.” When asked he said he was impressed by the Patriotism he found that still exists in this country. He was also impressed by how folks, like those right here at the Las Cruces Elks go out of their way to care for us riders. He added that the biggest thing he was impressed with was the organization in RFTW from staging to the pack riding but especially fueling. He also said he was not nervous or overwhelmed with his first fueling as there was ample and accurate direction. I asked if he was coming back next year. This writer believes he will be due to the big smile on his face and the gleam in his eyes while he shared his experience over the last 2 days.

 

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Southern Route Day 1, Ontario CA to Casa Grande

Leaving Ontario it was partly to mostly cloudy with a temperature right at 60. As we departed we had CHP escort just as Midway did yesterday. These Officers are great!! Their Commander told us that they considered their work with us to be a mission, to assure our safety to the Arizona state line.

First stop today was at Shelee’s Travel Plaza located adjacent to Spotlight 29 Casino in Coachella CA. Fueling went well considering it was the first fuel stop for us this year.  Things WILL get better and run like a well oiled machine. Shelee’s offered fresh fruit, fruit filled sweet rolls of some sort all the water and electrolyte drinks we cared to take. Temperature now was in the low 70’s.

On the road again and headed to a stop where we are treated like royalty, Blyth CA. First thing we do when we get into town is fuel at the Valero. After everyone is fueled we then depart for a 2 mile ride to the Colorado River Fairgrounds. Upon entering the shelter we were offered water and electrolyte drinks, much needed, and then our choice of sandwiches and chips. The gentleman who sang the National Anthem for us did a fantastic job and after he was one done myself and many other riders approached him and complimented him on his performance.

Off again and headed to Tonopah AZ to fuel at a Pilot Travel Center. Temp has now reached the upper 70’s. In staging things were made happen to allow Arnie “AMMO” Harmon the ability to shed his trailer and ride in the MMF for Capt. Joseph “Joe” Pirruccello. Capt Pirruccello piloted A1 Skyraiders out of Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Force Base during the Vietnam War. AMMO serviced the planes the Captain was flying. Capt Pirruccello was shot down 12-08-68 over Laos. It was believed at the time he was deceased, body not recovered. The area where the plane went down was home to a large cave complex and there were thoughts that Amercan prisoners could have been held there out of sight of aircraft flying overhead. No American POW’s were returned by Laos at the end of the war. Status was changed ti KIA in 1973.

This leg ended In Casa Grande at the Elks Lodge #1957 who welcome us with open arms. We were again greeting by their members giving us all the refreshing beverages we would take. Inside we were ushered toward their members serving up country fried steak, mashed potatoes with gravy, tossed salad with choice of dressing and warm rolls with butter. The meal really “hit the spot” and it is hard to imagine that any of us left there hungry.

WELCOME HOME JACK

Today I met a Vietnam Veteran named Jack who is from Enterprise UT. Jack explained to me that ever since his return he has “demons in my head.” He went on to explain that he and his wife some years back went to see the traveling Vietnam Memorial Wall and he was unable to approach it. He also said he has been to many Psychiatrists and they have not really helped. In the last several years he has had some health issues and physical injuries which have been a challenge. He then lost his wife suddenly in a bus accident. After losing her, his “Demons” have been back with vengeance.

Jack said he learned about Run For The Wall and the camaraderie within. He is unsure of how this will all unfold but he seems to feel confident in the fellow Veterans around him and how they will understand. Jack is aware that if at any time he needs anything he can reach out to any Chaplain or any fellow Veteran as all are here for the same purpose.