Today, we learned about Honor.  The lesson came in many forms.

Some were expected, some were not.  Some were light-hearted, some were somber.

They all had one thing in common: They were heartfelt and genuine.

Let’s get into our day.

It all started with our morning meeting.  First, we were happy that the weather forecast was warm and sunny instead of cold and wet.  It wouldn’t have mattered one way or another, but we were happy all the same.  We heard our usual talks about the route, safety aspects, road hazards, and all of the other important physical aspects for the day.  During the “hand signal” demonstration, “Pipes” swears that he was showing how to act if you need to “tap out” of the pack for any reason.  To me, it looked like he was dancing to “Staying Alive!”  It was a light-hearted moment about a serious issue.

We finished our meeting, as usual, with the reading of a biography of a Missing In Action soldier.  This Man had been heard on the radio, pleading for help after he had been wounded while trying to rescue two of his buddies.  When the radio went silent, all three were presumed dead, so an air strike was called in on their position to annihilate the Vietcong enemy.  The next day, the bodies of two soldiers was found, but NOT that of the one who was on the radio.  He is still listed as Missing in Action.  This was a somber reminder of duty, sacrifice, and loyalty to a fellow soldier.  It is the epitome of Honor.

It was then time to roll, with a full Presidential Escort again, from the Officers of the Amarillo Police Force.  They led us out of the city during morning rush hour traffic, and made it look and feel effortless.  I know that they enjoy doing this, because you get to ride fast and do some fun maneuvering.  Our Road Guards got to do what is called a “bump and go” tactic, which is where the Police Officer stops the traffic on the on-ramp, and then a Road Guard pulls up behind him to take the Officers place.  The Road Guard is thusly “deputized” or at least authorized to legally hold the traffic.  It is an amazing maneuver to watch, and even more fun to do!  As we reached the City limits and the end of their jurisdiction, the Amarillo Police Motor Officers lined up their motorcycles and saluted our Midway Route Riders!  They showed great honor to us as we continued our Mission.

Our first fuel stop was in the little town of Memphis, Texas.  This is a nice little town on the edge of a major Texas highway.  It is always busy, but we certainly made it a lot more busy.  As I was talking to a few of the Memphis Police Officers and a Texas Highway Patrolman, they remarked on how chaotic it looked, but they could definitely see the intricate patterns in our system.  They were suitably impressed!

From here, there was a “breakout” group that needed to get ahead of the pack before they got to our next stop.  On the way, I was told to fall in with the Road Guards for the next 120 miles.  Oh Boy!  I get to play with these Guys again!  Riding side-by-side across the rolling plains of Texas and Oklahoma is fun!  Again, I am amazed at how good our Road Guards are, and honored that they would trust me to ride within their ranks again.  Somewhere along the route, I got to have a little fun with my Friend Ryan Michael Long.  “Pipes” is well known for pulling up next to someone as they roll down the road and innocently reach over to hand them a butterscotch candy.  As more and more Road Guards were dispatched to various exits, I found myself moving forward in the cue until I was riding directly next to Pipes.  I quickly reached into my tank bag, pulled out a butterscotch candy, and handed it over.  Pipes deftly took it from my hand, popped it into his mouth, and smiled!  It’s not very often that anyone gets a chance to do that to Ryan!

Then we reached our major destination for the day.  We arrived at Fort Sill, Oklahoma.  This is an active Military base, with strict access restrictions.  We rolled right in, thanks to the preparations of Col. “Heavy” King.  He had set up all of the access before we got there.  It was kind of cool to watch Him roll up to the Guard Shack, and see the Soldier at the gate first salute him, and then reach out for a rolling high-five!  “Heavy” led us to our meetup location and gave instructions where needed.  He then looked at me and said “Follow Me. Let’s go!”  Okay.  He’s the boss!

We then went on a “rather” quick tour of the base.  I didn’t know where we were going; I was just following our Leader.  Eventually, he stops, looks at me and says “Is this okay?”  Not knowing what he was asking for, I just said “Sure!”  That’s when he said “Have fun!  See you when you get there!”  And with that, he was gone and I was sitting in an active military base, not sure where I was, or what I was supposed to be doing.  So, I got off the bike, grabbed a camera, and just waited!  About 10 minutes later, I heard on the CB radio that the main Pack would be coming down the road in just a few minutes.  I found a decent place for some photos, then followed the Pack back through the base.  It was quite an honor for me, when one of the Military Police Officers walked up to me and asked if I was with “Colonel King.”  As soon as I confirmed this, the Officer started telling me how excited everyone was for us to be visiting today.  They were proud to host us, and he told me to just do whatever I needed to do to get the photos that I wanted.

Once the Pack entered the base, I followed them to our rendezvous location.  I wasn’t there long, because I knew that our Route Coordinator had been invited to a special ceremony at the “Chief’s Knoll” in the middle of Fort Sill.  This is the sacred burial mound for the Kiowa, Comanche, and Apache Tribes.  They wanted to honor Run For The Wall for what we are doing.  The Tribal Leaders offered prayers for our safety and presented a ritual offering of water and tobacco as a blessing to us.  Several songs were sung in our honor, and to pay tribute to all of the Native American soldiers that have served and died for our country.  It was a very moving ceremony. One of the Apache Leaders did throw in a bit of humor when he welcomed us “even though we are on an Army base.”  If you have studied any American History, you can hopefully understand why we all laughed!  After all, the past IS the past, and they are all fiercely proud to be both Native and American Citizens.

We then made our way back to the rest of the Midway Family, for a lunch and more ceremonies.  Every Rider was moved by the songs, both in English and the Native languages.  Songs were sung of Welcome, Patriotism, and a special one to praise our Veterans.  It was quite an honorable afternoon.

Soon, though, it was time for our last one hundred mile ride of the day, to our overnight stop in Shawnee Oklahoma.  Here we had a wonderful dinner, served to us by some of the most gracious and sincere people that I have ever met.  I look forward to visiting with them each year, especially the two sisters that never stop laughing!

We were all welcomed in with open arms and left with full hearts and bellies.  As we were preparing to leave, a sweet little girl named Kylie walked amongst our Riders to offer them a poppy to pin on our lapel.  I don’t know who enjoyed it more, Her or our Riders.

So you see, everything that we did today was centered around a common core of Honor.  From the reading of a biography of a soldier Missing In Action, to the actions of the Police Officers, to the attitude of the Military Police, the “silly” opportunity that I had to pay homage to “Pipes”, and to the warm reception and blessings that we were given by the Kiowa Commanche and Apache Leaders, everything was about Honor.  It was another amazing day!

Cheers!

Jim “Hoofer” McCrain
Midway Route Photographer and SITREP Author

You can see a few of the photos that I took HERE.  Be sure to check back after the 2024 Run has ended, as I will be uploading hundreds more photos once I get back home.

Mea Culpa!

I have to start off this SITREP with a huge apology to all of the Midway Route Riders.  Yesterday, I ended our SITREP by saying we would have a “splash of fun.”  I was referring to our annual lunch stop at the “Blue Hole.”   I hadn’t checked the forecast when I wrote that, and it rained ALL DAY today!  So I will own it!  I made the mistake!  I will try not to do that again!

Okay, you may have figured it out: we got wet today.  It was raining pretty hard when we woke up, but at least it was a balmy 44 degrees.  (Sarcasm, just in case you didn’t get it.)  Yep.  Cold and wet, for most of the day.  Just when we thought we were getting out of it, another band of “bad” weather would roll in.  But the Midway Route doesn’t stop just for some cold rain.  We are on a Mission, and we will keep to our schedule.

“The weather started getting rough.  Our tiny bikes were tossed.  If not for the courage of our fearless Road Guards, the Midway might get lost.”

Okay, it wasn’t that bad.  It just seemed like it for a few miles.  Our Road Guards were amazing, though.  Even when we had (very) limited visibility, they were still out there doing their jobs of keeping us on time, on schedule, on the right roads, and keeping us safe from other traffic.

The work that these dedicated volunteers do is so hard to describe.  They are the first up and (almost) the last to bed.  They know every turn and exit on our entire route, and have an incredible system for dispatching an RG to a specific exit or ramp.  If you are listening on the CB radio, you might hear our Road Guard Captain say something like “Psycho … 239.”  What he has just done is tell Psycho (that’s his road name) to go and control exit or ramp number 239. Or you might hear him say something about a “push team.”  These are the Road Guards that help “push” merging traffic over to the leftso that we can safely merge onto the highway.  If you hear someone announce “Mazz is back in the nest.”, that simply means that Mazz has finished his assignment, made his way back up to the front of the pack (not an easy feat in itself), and has rejoined the pack of Road Guards, ready to be deployed again.

Each member of our Road Guard Team is an extremely accomplished Rider.  They take advanced rider courses every two years, at a minimum.  Some take that course and more, EVERY year.  We have some “Certified Escort Riders” as well.  That is a WHOLE other level of professional riding.  I have been honored to ride as a Road Guard for a couple of years, and I have seen these Guys and Gals in action. They are simply the best at what they do that you will ever find.  They are also pretty nice people, as well!  Every time I get to meet up with them , whether out front of the pack or at an intersection, I am amazed at how they handle each situation, and even more happy that I get to “play with them.”  The nicest thing that they have said to me this year was yesterday, when they caught up to me right before our last fuel stop.  I heard “Pipes” on the radio saying “Hey!  We found a Hoofer!”  Thanks Pipes!  That made my day!

Y’all be sure to go hug a Road Guard tomorrow.  Tell them that Hoofer sent you!

But let’s get back to the rain again, just for a little while.  As cold as it was, and as miserably wet as some of us felt, I overheard a couple of Riders saying that at least we could get inside, warm up, and dry off every once in a while, unlike the POWs that we are riding for.  That simple statement made me forget my own discomfort for a bit, and reflect on what that rider had just said.  WE ARE lucky.  What do you think some of those POWs would have given to be on a motorcycle riding through wet cold rain, with the promise of warmth, safety, and food waiting for them?  How could we complain about such a temporary affliction?  We KNOW there will be an end to our “suffering.”  They did not.  I was so proud of our Riders for the attitude they displayed today.

And it wasn’t just the weather that has been mentioned.  A few days ago, our lunch stops were being discussed.  One Rider asked what we would generally be served, and without any hesitation, someone said “It doesn’t matter.  It will be the best meal that you have ever had!  And if it isn’t up to your liking, just think of what a POW might have to eat.”

These kind of conversations happen on a daily basis, with every Rider that I have encountered.  No matter what is going on, someone always brings it back to our Mission of honoring, serving, and remembering our Veterans and POW-MIAs.  The Midway Route Riders really focus on our Mission, and don’t hold back on their emotions or dedication.  I am so pleased to be a (small) part of this group!

But after all of that riding in the rain, it was time for that “splash of fun” that I mentioned yesterday.  Our lunch stop is at the “Blue Hole” in Santa Rosa, New Mexico.  This watering spot is an 81-foot deep spring fed pool that has a beautiful blue color.  One of our Midway Route traditions, started by a Road Guard named “Gear Shift” and faithfully carried on by “Mazz” is to jump into the pool, wearing full Road Guard gear!  As an enthusiastic crowd of four looked on, Mazz took the plunge!  Traditions: Check!  Good job Mazz!  I am proud of you!  (I would have joined him, but I was carrying a bunch of cameras, you know, and I didn’t want them to get wet.  That’s my story and I’m sticking to it!)

It wasn’t long after lunch that the sun broke through the clouds and it turned out to be a pretty nice afternoon.  In fact, it was so nice that when we stopped at our last fuel stop for the day, we went in for ice-cream!  The Midway Route Riders LOVE their ice-cream!  We actually go to several places that serve up really good and big scoops.  So all of you FNGs, if you see the Road Guards hurrying into a store en-masse, follow them!  There may be something yummy waiting for you!  And to show you their generosity, a couple of them threw down some money today and started a tab for anyone that wanted a cone.  I’m telling you, our Road Guards are the BEST!

Outside of the “Russel’s Travel Center” on Route 66 (just outside of Glenrio, NM), there is always a beautiful Family of Veterans waiting to greet us.  They give us (more) ice-cream, some flags, bandanas, small medical kits, sunscreen, water, hats, shot glasses, and a score of other little items, just to thank US for making this Mission.  They do all of this from their own pocket, and don’t accept anything other than a hug as “payment.”  It is WE who should be thanking THEM, and we do!  I look forward to seeing them every year.

Eventually, we made it to our final stop of the day: Amarillo, Texas.  (I always breathe just a little better under my big Texas Skies!)  The Christian Heritage Church puts on a spread that is unrivaled!  Smoked and BBQ’d ribs, smoked chicken, cole-slaw, potato salad, apple cobbler, sweet tea!  Oh, I am making myself hungry again!  But as good as it is (and trust me, it is GOOD!), that isn’t the best part of the evening.  There is always some sort of a small ceremony or presentation to keep our minds focused.  This evening, we heard a beautiful rendition of our National Anthem by an equally beautiful Young Lady.  She didn’t screech out the words, or try to impress us with some amazing range of high notes.  She just sang it the way it was intended, and let her angelic voice wash over us.  The roar of applause when she was finished wasn’t just for the Anthem, but for her respect of that anthem.  She didn’t need any vocal gymnastics to impress us.  (But I bet she COULD hit those notes.  She was very good.)  She also sang “Amazing Grace” at the end of our evening.  It was so nice to hear.

Part of the presentation was to hear a few words from a “Gold Star” Family member.  Donna Hogue lost her Husband in Vietnam back in the late 1960’s.  She has dedicated her life to making sure that other Gold Star families don’t have to go through the same anguish that she did, by becoming an advocate for Family rights.  All of the Gold Star Family members that I have met seem to k now her, and they hold her in the highest esteem.

So what did she do for us this evening?  She had made a quilt that she said could be given to someone, or used as a prize for a raffle, or anything that we wanted to do with it.  She had barely gotten the words out of her mouth when a bidding frenzy started!  Donna’s quilt brought in $450 dollars in less than a minute!  Ms Hogue, I think you could start taking orders for these!  Thank You for the beautiful quilt donation, but more importantly, thank you for your sacrifices throughout the years.  Your husband, and YOU, will not be forgotten.

And with that, Folks, our day has ended.  There was more that happened, I am sure, but I don’t have those stories to tell you yet.  (The Outreach Team has been very busy!  I may have to dedicate an entire SITREP to what they are doing!)  If you would, please say a prayer for good weather and safe travels for all of our fabulous Midway Route Riders.  We still have a long way to go.

Cheers!

Jim “Hoofer” McCrain
Midway Route Photographer and SITREP Author

Follow this link to see some photos from today’s journey.  Be sure to check back after the Run for more!

Making miles and leaving smiles!

Today was a good day!  It started out with some fine, cool temperatures and clear skies.  Who could ask for better riding weather?  (Okay, I thought it was fine.  At about 50 degrees, some people thought it was cold, but I liked it!)

Our day actually began with a “morning meeting.”  This is when we discuss the days itinerary, any weather concerns, upcoming road conditions and how we will handle them, and a review of the hand signals that we use while riding.  We also introduce any guest that might be visiting, and ask all of our FNGs to come up front so we can welcome them into our Family again.  (We actually do that to them every day!)  We also like to recognize any Active Duty personnel, including Reservists,  that might be joining us, as well as Blue Star Families.  Each of these groups gets a round of applause.  But then we honor our Gold Star Families with a moment of silence.  There is no applause for a Family that has lost a loved one in the service of our country.  The moment of silence seems much more fitting.

When we finally started up our bikes and got out on the road, I lead a group of Ambassadors and Outreach Team Members over to Winslow, Arizona.  We were such a fine site to see!

Our reason for this little excursion was officially to Thank the people of Winslow for allowing us to parade through their town.  This was a first for the Midway Route, and I was so glad to see it.  You see, there are several nice little souvenir shops right there at “Standing on a Corner” park.  One of them is owned by a very ardent Patriot.  He has been known to buy hundreds of American Flags and give them out to the Winslow Citizens, free of charge, for the Fourth of July and other patriotic holidays.  I have been stopping into his store every time that I ride through Winslow.

For others, the stop was kind of a “pilgrimage” to recapture memories of their younger days.  (If you don’t understand the fascination with Winslow, please listen to the song “Take it Easy” by the Eagles.  This song was an anthem for many of us in years gone by!)  Of course, that is just an excuse to visit.  Another real reason was to see the 9-11 Memorial just on the outskirts of town.  It was just a really cool side-trip!  We like to have fun when we can!

There would be more fun to come, as we were heading to Milan Elementary School for lunch.  The kids there are really amazing!  They aren’t just growing up in their town, they are being raised as American Patriots!  They are polite, well educated, and enthusiastic.  So enthusiastic that I learned something very valuable today: When you put 300 kids in an auditorium and then add 250 Riders and they are all chanting “USA!  USA!  USA!” it is easy to get exhausted!  And the “noise” level was intense!  I shouldn’t call it “noise” because it wasn’t.  It was pure youthful patriotism, and I liked it!

Immediately after we left the Kids at Milan, we headed to Grants (New Mexico) and laid a wreath at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.  Four of our Riders did a very nice job with the ceremony.  Even on days when we are supposed to just be traveling and having fun, we take the time to do some serious things.

Oh wait!  I forgot something!  Before we got to Milan, at one of our fuel stops, someone asked if I knew a guy Joseph Hudson.  I said “Nope!  But I know a guy that we call Gump!”  Joe and Gump are the same person in reality.  We call him Gump because, just like Forrest Gump, he got shot in the buttocks in Iraq.  He was also taken Prisoner and held for 22 days!  His story is amazing to hear.

Anyway, I was told that there were two people in the store that were there with Gump when he was wounded and captured.  I immediately went over to meet them, just to find myself face-to-face with Gump himself!  Imagine my surprise to see my good friend, because he rides with the Southern Route!  Standing next to him were two of his fellow soldiers, both of whom had been wounded and captured with him.  What an honor it was for us to have these former POWs here with us.  They weren’t riding with us, they just drove out to visit!

Remember that I said we like to have fun?  Imagine the look on Shawna’s face when I told her that I had been to her house and seen her in her pajamas!  It took her a minute to remember the time that Gump and I went to visit her, unannounced and unlooked for!  She was such a gracious host!  And she has invited me back for another visit.

Today we also got another look at the organized chaos that we call a fuel stop.  Our first for the day was truly chaotic, not because of anything bad, just the fact that the fuel station was an incredibly busy truck stop.  WE had to wind our way through a maze of trucks, circle around a couple of parking lots, and THEN make our way to the pumps.  I shouldn’t call it chaotic.  It is much more of an orchestrated dance.  (Even though it could look like we have two left feet, to those that don’t know what we are doing.)  We made it through the “ordeal” and even had time to go inside for some donated donuts and coffee.

Have you noticed that I have said “donated” several times already?  We use that term because the items aren’t “free.”  Someone had to pay for them, but then they give them to us.  We like to thank them by using the term donated.  It reminds us that there is a cost to everything, even if it isn’t to us.

Our last stop of the day was Thunderbird Harley Davidson in Albuquerque.  You know where it is: just go down the highway, curve left onto another interstate, make your way through the rush-hour traffic, and then … … What happened to all of the traffic?  The roads were completely empty!  The side roads had cars stacked up, all wanting to get on the highways.  The oncoming traffic was at a standstill.  But our side of the roads were completely devoid of any vehicles.  Except for the twenty-eight motorcycle officers, six police cruisers, and an untold number of other service vehicles that were giving us a “Presidential Escort.”  It was an amazing site to see and experience!

And I had a very nice surprise.  I got to experience this escort from the very front line, as one of the leading positions of the Missing Man Formation!  When I was asked by “10-a-See”, our Route Coordinator, if I would like to ride next to him at the front of the Formation, I immediately said YES!  It is ALWAYS an honor to be a part of the Missing Man Formation, but with a Presidential Escort, it was even more meaningful.  The people stopped on the side of the road had no idea what was going on, I am sure.  But WE did, and just like that moment of silence that we gave for our Gold Star Families this morning, the empty highways just seemed to make our Formation a little more poignant.  I was able to put down my cameras for a few miles, and reflect on the names of so many Men that never made it back home, their families that have become as dear as my own family, and the sacrifices made by the comrades of the former POWs that we visited just a few hours earlier.  Thank You, Don King, for giving me that honor.

Some of our group had a different destination for the evening.  Three of our Platoons, plus the Ambassador and Outreach Teams, had dinner at the local VFW hall.  The guest of honor was a 99-year old Veteran of World War II, Korea, and the Berlin Airlift.  He served in the Navy, Army Air Corps, and Air Force.  I wasn’t there to hear his stories, but I am hoping that some of the people that did meet him can relate what he said to them.  They must be bursting with pride to have met such an amazing American Hero!

See?  It was a very good day!

Tomorrow will be another long day of riding, with just a “splash” of fun.  Tune in tomorrow to find out what I am talking about!

Cheers!

Jim “Hoofer” McCrain
Midway Route Photographer and SITREP Author

Follow this link to see a few photos from todays journey.  And come back once the Run is over.  I will upload several hundred more for each day!

06:30.  Location: A large parking lot in Ontario, California.  A bugle sounds “Call to the Colors.”  Immediately, all conversations stopped, 250+ Riders and 100 or more visitors turned to the sound, and rendered honors to our Flag.  As soon as the call ended, everyone quickly moved forward towards the stage.  The National Anthem was played and we said the Pledge of Allegiance to our Flag.  Announcements were made, Dignitaries and RFTW Board of Directors were introduced.  Plans for the day were discussed, and then the Riders broke into their individual Platoons for further instructions.  Minutes later, engines were started and the bikes moved out.  As they passed underneath a fifty-foot American Flag, Run For The Wall Midway Route 2024 was finally underway.

As we rode through the streets of Ontario and approached the highway, I wondered what was going through the minds of our FNGs.  (Fine New Guys/Gals.)  I remembered the first time that I rode underneath that flag, a dozen years ago.  I was nervous, felt a little out-of-place, unsure if I was ready for this “adventure” both physically and mentally.  Only time would tell.

As the morning progressed, I started to feel more comfortable with the close formation riding, but not really comfortable enough to enjoy it.  (That would come later.)  As I watched the Road Guards work in a carefully orchestrated dance with their machines, I realized just how much time and thought had been put into keeping us safe.  The Road Guards worked in conjunction with the local Police force, controlling intersections and on-ramps so that our “pack” wouldn’t have to stop or worry about traffic congestion.  These people that I had been getting to know for only a couple of days suddenly took on a completely different attitude and demeaner.  Listening to their conversations and instructions of the CB radio was amazing.  The professionalism and dedication of the Road Guards quickly became apparent.

An hour into the ride, we made a detour onto an active Marine Base, and paraded through the middle of it.  Again, the streets were lined with spectators.  But this time, they were in uniforms and fatigues.  I was astonished that our Active Duty Military would be so excited to see us roll through their base.  But there they were, cheering just as loudly as our other supporters had.

But all of a sudden, we had left the Base and were on an original section of the famous Route 66.  We wound through the country side for a few miles, undulating up and down as the road followed the natural contours of the terrain, just as it was before the big interstate highways were created.  “This is kind of fun” was my thought … until we got to a fuel stop.

That’s where a whole new type of organized chaos appeared.

The carefully constructed platoon system was broken down in a matter of seconds.  People in yellow hats waving big orange flags started directing Riders “randomly” (it seemed) towards various lanes at a fuel pump.  As soon as I got stopped, I was told to turn off my bike, open my tank, and pump my own gas.  A nozzle was then handed to me, directly from the tank of the bike next to me.  Before I had even started pumping the fuel, that guy was gone and someone else pulled up in his place.  When my tank was full, the nozzle was taken away from me and I was told to “start it up and pull forward.”

That’s when I met the folks wearing blue hats.  They had the same orange flags, but now I was being directed to a “staging area.”  Before I knew it, I had been directed to a spot that had been reserved specifically for my Platoon.  And then the chaos was over.  I could now walk to the hydration trailer where a guy wearing a white hat handed me a bottle of water and a bag of chips.  He smiled at me and said something like “Well FNG, what do you think so far?”  I mumbled something about “This is crazy!”  And then we both smiled.

This morning, I saw that same “deer in the headlights” look on the faces of the 2024 FNG group.  I heard them talking amongst themselves, saying almost exactly the same things that I had said so many years ago.  And I saw them smile and heard them laugh. The anxiety of the Run was quickly fading away.  By the time we had done this two more times for the day, these FNGs were riding and operating like professionals.  It was fun to watch them progress throughout the day.

But that was just the physical part of the day.  Remember me saying something about being mentally ready?  That aspect of the Run popped up very quickly.  In fact, immediately!  Run For The Wall does not move qn inch with those bikes unless we have a Missing Man Formation ready.  The whole point of our Mission is to “ride for those that can’t” and to provide support, healing and comfort to the Families of our Missing in Action and Killed in Action personnel.  We do this with the Missing Man Formation.

The MMF consists of six Riders.  Two in the front, two in the back, and two in the middle.  Except that one of those two middle positions is empty.  The empty space represents that sixth rider, that physically cannot be with us.  We guard that empty space zealously.  No one enters it, walks through it, rides over it, or moves into it, even when we are rolling down the highway.  The space may seem empty, but the memories of a Fallen Friend or Family Member fill it in the hearts and minds of all of the Riders.  Indeed, before the pack begins to move, our Missing Man Coordinator announces over the airwaves the name of our Missing Man, and a little information about them.

The point of honor, that middle position next to the empty space, is emotionally draining.  Every Rider talks about how hard it is to ride their bike with eyes filled with tears.  They mention that thoughts from years gone by, memories lost in time, come flooding back, sometimes with a visceral vengeance that makes the Rider physically break down sobbing.  But in a moment of peace, the sorrow is lifted, and the good memories are what is left.  Healing enters the Rider, followed by joy.  These emotions are felt and shared by each and every Rider.  Because we know that “This is why we Ride.”

Say Their Names!

To help the Riders deal with these emotions, we have a full Chaplain Corp.  There is one Chaplain that rides in the Formation every day.  He/She is there to offer comfort to the Escort Rider.  The Escort Rider is offered small tokens to help them remember both the pain and the joy, because without one, there could not be the other.  For each of the four Run For the Wall routes, the Missing Man Chaplain has a donated “Military Bible Stick” for each Escort Rider.  This is a small MP3 player with a narrated version of the New Testament Bible on it.  The Rider doesn’t have to take it if they don’t want to.  But very few ever refuse it.  In fact, it has been reported to me that some Riders have stated that they aren’t believers, but they then gratefully accept the “stick” and start listening to it.  They also start talking to their fellow Riders about their experiences, drawing strength from the fact thqt others have faced the same sort of horrors and losses.  The Riders heal each other!

And I saw that happen today, as well.

Folks, this is what Run For the Wall is all about.  We help each other deal with difficulties, traumatic experiences, loneliness, PTSD, the loss of a friend or family member, that sense of abandonment that many Veterans feel.  In our Midway Route Family, they find kindred spirits that truly want to help out a Brother or Sister, because they just might need some help themselves.  For those of us that aren’t Veterans, we get to see the healing process take place, and are welcomed into the Family just as much as the Veterans are.  The Civilians/Patriots offer proof that our Country hasn’t abandoned our Military, and that their fellow countrymen DO care.  We are all a part of this amazing process.

Once our FNGs have heard the names of our Missing a time or two, and have started talking to each other about their experiences, a change quickly starts to come over the entire group.  Remember how earlier I called this a “ride” and an “adventure”?  By the end of the first day, every fully understands that it is so much more than that: We are on a Mission.  And that is how I will refer to Run For The Wall from now on.

I want to take a moment to Thank all of the wonderful people and organizations that support us in our Mission.  We get fed.  We get some donated fuel.  We get hugs.  People line the overpasses and city streets to cheer us as we quickly ride by.  We have Law Enforcement escorts.  We don’t do this Mission on our own.  We COULDN’T do this Mission on our own.  Thank You, each and every one, for what you do for the Midway Route of Run For The Wall.

Well, it’s late, and I need to get some sleep.  I have looked at our itinerary for tomorrow, and it is going to be busy.  There will be a lot of miles to cover, a lot of people and places to visit, and more camaraderie to enjoy and participate in.  Let’s hope that all those wonderful FNGs get a good nights rest.  We have more to come!

Cheers!

Jim “Hoofer” McCrain
Midway Route Photographer and SITREP Author

Follow this link to see a few photos from todays journey.  And come back once the Run is over.  I will upload several hundred more for each day!