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Central Route 2017 – Day 2 – Williams, AZ to Gallup, NM

Wow, what a day! We only had 200+ miles to go today and it was an easy run. When we awoke in Williams there was frost on everything, including our bike’s seats and windshields and the sun took it’s sweet time melting it off.

First morning of the raffle rouser doing the 50/50 and Dallas and company raised about $800.00 for the Rainelle  school.

Let me here address the FNG pins for a moment. FNG stands for Funny New Guy (or Gal) and it is given to everyone on their first sign up and it is to be worn where easily seen by all. It is a ticket to many advantages such as lots of hugs by “old timers”,  some times a pass to the head of the chow line and it is a symbol of great triumph when you get to the wall the first time. When there, get someone close to you (perhaps a platoon leader who put up with you the whole way) to in pin it and turn it upside down. It becomes a badge of honor and you will have completed what many people never get the chance to do even once, so enjoy.

One of my jobs as sit rep, I think, is to bring you stories that give you some insight into the “spirit” of the RUN. You can get all the facts about where we went and the places we visited and the miles we travel from the web site. So, one thing you can’t get is Run Life stories.

Here are a few: I was almost overwhelmed today as we headed out of Williams this morning thinking about all the people involved in this event that are really special people. On the CB radio we hear road names like Grizz, Dadbo, Smoke, Sunshine,EZ, Bones and Mrs. Bones, Tunnel Rat, Pretty Boy, and many others. These are just a few of the ones who make this RUN happen and they do it all so easily that it “looks” like a well oiled machine, although we know it is not always that way. These are dedicated people who give of their lives not just for a few weeks but some all year long to make this thing happen. Selfless people who would rather see us have an enjoyable time than be on their own pursuits. I think that is really amazing and worthy of our applause!!!!!!!!!!!

Our breakout platoon stopped at the Winslow 911 memorial just south of Winslow. It was sobering for me to see. Twisted metal that came from our buildings and a flag that flew over the Pentagon. It was a stark reminder of what was done, of the high price that was paid and is still being paid in soldier’s blood, families and certainly will be paid in the future. It is why we can never forget. We have a great country and we don’t need to apologize for it and those who want to tear it down must be stopped.

On to Holbrook, only about 40 miles and oh the great joy we had watching the children wave and get excited as we drove by. There were about 3 schools that had let there kids out to stand along the street or fences and we were able to connect in some small way. Our Ambassador platoon does more than just ride by as they go into the schools and set up times to talk to the kids about the wars and the prisoners that are not home and when it is done, it makes a great impact. See, here is another example of dedication, Sonja and Eric Ammon are dedicated leaders of the Ambassador platoon, who plot and plan all year just to be able to meet with the kids if only for a few minutes. This is what makes this RUN special and what helps make this country great!

As we were getting ready to go inside and have our lunch, a lady (Collene)  leaned over the wall outside and told me that last year when we were at this location, she was in the cemetery next door burying her brother, Donald Martinez who was a marine and she has another brother, Ronald Martinez. What she really appreciated is that some of our group last year left the meeting room and went next door to put some special flags on his grave. I think that is pretty cool. I am glad for the moment that God brings us to that I can meet people like her.

The last stop is Gallup NM. We were greeted for over 8 miles of dear people along the sides of the road that were waving flags and cheering for our men and women. We were also escorted into town by NM State motorcyclist and we will also have them for all day tomorrow. They really move quickly when they need to and me thinks it is somewhat of a game for them.

Gallup, NM. is a favorite for many of the riders because of the Navajo Nation’s presentation for us. The program was put on by the Black Creek Gourd Society. The Navajos believe the warrior is the top of the ladder in their world. In English warriors translates to soldiers and the Navajos show and incredible respect for the Veterans on the Run For The Wall. At one part of the program they ask the riders to join them. It is quite a site to see 200 bikers in leathers doing their dance. Comical maybe but oh so very sincere. They show us a level of respect that few people understand. I dare say if you were not there we could not explain it. They are very serious about the concept of our soldiers and their warriors are one. (Last paragraph by Dan Koster)

Okay, until tomorrow, happy trails!





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Central Route 2017 – Day 1 – Ontario, CA to Williams, AZ

May 17, 2017. The first fay of our journey and it was a great one. Beautiful weather to start before the sun came up in Ontario and we were crowding into the parking lot just north of the Radisson. The excitement was electric and all of us were ready to get started as we renewed old memories of past RUNs and looked forward to this one. We left the site at 8:00 just after the presentations and a brief fly over showing us the missing man formation. Harry “Attitude” Steelman,  gave his last speech as President as part of the ceremonies and presented to us the current BoD members. After a short time of prayer we were off like a herd of turtles. We quickly made our way to Barstow and then on to Ludlow and on to Needles. The weather was very good with a high of about 85 degrees, which is much better that the usual 100 degree heat. The people of Needles came out in force in their usual hospitality and had a good nutritious meal and some ice cream and cookies to top it off.  We had a  performance by the Fort Mojave Tribal band. Dr. Edward Paget, M.D. is mayor of the City of Needles and he and others made us feel very welcome and appreciated. I think the thing that we appreciate the most is of course the great food but the genuine hospitality is very treasured by all of us.

We covered a little over 400 miles today and we arrived in Williams Arizona at about 7:00 PM, doing a short parade for the great people of Williams and then on to the Hall. We were cold and very hungry and their great homemade food really hits the spot. Two ladies that were part of the Ladies Legion Auxiliary were Dorrie and Katrina.

See you tomorrow, Roger “Pops” Hageman



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Central Route 2017 – Day 0 – Ontario, CA

This last day before the RUN has been one filled with meetings, meetings and more meetings, so necessary for a smooth operation. Just to list a few; staging, road guards, platoon leaders, ambassadors, FNG’s, hydration teams, cooks, well maybe not cooks yet, but someday. In the past years that I have been on this RUN it always leaves on time and always arrives in Washington DC within an hour or two of its appointed arrival, keeping mind that it is all 100% volunteer with no paid staff or leadership. Amazing but maybe not so amazing when you look a little deeper into who makes up this dedicated group. Many vets and many non-vets, like myself, young and mostly older men and women who work together as “fighting” unit just to make it possible for anyone who joins, to be able to make the entire RUN and experience the healing and blessings that take place. It is really an amazing thing that cannot be adequately put into words or described. I will do my very best to place you here each day but my efforts will fail because it is one of those events that “you just have to be there” to really appreciate it.
We will be having the Marine band here later in the day and the RUN dinner which takes place at 5:00 PM.
In one of the leadership meetings today, a former Tail Gunner Richard Young was honored by his former platoon. Richard passed away last October and his two daughters and one son came today and received a standing ovation from all the leaders and his former platoon. They were given new platoon hats with the inscription on them that read, “In Honor of Richard Yong”. His family members; Thomas Young, Alisa Young and Kimberlee Chatigny.

Another exciting event that happened tonight was the RFTW Dinner. So many were present at the meeting and many received plaques in honor of their service on the Board of Directors and other service to RFTW. One event that stood out was the honoring of Ken Kraft who was an injured Iraq soldier. He was given a really cool Road Glide Harley made into “Harley Trike” by Thunderstruck, a bike build company from Oregon. Many, many people donated the needed funds and also through a lottery sponsored by Jenny and J Graftner and some like Mike Cash donated the funds necessary to complete the build. Ken was very excited and very thankful and has committed himself to be ready to make the RUN next year. We very much look forward that Ken, May God Speed!

One more event that I know you will appreciate is my happen chance to meet this lovely lady, Lona D. Bader. She is a GOLD STAR MOM who lost her son Staff Sgt. Daniel Bader on 11/2/03 in Fallujah Iraq. She also has a son, Retired Captain David Bader. Lona will be traveling along with the :Mid Route”. We thank you Dear Lona for the great sacrifice that was made on our behalf and for his great country.

Until Tomorrow,
Carry on! Enjoy the pictures.
Roger Hageman



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Central Route 2017 – Pre Run Post

Before the big day!

Hello Run For the Wall riders. This is Roger “Pops” Hageman, Sit Rep writer for 2017. I have been given the honor of following along on this ride across the United States of America, and hopefully I can give you a small glimpse into this incredible journey. This is the 29th year that veterans and non-veterans alike start in Ontario, California and ride motorcycles to Washington D.C. We will arrive the Friday before Memorial Day where we will conduct several ceremonies at “The Wall”, a laying of a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and a group picture on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial which marks the end of our Mission. So, hold on to your seat or get a good grip on your handlebars and come along with us and enjoy the ride as we experience the “Greatest Ride in America”. You may contact me at roger.hageman@yahoo.com or rftwsitrep17@gmail.com.

A little about me. I joined the RUN in  2006 and have gone all the way or partially every year except one. It has been a life changing event for me and my son, who is in charge of the 50 50 fund raiser that you will hear every morning. I have served as a platoon leader and assistant leader, ambassador for 4 years and now the sit-rep for the Central Route. .Each day I will feature one or more “People of the Run”. These individuals, among many others, have made significant contributions to the successful operation of Run For the Wall and as they are very important part, I believe you will greatly appreciate them and their contributions. The RUN from my perspective may be different than some others but I will endeavor each day to bring out some highlights as I see them. I hope you will come along with me and that you will enjoy the ride.

Our Mission Statement is:

-To promote healing of 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.

-To support our military personnel all over the world.

Our philosophy is: To strive to maintain a safe, supportive, and private atmosphere in which all participants can reflect and heal on their journey to the Vietnam Memorial in Washington D.C. in hopes that they can return home to a new beginning. And that others who help in this endeavor will have a renewed appreciation for the men and women in uniform and of their sacrifice and commitment to this great America.

Our Goals include:

-Guiding the participants safely across America so that they may find healing, dignity, encouragement, and purpose through the mission of the RUN.

-Educate future generations as to the importance of accountability in wartime actions, emphasizing that no one should be left behind. Each year our Ambassador teams visit schools and share with the pupils the history of and importance of the Veterans in our society.

– To give Riders and America an opportunity to express support and connect with the Veterans and riders of RFTW.

_________

Every year we hear of another soldier from Viet Nam (or even World War II) whose remains have now been identified through the advances in forensic technologies. Imagine the closure that a family would have when their loved one finally comes home. We truly believe that the “noise” we make toward Washington has helped in this endeavor.

So many things happen during The Run that are hard to imagine and harder yet to explain. At a past dinner, two Viet Nam veterans were sitting down to dinner when one looked at the other and said “no way”. Sure enough, the two had fought in Viet Nam 48 years ago and had never seen each other sense only to be going on the Run For The Wall, now together!

Wednesday is the big day! We will stage at 6:30 a.m. and ksu (kick stands up)(except for Can-Am riders) at 8:05. It is the day we have all been looking forward to with great anticipation and excitement.

Roger Hageman

Central Route Sit Rep