Category: Midway 2018 SitReps

There was a lot happening today. Today is the ride into Riverside National Cemetery (RNC).  There was also supposed to be a presentation by Warrior Pointe to Run For The Wall, but I missed that and didn’t receive any info on how that went.  The meeting for the ride into RNC started at 0830.  All the bikes were lined up along the road ready to head out when time. We had the Pledge of Allegiance which was signed by Alisa and Ashley.  We had nice prayer by Gwyn Frost and all FNGs were welcomed.  Jim “The Mayor” Frost described the ride into RNC and gave us some tips about riding together safely.   Ontario police led the way and we bid them farewell at I-60 heading for RNC.  Traffic was a small issue but not bad and most drivers avoided riders by giving us plenty of room and right-of-way.  We arrived safely and rode through RNC to park near the POW/MIA Memorial.

Jim Frost arranged for several speakers to tell their stories about how conflict has affected their lives.  Peter Young, director of RNC Facilities discussed some of the details of the cemetery.  There are over 300,000 veterans deterred there.  They average 35 burials per day.  They are the busiest National Cemetery in the nation and will soon be the largest National Cemetery in the nation. Several speakers told stories of family members that were left behind as POWs and never returned. Our government has in large part, turned their back and forgotten them.  Part of our responsibility as Run For The Wall members is to bring awareness to the public and demand government accountability for our POWs and MIAs.

The POW/MIA Memorial was designed and created by Lee Millet Jr. Here’s some info about the memorial.  “The Prisoner of War/Missing in Action National Memorial was designated as a national memorial by the U.S. Congress in 2004 through Public Law 108-454. The memorial was dedicated on September 16, 2005. Vietnam veteran Lewis Lee Millett, Jr., sculpted the bronze statue which depicts an American serviceman on his knees with hands bound by his captors. The statue is surrounded by black marble pillars that evoke imprisonment.”

Lee spoke about current POWs condition and how the government has done relatively nothing to determine their status and bring them home. We were moved by the all the talks about POWs left behind.

The Mayor did a great job pulling this mission to RNC together. Run For The Wall is all about getting accountability for all our POWs and MIAs.  James “Gunny” Gregory and Bill Evans began RFTW in 1989 as a mission to bring awareness to the public and the government about our POWs that never returned and still need to be.  We will continue to apply pressure to that effect as long as it takes.

In the afternoon, we were all asked to assemble in the parking lot adjacent to the host hotel for a mandatory meeting.  The First Marine Band played several familiar songs and marches with precision and finesse.  Beautiful stuff.  President Williams spoke to the group as well as each of the Route Coordinators.  There were several plaques presented and then Hard Charger presented the Combat Veteran Bike build.  Sgt Dylan Gray was more than grateful for the amazing new bike he received and he got right on and rode it around the parking lot like he was born to do just that.  What an amazing act of kindness was presented to this combat veteran.  A mode of transportation custom built to match his abilities to operate the bike, unbelievable.  Those responsible for providing this custom motorcycle to Sgt Gray deserve all the applause and kudos they received at the least.

Later all were briefed by our Road Guard Captain Ken Dugas “Six String”.  He told us all what to expect the next day and along the ride.  He went over signals, safety and most every aspect of our trip to Flagstaff, AZ tomorrow.  Following Six String’s brief and a session of questions and answers, all were released to be briefed by their Platoon Leaders.  With all this out of the way, tomorrow should be easier to get on the road together than we did last year.  It begins tomorrow.

“We Ride For Those That Can’t”

Tom “Twotone” Lystrup – Platoon 5 Leader / Midway Route SitRep Writer

I’d appreciate your comments.  For those that have emailed me their comments, my thanks and my love to you all.

lystruptf@gmail.com

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An easy day today.   Many more people arriving.  Many more familiar faces to see and hugs to receive.  I started by collecting gear for my platoon leadership and applying numerous decals to strategic locations on my Harley.  Place decals in the wrong place and folks like our Staging Crew will not be happy.  They need to know what platoon you are in and expect to see your platoon number in basically the same place on all bikes.  I hope we all follow directions.

At our Midway Leadership meeting in the afternoon Bandit gave a very warm brief.  He says this is our run.  It’s for all of us.  Bandit wants us all to make it safely to Washington DC.  We as leadership to help our riders be safe and treat them with respect.  We have no idea the “baggage” they carry.  We should be kind in all our conversations with all our riders. Bandit really cares about all those we meet along the way.  Bandit also would like us to honor our hosts at each venue by sticking around for meals provided and the following presentations and not leaving the route to head directly to the hotel.  Very appropriate stuff I think and just what we all need to do.  Bandit mentioned that our State Coordinators do an amazing job arranging all the details regarding venues where we stop.  They deserve our utmost gratitude and respect for the job they do behind the scenes.  It’s a tiring job that takes many hours of their volunteer time and it’s all devoted to the riders on Run For The Wall.  If you meet a State Coordinator make sure to thank them.  Without their effort we could not make this trip.  Thank you to all our State Coordinators.  You are loved.

Bandit told us our Combat Veteran Sargent Dylan Gray (please forgive me if I misspelled his name) was on the way from the airport.  Our Asst Route Coordinator, Glenn Waggoner quickly left to greet him when he arrived.  When Glenn announced Dylan and his lady and escorted them into the conference room we all stood and cheered.  What a privilege I felt to be in the room as Dylan humbly walked to the front and spoke a few words of appreciation and gratitude.  This is why we ride.  We love our veterans and we love our military.

Tomorrow we have several significant events happening.  Check the Pre-run itinerary.  I’ll just mention a couple.

First Jim “The Mayor” Frost is leading the traditional run to Riverside National Cemetery.  Although this event is primarily for FNGs, all are welcome.  I’ll be going there again.  I have spent many hours traveling in escort with the Patriot Guard Riders to RNC.  It is a marvelous place.  It’s a hallowed place.  There is a feeling of peace and tranquility that cannot be felt many other places.  RNC is the busiest National Cemetery in the United States.  Here is a website where you can find more information about RNC.  https://www.cem.va.gov/cems/nchp/riverside.asp.  If you have not been, you need to go.  The riders meeting is at 0830 and the run departs at 0900.  Usually the line begins along the east curb of the hotel.  There will be Law Enforcement Officer escort.

Second, I’d like to mention something our Board Of Director President, Les Williams talked about at our leadership meeting. It’s called Warrior Pointe.  They have a website https://www.warriorpointe.org/.  It’s worth checking out.  Members from Warrior Pointe will be at the host hotel at 0830 to present a plaque to Run For The Wall for 30 years of riding, honoring and caring for our veterans, military, POWs, MIAs and our KIAs.  If you are not planning to attend the run to RNC, please plan to be there for this presentation.  We need more riders on Run For The Wall.  Veterans like us are not getting any younger.  Les says our hair is not getting any darker, only lighter like his.  I quit cutting my gray hair.  I’m afraid I won’t grow anymore.  Les says that maybe soon we will need to change our logo again to Run For The Walls.  He mentioned that a location across the Reflection Pond from the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall is being considered for the Afghanistan and Iraq conflicts and that maybe soon there will be an additional Wall to Run to.  What a vision.  I can only imagine how RFTW will multiply attendance if veterans from other conflicts begin to think the Run is for them like it has been for us.  The run if for us all.  All need to know that.

“We Ride For Those That Can’t”

Tom “Twotone” Lystrup – Platoon 5 Leader / Midway Route SitRep Writer

I’d appreciate your comments.  For those that have emailed me their comments, my thanks and my love to you all.

lystruptf@gmail.com

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Day –2, Sunday May 13, 2018

Starting a couple of days early, hope that’s okay with all y’all.  Except I don’t have an awful lot to report, but here goes nothing.  I left St. George, UT this morning after saying goodbye to my wife.  She doesn’t ride much, but lets me go, if I complete all the honey-dos on her list, which I did and there weren’t that many.  I called her after church got out.  She said, “You miss me already?”  I said I did.  We talked about everything. My wife asked me if I was rooming with the same friend again this year and I said I was. She asked if I thought he would already be checked in at the hotel with a cold Diet Coke waiting for me like previous years and I said probably.  She laughed.  We both know friends like that are few and far between.  I’m the lucky one.

This post actually started yesterday at Zion Harley Shop in Hurricane, UT.  I went to help with the weekly barbecue.  The Christian Motorcycle Association was there.  They are known for many benevolent activities, one of which is the annual Biker Blessing.  I talked with a lady named Maria and I mentioned that on this same day in the town I moved to Utah from, the Biker Blessing was being conducted so I would miss it.  Maria indicated that her husband Phil could help me, so I went and talked with him.  I told Phil about Run For The Wall, basically being a long ride across the country offering healing to all riders and promoting awareness to POWs and MIAs from all wars.  He indicated he would be happy to offer a blessing for me.  He proceeded with a fine prayer for my safety on the road.  Phil asked God to provide me and my bike with safety and for a safe return.  I was grateful for his words and I felt God’s watchful care over me and my bike.  As I rode toward Ontario, there were several times I thought God was helping me be safe.  Thank you God and please be with all the riders on Run For The Wall until we all arrive home safe in the and arms of our loved ones.

The weather riding into Ontario was beautiful and traffic not bad, being Mother’s Day.  As I rode past the host hotel, coming the other direction was a familiar face, one with a cigar protruding out his mouth.  Many of you probably know who I’m talking about.  I waved and he pointed at me recognizing me as well.  It’s already begun.  Run For the wall is an event that gets under your skin and it feels good.

I went to check into the hotel; only to find my roommate was already there and had a Diet Coke on ice for me.  It doesn’t get any better than that.  It was so good to see him again.  As I walked around the host hotel, familiar faces were everywhere and the hugs were nonstop.  It is so good to see so many of my friends again.  This is part of the reason I do Run For The Wall.  There are so many parts it would be a long list.  One of my friends showed me into Registration where more familiar faces with big smiles and more hugs greeted me.  Happy does not quite describe the feeling.  The Midway Registration Team is amazing and brought homemade cookies.  They got me checked in quick.  I saw quite a few friends from last year when I was Platoon 6 Leader.  They were back for more this year, but I was reassigned to another platoon this year.  No matter, we’ll still see a lot of each other.  One of my former platoon members mentioned he brought me a gift and went to retrieve it.  When he returned I was surprised to see he brought me a dream catcher made by Cherokee Indians and it was my color blue.  I was overwhelmed at such a thoughtful act, one that had particular significance to me.

All the route vendor trucks were set up outside and open for business.  Everything is there to help everyone interested in commemorating Run For The Wall.  Stop by and check out the Geedunk.

Here’s the Pre-Run Itinerary if you haven’t seen it already. https://rftw.us/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/RFTW-Itinerary-2018-Ontario-Update-Rev3.pdf.  Please check out what’s going on.  Some stuff is mandatory.  Monday is a big day.  There will be hundreds of bikers riding in and there is a lot of coordinating that needs to happen.  All the activity in preparing for the Run kicks into high gear tomorrow.  We have been waiting and saying “Is it May yet”, for a long time.  Well it’s here.  Are you ready for Run For The Wall?

“We Ride For Those That Can’t”

Tom “Twotone” Lystrup – Platoon 5 Leader / Midway Route SitRep Writer

I’d appreciate your comments.  lystruptf@gmail.com

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March 23 – Hello Midway Route Family. I hope you are doing well and I’m sure you are with great anticipation looking forward to beginning the Run in another month and a half. I am as well. I have an idea I wanted to share with y’all. I spoke to Bandit about this idea and he concurred it was a good thing for us to do.

On Day 2, Thursday we cross from Arizona into New Mexico and stop at Milan Elementary School. Those of you that have been on the Midway Route previously may remember that we join with all the elementary school children and recite the Pledge of Allegiance together. This is a great event. You may also remember that after the pledge, the children recite the New Mexico Pledge as well as the Milan School Pledge. I was impressed with this act especially. The children wrote the school pledge themselves and they live it in their daily lives. My idea is to also join them in saying the New Mexico Pledge as well as the Milan Elementary School Pledge. The words are below. You can print this page and use it to help us join the children in saying these pledges together. I will also have copies to hand out at the Day 2 Mandatory Riders meeting in the morning. Please become familiar with these pledges. Perhaps memorize the words if you can and let’s join together as one with the children of Milan Elementary School in saying these pledges together. Let them feel the unity we share as a family of Riders who support our veterans, our military and our country, just as they do.

New Mexico Pledge –
“I salute the flag of the State of New Mexico and the Zia symbol of perfect friendship among united cultures”

(Clarification only – Zia symbol description – Zia is the name the Zia First Nation people attribute to the sun which they hold sacred and depict as a red circle with four rays emanating from it). All cultures depend on the sun. In that, we are all united and have something in common with the children of Milan Elementary school.

Milan Elementary Pledge –
“I pledge to be a person of character;
to help others when they need it;
to treat others the way I want to be treated;
to be caring, respectful, responsible;
be a good citizen;
be fair and trustworthy.
I count! You count!”

Let’s do this. Let’s show the children of Milan Elementary School we support them. Thank You!

Please email me with your comments or with anything you think needs correction or that needs inclusion.

“We Ride For Those That Can’t”

Tom “Twotone” Lystrup – lystruptf@gmail.com
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