Our 3rd and final day heading  to The Middle East Conflicts War Memorial. We assembled at Hunter’s Moon Harley Davidson for our Prayer, Pledge of Allegiance and morning announcements. Once complete we took a short 10 mile ride to The Indiana Veteran’s Home in West Lafayette IN. We had breakfast here but more importantly we were allowed to visit with the Veteran’s here. It continues to amaze me the strength that some of these Veteran’s muster up to stand from their wheelchairs to return a Salute from a fellow Veteran.

As much as we hated to leave we did have our Mission to complete. With Thanks said and Goodbyes given we departed heading onward toward our destination. In Watseka IL we stopped at Casey’s General Store for fuel and a short break then continued on to the Watseka Legion Park where we received lunch and had our awards ceremony. Normally the awards would be presented at Hunter’s Moon HD but a Command Decision was made by Cob to defer until today as yesterday was a long day. This park is beautiful and well maintained. We were also able to see their brand new Gold Star Memorial!

Now for the final leg to complete our mission. This SitRep Write was given a great privilege. I was allowed to have the accompaniment of FIVE with me on this leg. I rode the Missing Man into the Middle East Conflicts War Memorial with my daughter Sarah in the back seat. Beside me were four friends of Pierce “Deadeye” Harmon who could not ride this year due to school. The four beside us were:

CPL Hunter Lopez

CPL Daegan William-Tyeler Page

CPL Humberto Sanchez

HM3 Max Soviak

These four Soldiers were part of the “Abbey Gate 13” who were killed by a suicide bomber at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul Afghanistan August 26, 2021 the last day of their deployment.

SAY THEIR NAMES  –  TELL THEIR STORIES  –  NEVER FORGET

AND

LIVE A LIFE WORTHY OF THEIR SACRIFICE

Sandbox Route arrived at the Middle East Conflicts Wall Memorial on time with many riders eager to get to the Wall with their BIOs. My daughter and I were two of them.

2025 MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!!

Up bright and early to get to all the routine morning happenings. After breakfast we departed the Mall and headed into downtown St Clairesville for their Memorial Day program. The High School Band played our National Anthem to get this started, as always it sounded great. We also were given the privilege of hearing a speech by Madison Miller who was Crowned Miss Ohio for 2023. She spoke about Patriotism, Veterans and Run For The Wall. Wow was she good! Speaking with her afterward I commented to her that I did not see her looking at any notes. She explained that “I research the topics and people I am asked to speak about to learn as much as I can. I then just start and speak from the heart.” That she did!!

We left St Clairesville to the cheering of many citizens headed on west toward our first fuel stop. As we were approaching the 70/77 interchange which is 1-2 miles East of Cambridge OH there was some chatter by teams ahead of us about “friendlies” on overpasses. The State Route 209 overpass had a Cambridge Ladder Truck and 12-15 people who cheered us on, a first for this new route.

 

As we continued west there were several more overpasses between Cambridge and Zanesville that had spectators present. One of our riders is from the area and a friend of theirs reported 35 people on an overpass in Zanesville along with the local NBC/Fox TV Affiliate on a bridge and coverage on the news. We are getting increasing support on this route and it sure helped pump up the riders!!

At a rest area 35 miles east of Columbus OH the Columbus Police Motor Officers joined us to escort us to and through the Columbus Metro area. These Officers are great and they shut down the Interstate to keep cages from joining us on the highway! Next was our fuel stop at a Love’s Truck Stop near Etna OH on SR 310, which is new this year and went very well. The fuelers and stagers did a fantastic job with the organization of this new stop.

Onward we go, Next stop Brown & Small VFW Post 5434 in Union OH. This small VFW puts out plenty of great food for us. Fried chicken to deli sandwiches it was all good!

After lunch we did a small hop of about 9 miles to fuel in Brookville OH at a Speedway. After a brief stop here, since we had just had lunch, we “Soldiered on” toward Lafayette IN. After a tad more than 60 miles we stopped for one last daily fueling in Knightstown IN at the Speedway. It was now after 4pm and riders were looking forward to getting this last leg in and having dinner and a Gold Star Mother’s Candlelight Vigil at Hunter’s Moon Harley Davidson. This dealership and their staff are amazing! Our evening dinner is provided by Hunter’s Moon HD but the biggest bonus here is their service department is OPEN, yes that’s correct, the service department is open in the evening on Memorial Day and will stay until the bikes needing service are completed if at all possible. WOW, how great is that.

Today we departed on Sandbox AKA Wall to Wall route. According to RFTW.us there are 331 registered riders on this route. Using last years ratio of “Two up” bikes this would be 296 motorcycles. We left American Legion 176 in Springfield VA and headed west, or at least I believe it to be west. These hosts were ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL!!! THANK YOU!!!

We arrived at the Gateway Travel Plaza for fuel, a snack and most importantly hydration. We all know but sometimes need reminded, snacks may be nice but hydration is vital!!

Leaving Breezewood there was an Outreach that went to Patriots Park Memorial. I have no information other than what I heard this a private endeavor and we are going to attempt to get more Riders there next year as it was so impressive. The Main pack headed straight to lunch at American Legion Post 257 in Stoystown. This Legion lays out the “Red Carpet” for us. Thank You for the great meal!!

Next was a short ride over to The Flight 93 National Memorial. It was great as we were Staged in Bus Parking which made parking a breeze. There was a presentation about the passengers and their actions which ultimately caused the plane to fall short of it’s intended target, believed to be the Capitol Building. We left The Memorial and I rode with Five-O and the Chaplains in the rear, these riders staff the chase trucks. We then only rode 47 miles to the APLUS Travel Plaza in Hunker PA for fuel. While there the Chase Team did their duty and loaded a bike which would not start. They took it forward to the Harley Davidson Dealer in St Clairesville. Leaving APLUS, Five-0 asked if I wanted to go with him ahead of the pack. I’ll never say no. We took off, at the WVA State Line, a road guard was with the WVA Trooper in the median, they were waiting for the pack and to be the escort across to Ohio. We continued on and stopped at the Ohio end of the bridge over the Ohio River on 470. Five-0 thanked the Ohio State Patrol Trooper. On to the Mall and getting there to check out that what he was responsible for was “good to go.”

We the went back to the bridge over I-70 where the pack would be turning off of Banfield Road and onto Mall Road. WOW!! How amazing to watch “The Pack” arrive.