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Southern Route – Day 6 – Monroe, LA to Meridian, MS

As usual, the day began with the morning rider’s meeting. After the prayer, pledge and anthem, Bugs gave out the thank you plaques to the community supporters. Sam’s Club employees took up a collection and donated $2,239.24. An amazingly wonderful gesture.

Thank you Radar for posing with the check. You’re a good sport and an excellent route coordinator assistant. Thank you for your service and sacrifice, you’re the best! ❤️

Our numbers increase with every passing day. Platoons 3, 4, 5 and 6 each have 30 riders. Our total platoon numbers are 229 bikes, fuel team 21, staging team 18, ambassadors 21, road guards 21, for a total route bike count of 289 ish. That does not include the two up riders or the support vehicles and volunteers.

Rode a short distance to the Monroe, LA City Hall, escorted by the Louisiana State Police. Just gotta say, they are very easy on the eyes 👀.

At Monroe, a newscaster requested an interview with a veteran. I asked “Strings” if he would talk to the reporter, he graciously agreed. During the interview, he said,

“Because of RFTW, I am proud of my service. I wasn’t proud of my service before going on the run.” I thought that was very profound. The healing power of the run is real and it works!

From Monroe, we rode across the mighty Mississippi River and into the great state of Mississippi. Where patriotism abounds! We made a quick fuel stop and picked up the Governor of Mississippi.

Billie “Bugs” Dunlap and Governor Phil Bryant

You have to see the ride into Jackson, to believe it. Helicopters meet the riders at the state border and circle over head as the riders make their way to the Jackson Harley Dealer. We were treated to a nice sack lunch and an excellent Quarterdeck Ceremony. I managed to get a copy of the dignitary list, and it’s impressive!

To highlight a few of the invited guests:

Floyd James “Jim” Thompson was a United States Army colonel. He was the longest held American prisoner of war in U.S. history, spending nearly nine years in captivity in the jungle camps and mountains of Vietnam and Laos, and in North Vietnam during the Vietnam War.

Why we ride!

The keynote speaker was Major General James Livingston, three tours in Vietnam and the recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor. I pulled his bio from the Medal of Honor website. It was such an honor to be in the same room with him. I hope you will read the bio and recognize the extraordinary service he gave.

During his remarks he shared that there are currently only 70 Medal of Honor recipients left. He also said, “If we have to go to war, we have the finest military in the world.” AMEN to that!

After the ceremony, riders enjoyed touring The Trail of Honor. Earl of Jackson Harley Davidson brings in period, war reenactors, portraying the American Revolution up to and including World War II and Vietnam, including cannons.

A little situation occurred at Jackson. The Jackson stop is a little tricky. There isn’t a large parking lot to stage in, so every year much discussion takes place as to the best way to stage 300 motorcycles. I understand this year, hours of conversation took place. All I have to say is:

“WHERE OH WHERE HAS THE STAGING TEAM GONE, OH WHERE OH WHERE CAN THEY BE? WITH THEIR GPS ON THE FRITZ AND NO COMMS TO THEIR RANKS, OH WHERE OH WHERE CAN THEY BE?

Ambassador’s Report:

Today the Ambassadors visited the Museum that honors General Chennault & his acclaimed P40 Flying Aces. The American Volunteer Group, “The Flying Tigers”, combated Japanese bombing raids on China. The Chinese people continue to honor the General. “He saved our country” is an oft-repeated phrase spoken by all Chinese visitors.

In Closing:

“If we maintain our faith in God, love of freedom, and superior global air power, the future looks good.” General Curtis LeMay

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Southern Route – Day 5 – Grand Prairie, TX to Monroe, LA

Today began with church, not in the Wildwoods but in the Wal-Mart parking lot. I always enjoy the RFTW church service, it’s short and sweet but invites the Lord into the ride. From my earlier post, you already know that I believe he is with us.

After the church services, “Bugs” opened the rider’s meeting with the pledge, National Anthem and Prayer. “Hoops” introduced the “why we ride” speaker for the day, Shannon Spake. Shannon is an MIA daughter. Her Father, LCDR Dennis S. Pike’s plane was shot down on March 23, 1972. Shannon explains more in the short attached video.

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We ride for Shannon’s Dad!

Shannon and I first became acquainted, on the run and then through Daughters of the American Revolution, of which we are both members. I am proud to have Shannon as a friend and wish her all the best on her next trip to learn more about her Father. God speed Shannon❤️❤️❤️

Our first stop took us into Terrell, Texas. This is a great little town with very patriotic citizens. The various organizations come out with gifts, and homemade treats with plenty of hugs and welcome home wishes. This is a special stop for me as members of the Kings Fort Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution come out to wave flags and give hugs.

Part of the wonder of the run is the people you meet in the towns we ride through. Year after year riders return to see the same smiling faces and receive hugs. Because of RFTW, I have family all over the country.

A 90 mile leg took us into Longview Texas. Oh did I mention, we had another picture perfect day. No rain, not too hot, beautiful green countryside, yep, just another lovely day for the southern route.

Okay, back to Longview, after a gas and go, we staged at the Longview Fairgrounds for lunch and entertainment. This is one of my favorite stops, but as I was told, I say that at every stop. Doesn’t mean it’s not true! We dined on a good old fashioned American lunch; sandwiches, chips and apples. It was yummy and filling.

There is a man that sings for us and I meant to get his name but I was called away for something else and didn’t get back to get it. He is there every year, and every year, sings some great patriotic songs. I requested he sing, God Bless the U.S.A. I think he gave an excellent rendition and as you can see in the video, the riders thought so too.

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In Longview as we were finishing up inside, rider, James Dalton asked to speak to me. He shared with me, that James Yettman was in the parking lot asking for me. Mr. Yettman reads the Sit-reps every night and he wanted to thank me and let me know that he is following along with us in spirit. He would like to go to the wall to pay respect to his friends whose name’s are engraved there on, but his health will not permit him to go. He asked James Dalton to carry his picture with him to the wall. If he couldn’t be there in person, maybe just his picture could go. James Dalton and I both shed a tear as he was relating this experience. As you can imagine, James Dalton is honored to take Mr. Yettman’s picture with him.

Mr. Yettman, if you’re reading this tonight, we’ve got your six. We will say a prayer for you and your buddies when we arrive at the wall.

You Mr. Yettman, are why we ride!

All you Vietnam Veterans, you’re not getting any younger. If you aren’t a biker and don’t want to ride with Run for the Wall, check into Honor Flight. They are taking more and more Vietnam Veterans to the wall. Don’t wait until it’s too late!

From Longview we had an easy 179 miles (two legs) to Monroe, LA. As soon as we crossed into Louisiana, I swear you could see the humidity in the air, it’s thick stuff.

Pulled into the Monroe-Shriner’s Hall for some homemade, delicious Louisiana gumbo. Really, really good stuff, the rider’s look forward to the gumbo every year.

Bugs gave out several thank you plaques. The Louisiana state officers that escort us across the state received a standing ovation. I am hoping tomorrow we’ll get a skill demonstration. I’ll record it and post it tomorrow, it’s impressive.

The JROTC did a very nice POW ceremony. Upon completion of the ceremony riders were dismissed.

In Closing:

“Above all, we must realize that no arsenal, or no weapon in the arsenals of the world, is so formidable as the will and moral courage of free men and women. It is a weapon our adversaries in today’s world do not have.” President Ronald Reagan

I am sure the grammar and spelling are getting worse with each passing day and the lack of sleep is catching up with me. Sorry 😔

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Southern Route – Day 4 – Odessa Tx to Grand Prairie, TX

Today was a picture perfect day to ride, azure blue skies, white fluffy clouds, shirt sleeve temperatures and wild flowers galore🌸🌺🌼🌻!

The day began at the Odessa, TX American Legion Post 430 with a delicious breakfast of eggs, sausage, bacon, biscuits and gravy. Yum – Yum!

MIA daughter “Hoops” introduced KIA son that she met on the internet. In the attached video he explains who is father and why he has a destroyer named after him:

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Donald G. Cook, P.O.W., died in captivity in South Vietnam, Saigon. His son W. Thomas Cook is the man speaking, accompanied by his son, Donald G. Cook and daughter Cleo Cook. Thank you for sharing your personal family experience.

Why we ride!

We went to bed worrying about a tornado warning but when we woke, the storm had crossed our path and moved further north. Made for beautiful day with only puddles visible.

We rode a short ten miles to the Permian Basin Memorial, a beautiful Vietnam Memorial. Southern route honor guard coordinator has gone above and beyond. He had custom vests made, and had the military patches sewn on, to represent all the military branches. He also included white gloves, another symbol of respect. Check out how how nice they look in these photos. Thank you Chaplain Bill, you rock!!!!

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We lunched in Colorado City at the the Rail Head City building. The Sweetwater Municipal Band performed live music. One of my favorite was the playing of the theme song for each military branch. Makes me cry, every time!

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Many riders ended the day with a massage at the Dubiski Career High School, including me. The perfect ending to a beautiful day. This is my sixth year on the run and nobody ever told me about this secret massage section. Thanks Roadrunner for cluing me in!

Yeah! hooray! We have an Ambassador’s report. Took a little technological maneuvering but we did it!

“Today Ambassadors were honored to visit the WASP WWII Museum in Sweetwater, Tx. In 1942 women answered the call of their country & joined the Women Air Force Service Pilots. They trained male pilots in flying high powered pursuits & bomber aircraft. Today there are 36 surviving women ranging in age 96 to 103.”

“The Ambassadors, with humility & the greatest honor, dedicated RFTW Memorial Wreaths to 2 Medal Of Honor recipients in Odessa, Texas.
Alfred Wilson, Corporal, Marine, in action against hostile forces in Vietnam gallantly gave his life for his country. His courage, valor & selfless devotion to duty upheld the highest traditions of the U.S. Marines.
Marvin Young, Staff Sargent, Army, distinguished himself at the cost of his life in Vietnam, while serving as a squad leader reflecting great credit to his unit & the U.S. Army.
Let us never forget.”

In closing:

“The soldier is the Army. No Army is better than its soldiers. The soldier is also a citizen. In fact, the highest obligation and privilege of citizenship is that of bearing arms for one’s country.” General George S. Patton

We ride for those who can’t.

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Southern Route – Day 3 – Las Cruces, NM – Odessa, TX

My day began very early this morning. My husband, “Doc” is a Road Guard in Training “RGIT”. They had a team meeting at 5:15 am in the hotel parking lot. I admire and respect the road guards, first off because they are very skilled riders (or crazy) jury might still be out on that one, secondly, they work so dang hard, all day long.

I shot this short video of the road guards pulling out of the hotel parking lot to position road guards to guide riders to the breakfast/morning staging location.

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Rider’s enjoyed a delicious breakfast of biscuits and gravy, eggs, bacon and sausage, provided by American Legion Post 10 of Las Cruces, NM.

After breakfast we headed over to the Las Cruces Veterans Memorial Park. This year we enjoyed a police escort, a change from last year. I think they realized it was easier to join us, hehehe, don’t quote me on that. Watching the road guards work in conjunction with the police department was poetry in action.

The park was a short four miles from the legion post but it was through Las Cruces.The road guards and police officers did what is called a “bump and run”. Meaning the motor officers with their lights flashing would secure an intersection and then once a road guard was available, they would “bump” the officer to free him/her up to go secure the next intersection. It was fun to watch them “bump and run” through the intersections as we traveled to the park.

Speaking of road guards, one very special road guard has 41 adopted nieces and nephews following his trip across the country with Run for the Wall. They call him “Uncle Joker” he is known to southern route riders as “Joker”. His sister’s 4th grade class from The First Baptist Church School, known as the patriots of Shreveport, LA. are following “Uncle Joker”, through the tracking device he has on his bike. The teacher is sharing, photos from the RFTW Facebook page and Instagram of the events through out the day. She is also reading the daily sit-rep to the class. A huge shout out to the Patriots of Shreveport! Pins and stickers are on the way!

To finish today’s focus on the road guards I have one other collage of road guard/LEO liaison “Stonewall” receiving the first ever “KMA” pin. What it was awarded for, we do not know, perhaps “Bugs” or “Stonewall” will tell all. The other photo is of “Chrome” & “Wildcat” preparing to blast the 15/5 minute warning. Upon hearing the blast, riders better be at their bikes, gearing up, because the pack is leaving.

A huge thank you to all of the Southern Route road guards. I’d name you all individually but I left the list in my tour pack. Just know, the riders love you and appreciate you❤️❤️🏍🇺🇸

The visit to the Veterans Park was amazing! I had a very special tour guide today. “Gump” whom I mentioned last night hung back and showed me around the Bataan Death march monument. Gump grew up in Las Cruces, so he knows a lot about it. How can you have a more meaningful experience of a POW monument than when walking and talking with a repatriated POW?

This is what I learned, in a nut shell:

April 9, 1942, we surrendered to the Japanese which began the seven day, sixty-five mile Bataan Death March. 70,000 started the march, of those 70,000, 1,000 Americans and possibly 15,000 Filipinos died before reaching Camp O’Donnell. New Mexico had the highest per capita Japanese P.O.W. population in the nation.

I asked Gump;s permission to take his picture with the monument. Not something you see everyday. A repatriated P.O.W. and a monument to his home state’s P.O.W.s. You’ll see in the photo, footprints in the clay. The footprints coincide with the soldiers from New Mexico. A very moving tribute to the sacrifice they made.

It was an honor to tour the Bataan Death March monument with Gump. An experience I will not forget. Thank you Gump for sharing your heart, compassion and understanding of the plight of POWs, with me today. Love ya! ❤️


From the Veterans Park we rode 77 miles, and crossed into Texas, where the trucks are BIG and dirty! A big shout out to all the cowboy hat wearing, flag waving Texans that lined the streets to cheer us on our way.

The second leg of the afternoon was very hot, riders did as they were told and drank a lot of water and gatorade.

We ended the night at the Odessa Crossroads Fellowship Church. They lay out the best meal ever! Sweet Tea, fried cat fish, chicken, corn bread, beans. What more could a hot hungry rider ask for??? Thank you “Mojo” & “Wicked” for arranging for the great hospitality in Odessa.

Working on getting Ambassador and Outreach reports. Might do a photo dump of all three days events.

Since we are near Chris Kyle’s home, we’ll end tonight’s sit-rep with a quote from Chris:

“It was my duty to shoot the enemy, and I don’t regret it. My regrets are for the people I couldn’t save: Marines, soldiers, buddies. I’m not naive, and I don’t romanticize war. The worst moments of my life have come as a SEAL. But I can stand before God with a clear conscience about doing my job.”

Chris Kyle

Thank you for reading and God Bless America!

Please excuse grammar and spelling, too tired to care.

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Southern Route – Day 2 – Chandler, AZ to Las Cruces, NM

So much happened today, it’s hard to know where to start. Let’s start at the beginning… the stagers are responsible for staging us in platoons so we can roll out in an orderly manner. It’s a thankless job, riders tend to grumble when the stagers don’t get things perfect. The staging team like all the other RFTW teams are volunteers and work hard all year. This year our stage leads are Joe Erychleb and Steve “Hard Rock” Powell.

They decided they wanted really good signs this year. So they thought and thought and decided pizza pans with reflective tape would make great platoons staging signs. So they made 14 sets of signs for all the platoons. Joe made the top, pizza sign and Steve made the poles. Let me tell you, they are large and visible it makes staging easy for the riders when we come around the corner. We are lucky to have such dedicated volunteers. A big shout out to the entire staging team. Thank you for your dedicated service to all the riders.

As always, Marana, AZ welcomes the riders with open arms. The Golden Ranch Fire Fighters Pipes and Drums, Local 3832 presented the colors. After the colors were presented, Amber Simons O’Neill sang Hallelujah, a beautiful tribute to military, written by Sailor Jerri. It’s a beautiful song. Enjoy the video.

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Now, for one of the more emotional experiences I’ve had in six years, I’ve been on the run. If I ever needed a reminder that there is a God who knows and cares, today was it.

As we were preparing to leave Marana for Wilcox, Gump the Missing Man coordinator came up and told me, “as the six pack, APL, it’s your job to fill in if someone falls out of the missing man formation. I thought oh, okay, glad I was told before too many days went by, no biggie, I can do that.

Thirty minutes after Gump mentioned this responsibility to me, I hear over the radio, “Kristine, Kristine, missing man has fallen out, we need you up here now”. I quickly tap out of my platoon, zip on up to the missing man formation, (only going 5 over the speed limit), of course. I tap in and take the spot that was vacated.

If you’ve ever ridden in the missing man formation, you know how emotional it can be. Well today, once I settled into the spot, I began to think about my day and how it all went down. When I walked out to staging today, Radar shared with me a poem his daughter, Sydney Ley, wrote about the missing man. Very insightful and beautiful.

“Missing Man.
Those two words echo in my mind and in the wind as we ride. Nothing but the steadfast rumble of the bike beneath me and the sound of the wind rushing by.
If you’re still, you can hear their voices, calling for remembrance.
So many emotions and no words to say.
So here I sit, with the Missing Man.
In Silence, a quiet prayer.
To all the Missing Men and Women, who have given the ultimate sacrifice for their Country, for all their Brothers and Sisters to enjoy the freedom so heavily priced…Thank you. Gone, but NEVER Forgotten!”

As Gibbs of NCIS says, “there’s no such thing as a coincidence”. It was not a coincidence that Radar chose today to share Sydney’s poem with me. It was not a coincidence that Gump, thought to mention to me that it was my job to fill-in if anyone in the missing man formation taps out. It was not a coincidence that a rider did tap out. It is also is not a coincidence that Gump is our missing man coordinator.

Let me tell you a little bit about Joe “Gump” Hudson, Repatriated POW. Gump was a Prisoner of War, March 23, 2003 – April 13, 2003. He was held captive with seven other Americans, five were released, two were not. As you can imagine, the Missing Man Formation is very near and dear to Gump’s heart. I believe that the Lord’s hand was in the sharing of the poem, and the getting the Missing Man Formation completed. I don’t have the thought process to explain all there is to the missing man formation, please google it to learn more, to understand the honor and respect it gives to our Missing in Action and Killed in Action. Thank you Gump, we love you! ❤️

I think that’s all the words I have to share tonight. It’s just too much emotion to try to put into words. God Bless our Blue star families, our Gold Star families and our active duty military through out the world.

🏍🏍🏍🇺🇸We ride for those who can’t.We ride together-together we ride🏍🏍🏍🇺🇸

In closing:

“Do your duty in all things. You cannot do more, you should never wish to do less.” General Robert E. Lee

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Day 1 – Ontario, CA – Chandler, AZ 348 miles

Oh what a beautiful day ☀️ to ride across the Mojave desert into Arizona. We pulled out of Ontario about 10 minutes ahead of schedule. A smooth start to Run for the Wall-2019. We rode through a light overcast, 60 degrees. About 10 miles out we rode into fog which dropped the temperature slightly. Rode in the fog for about 10 minutes and then the sun came out and it was beautiful. We had light cross winds through California, as the day went on the cross winds became a little stronger. The wind keeps the temperature down or the perception of heat down, so it’s all good. It’s a dry heat 😂, right.

Lifestyle Cycles donated two gas stops today, at California prices! Do the math on that one! If you live in Southern California, it’s a great shop with great prices!

After gassing up, we pulled into the Blythe fairgrounds. The small town of Blythe does a tremendous job of feeding us lunch and putting on a patriotic program. The Southern Route has been riding into Blythe for twelve years, receiving a warm welcome.

It was an easy ride into town with three law enforcement agencies escorting us; Blythe P.D., California Highway Patrol and Riverside County Sheriff. Thank you!

The JROTC performed a Missing Man Ceremony that was very moving.

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Leaving Blythe Fairgrounds, we crossed the Colorado River into Arizona and cheaper gas! Pulled into the Tonapah Love’s Travel Stop, gassed up and…. my bike wouldn’t start 😢, DEAD Battery. Two nice fuel team members pushed my bike out of the way, (I was clogging up the works). Chad “Slacker” O’dell gave me a jump so I could get into the staging area. Then he gave me another jump when it was time to ride out. Thank you Slacker and Bob “Captain America” Nelson for having the jumper pack, enabling me to get on down the road.

Once we crossed into Arizona we had two LEO (Law Enforcement Officers) escorting us through Phoenix. They did a tremendous job, blocking traffic. A big HOORAH for our road guards. Keeping us safe as we move on down the road.

Pulled into Chandler to a warm, patriotic welcome from the Patriotic Guard Riders who formed a nice flag line. Here is where my sit-rep ends because, I had to purchase a new battery and lend moral support to my husband as he changed the battery. I missed the ceremony and program. The good news, I have a new battery, the bike started right up and I’ll be back in business tomorrow.

In closing:

“If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, go home from us in peace. We ask not your counsels or your arms. Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you. May your chains set lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen.” Samuel Adams

Excuse grammar and spelling mistakes. It’s been a long day as we
RIDE FOR THOSE WHO CAN’T❤️🇺🇸🏍

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Southern Route – Pre-run events

Southern Route will ride out tomorrow with 340 riders. A little less than anticipated. Perhaps we’ll pick up the additional numbers at registration tomorrow.

Today there was a mandatory FNG meeting. Riders were introduced to Billie Dunlop “Bugs”, route coordinator, Bob Nelson “Cap’t America” assistant route coordinator, Vic Killion, “Big Vic” Platoon coordinator. Vic continued with the introductions of all platoon leaders.

The nurse then reminded riders to wear their completed medical form at all times and to HYDRATE – HYDRATE – HYDRATE.

The best part of the day was the unveiling of the Combat Hero Bike Build. Jed Morgan while deployed with the Marine Corps, brushed up against a pressure plate and lost both his legs and injured his arm.

As part of the ceremony, the corpsman that saved Jed’s life was flown in to be with Jed and to share this special day.

The attached video is worth the watch, what a wonderful thing, to give a veteran the gift of “wind therapy”. God Bless you Jed, we love you and honor you. ❤️❤️❤️

The final event of the day was the, all riders all routes meeting. Marines out of Barstow presented the colors. The route coordinators were introduced and shared their vision for the 2019 run.

We then broke into routes. Bugs reviewed basic safety information and introduced team leaders who shared their specific area of responsibility. We then broke into platoons for further briefing.

Staging begins very early tomorrow morning. Routes will begin leaving the parking lot at 7:45 am.

In closing:
“My responsibility, our responsibility as lucky Americans, is to try to give back to this country as much as it has given us, as we continue our American journey together.” GEN Colin Powell

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2018 – Mission Complete

Today began at approximately 7:00 am as FNG’s began staging in the underground parking lot of the host hotel. At 8:20ish the rider’s meeting began with Slacker and Captain standing on top of the parking structure. Riders were instructed on the route to Arlington National Cemetery and how to behave in the cemetery. It was emphasized that we arrive as a group and we will leave as a group. Arlington expects better behavior from Run for the Wall and it’s riders if the relationship is going to continue. Happy to report, everyone went in as a group and left as a group. Should be good for another year.

As it is to be expected when entering America’s most hallowed cemetery, the emotion was overwhelming. Arlington National Cemetery, contains the remains of more than 400,000 people from the United States and 11 other countries. The Tomb of the Unknown contains the remains of three soldiers, one from WWI, WWII, and the Korean War respectively. There was an unidentified soldier from the Vietnam War interred in the monument, but the remains were identified in 1998, thanks to modern DNA technology. It was decided to leave the Vietnam tomb empty and revise the grave marker to reference both unknown AND missing soldiers from that conflict.

Southern Route was honored to have two of it’s riders selected as part of the Run for the Wall Honor guard and to participate in the wreath laying, Old School and Captain America.

Captain America said that when he stepped on the black tarmac, where the guards march 22 steps back and forth, it was surreal, knowing the lifetime commitment the guards make. Old School too was overwhelmed at the honor of being one of a few that ever have the opportunity to participate in a wreath laying on such hallowed ground.

You did your fellow riders proud, thank you for your service and patriotism.

From Arlington National Cemetery, riders gathered on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial for the group photo. You talk about hot! Takes quite a while to get 1,500 people gathered on the steps. Once the photo is taken the group makes the short walk over to the Vietnam Memorial where the tributes and biographies that have been carried across the United States are placed at the wall. The Three Route Coordinators and Gunny placed the “Mission Accomplished” plaque at the apex of the wall. Fng’s have their buttons turned upside down, signifying that they made it all the way to DC and to the Vietnam Memorial. And their Mission is Complete.

It has been an honor to be your sit-rep writer again this year. I hope I have done a decent job in capturing the daily events of the run. Riders, now that you are home and able to read the sit-reps, please remember to go to RFTW.US and complete your After Action Report, FNG Report and Volunteer to serve next year.

To all the wives that sit home for three weeks while their husbands/loved ones are serving those that serve, thank you! Many of the men on the run are worried they won’t be “allowed” to participate next year. Please don’t stand in their way, this is more than just a ride with their buddies, there is purpose and a goal and their service is needed and appreciated.

Looking forward to seeing all of you in 2019, May 15 – 24.

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Day 10 – Lynchburg, VA to Arlington, VA Shenandoah Valley & Parkway

The first 200 miles of today’s journey into DC were absolutely beautiful. An early morning ride through the Shenandoah Valley with the new spring foliage in beautiful hues of green. The sweet smell of honeysuckle permeated the air. The rising sun glittering through the branches and leaves on the trees. I wish I had better words to describe the beauty we encountered this morning. All of my senses were drinking in the beauty of the valley.

There were two gas stops, one at Sheetz in Fisherville. The owner, donates the gas and any snacks the riders’ want from the shop, very generous! The second gas stop was also a donated stop with staging taking place at the Holiday Inn Parking lot. Somebody makes peanut butter & jelly sandwiches for the riders. We’re talking hundreds of pb&j sandwiches. They were delicious! I wish I had found out who made them to thank them. Next year!

An announcement was made by the public relations representative (me). “Once you ride with us, you belong to the Run for the Wall family and families should stay connected so, go to RFTW.US, sign up to get updates when they are posted, also sign up for access to the forum. The forum is fairly active all year, you can learn some valuable information for the forum. Another way to stay connected is through the “Run for the Wall” facebook page and instagram account. You can tell if you are on the official pages because the profile picture is the new logo. And, finally on the website, go to Scuttlebutt and fill out an After action report and if you are an FNG, fill out an FNG Story. This will help us Continue the Mission. Let us know if you are interested in volunteering next year in platoon leadership, staging team or fuel team. The run doesn’t operate without volunteers!”

The route went through the chant one final time before we do it on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. We are hoping the other routes will join in for the “Bring them Home” at the conclusion.

Ghost Rider the “tormentor”????

The dreaded purple heart ☹️💜, means you dropped your bike on the way to the wall. I know of a number of yellow sleeves that oops and one set of black sleeves. We won’t name any names though, that’s not nice 😜.

Tomorrow is the final day of the mission. Staging for Arlington begins at 7:45 am, according to the book. I’d go down a little earlier. After the ride into Arlington, the wreath will be laid at 10:15 am. This year Southern Route has two members in the honor guard, Old School and Captain America. Just like last year, I will go live on Facebook so family members at home can share in this special honor. “Run for the Wall”, official Facebook page.

https://www.facebook.com/RunForTheWall/

Good Night.

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Day 9 – Wytheville, VA – Lynchburg, VA, only 130 miles

Oh, what a beautiful morning…☀🌺, couldn’t ask for more beautiful weather to start the day. Instead of rain we woke to a beautiful sunny day. Much better than last year’s down pour.

We breakfasted in the Spiller Elementary School Cafeteria and enjoyed hot coffee and a good hot breakfast. Spiller rolls out the red carpet for Southern Route riders.

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The morning rider’s meeting was held in the Wytheville Memorial Park. The children came out and the rider’s give them small trinkets and gifts before the children lined up to sing to the riders. It’s a favorite of many of the rider’s. The children sang for us and recited the poem Old Glory…

After Wytheville, We had a 95 mile ride over to Montvale Elementary School where we were fed a nice box lunch and enjoyed a patriotic program put on by the children.

It was a short hop over to the D-Day Memorial in Bedford, VA. If you haven’t been there it’s worth the out of the way trip. It is an excellent museum/monument to those that gave their lives.

A description of the Overlord battle:
“It is hard to conceive the epic scope of this decisive battle that foreshadowed the end of Hitlers dream of Nazi domination. Overlord was the largest air, land, and sea operation undertaken before or since June 6, 1944. The landing included over 5,000 ships, 11,000 airplanes, and over 150,000 service men.

 After years of meticulous planning and seemingly endless training, for the Allied Forces, it all came down to this: The boat ramp goes down, then jump, swim, run, and crawl to the cliffs. Many of the first young men (most not yet 20 years old) entered the surf carrying eighty pounds of equipment. They faced over 200 yards of beach before reaching the first natural feature offering any protection. Blanketed by small-arms fire and bracketed by artillery, they found themselves in hell.

When it was over, the Allied Forces had suffered nearly 10,000 casualties; more than 4,000 were dead. Yet somehow, due to planning and preparation, and due to the valor, fidelity, and sacrifice of the Allied Forces, Fortress Europe had been breached.”

Platoon photos were taken at the memorial:

Sorry I could not run fast enough in the heat and humidity to get all the group shots that were taken. If anyone has them, send them to me and I will post them in the next sit-rep. I did manage to get the photo of the Virginia State Police Motor Unit 🤪

After the memorial a quick, easy, beautiful ride through the Blue Ridge Mountains. What a beautiful day to ride the sweeping curves and green hillsides. The smell of honeysuckle or clover was lovely. We’re not sure what we were smelling. If there’s a local Virginian out there that can shed some light on it, we’d appreciate it.

Pulled into the Lynchburg Harley Davidson shop for chicken sandwiches chips and ice cold water and soda. Many riders went t-shirt shopping. Just what we need, another t-shirt😏.

A very important, rip the patch off ceremony was held for a rider. TS had a patch that said, “Vietnam Era” I asked him about his service. He only spent one week in Vietnam and didn’t feel he deserved to wear the “Vietnam Veteran” Patch. I disagreed with him. He answered his country’s call to serve. He went to Vietnam and did what was asked of him. At the Harley Shop he was gifted a new Vietnam Veteran Patch and ripped off the old one to ready his vest for the new patch.

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Ripping off the old patch ceremony.

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I know for many veterans this is a sore spot. The veterans that did not set boots on the ground in Vietnam feel like second class Veterans, like they didn’t serve “enough”. I feel for them, just as I feel for the Veterans that went to Vietnam, witnessed the horrors of war and returned to a country that spit on them and the service they gave. I don’t have an answer, but I hope that ALL veterans, boots in country Veterans and Veterans that served in other ways know that America appreciates you, your service and your sacrifice.

2nd Platoon Leadership presented their Road Guard with a special thank you gift. This year the Southern Route put together the first ever ALL female platoon leadership. Mind you, the platoon is not made up of all females, just the four leadership members. The Road guard assigned to them, VOLUNTEERED to work with them. Today they presented Caretaker, now to be known as CARE BEAR, a Care Bear of his own. This year’s motto is “we ride with heart”. Thought the Tender Heart Care Bear was a good representation of the 2018 run. Once again, a big thank you to the Road Guards and the job they do to keep us safe and rolling down the road.

It’s hard to believe that tomorrow is day 10 and we arrive in DC. Seems like yesterday we were in Ontario. I hope many of our riders are considering volunteering for leadership jobs next year. We need people to work the fuel team, the staging team, and platoon leadership. If you enjoyed the experience you had this year, please consider returning next year and helping to “Charlie Mike”, “Continue the Mission” it won’t happen without volunteers like you! If interested you can volunteer at RFTW.us.

Tonight’s thought:

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.” Theodore Roosevelt

256 Miles to D.C., rider’s stay alert, stay vigilant, be safe, God speed!