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CR – May 14, 2025 – Day 1 To DC – Ontario, CA to Williams, AZ

 May 14, 2025 – Day 1 To DC – Ontario, CA to Williams, AZ

IT IS HERE.  The day we get to ride.  There has been a lot of planning, by a lot of teams.

Reminder From RFTW.US web site:

 
What an amazing day.  Bright sun and 53 was the temp.  Look at the sun.  
 

The day started with the Reveille Bugle Call.  That got everyone’s attention.  

Then posting of the colors.

 

We played the Star Spangled Banner. And had a prayer for the safety and healing of all participants. 
 
John Staub, the RFTW President, introduced Gunny.

 

James “Gunny” Gregory is the founder of RFTW.  He welcomed all. 
He gave an little history of what inspired him to start the Run.  These 3 men.
Joseph Nelson Hargrove
Gary Lee Hall
Danny Glen Marshall
 
Google:
Shortly after midnight on May 15, 1975, three Marines made up an M-60 machine gun team that was part of a Marine force making a helicopter-borne assault on enemy holdings on Koh Tang Island, Cambodia. They participated in combat operations throughout the day and were not known to be injured or wounded at any point. On the evening of May 15 orders were given to pull back to the beach of the island for extraction and to set up a new defensive position. The three Marines left their initial defensive position and started back to the beach; however, only one was sighted on the beach, and when the extraction was finished that night, all three Marines were missing. Enemy activity in the area prevented a return to the beach in order to search for them, and they remain unaccounted-for.
 
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If you read the SetRep from yesterday, you met Tom Crosby.  He was an 8 year old POW in WWII.
 
He talked about his brother today, Patrick Crosby.  
 
Google:
In 1953, Pat and Tom acted on a pact they had made years earlier while in prison camp. They prayed often. And they promised that if they were liberated, they would re-pay the United States. Pat and Tom decided to enlist in the Navy as their thank-you.
Pat was selected to be a “frogman” and was trained in underwater demolition. During Pat’s tours in Vietnam, he operated behind enemy lines disarming booby traps. He was so adept at that assignment that the Viet Cong put a bounty on his head and called him “Big Red” because of his very red hair.
After 20 years in the Navy, Pat retired in 1973. Tragically, soon thereafter, he became ill, stricken with cancer due to exposure to Agent Orange. He passed away the following year, at the age of only 39, leaving a wife and two young sons, ages 9 and 10.
It is somewhat ironic that Pat’s life was saved from the enemy by our U.S. soldiers during WWII. Then, nearly 30 years later, he lost his life trying to help others in similar circumstances.
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These 2 stories are why we ride.
 
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Since this year is the 35 year of RFTW, the Run has a platoon for only Vietnam Veterans that served in country.  I will be honoring a few every day in this report.  Here is the Platoon
Bob Doc Wilson
Branch: US Navy
Time: 1967-1971
Where: Vietnam
Rank: E-4
Job: Navy Corpsman, Field Medical Tech, Operating Room Tech, USS BonHom Richard CVA 31
Harvey McCullough
Branch: Navy
Time: 1965-1971
Where: USS Lexington, USS Midway
Rank: ANT 2 (E-5)
Job: Submarine Hunter/Tracker
Comments:  Thankful to be home
WELCOME HOME GENTLEMAN !!!
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After all the platoon meetings, we are ready to roll
The highway patrol this year shut down the highway for us to get started.
Transition from I10 to I15 was a breeze.  Thanks guys!!!  Check this out.

 

 

 

As you read my report during the Run, you will get a lot of picture of this beautiful country we live in,

 

 

Our first set of well-wishers.
Out in the middle of the field.  Such patriotism.

 

 

This was the day of trains.  I think I counted 7.  Not a big deal when you are sitting at a train crossing waiting for one to go thru.  What I always found interesting is that out here, you see the full train, 80-100 cars.  You see I can get easily amused.

 

The words for the day were flat and windy.

 

 

Next stop is Needle CA.  Check out the flags on the exit ramp.

I always remember the rock formations too.  All the branches of service are like this.
This one is USMC.

 

This is the first person that caught my eye as I was heading to the lawn area for lunch.
Here is our future.

 

Great reception by the people of Needles. 
Even the high school band is playing are we stage the bikes.

 

 

 Loved the lunch.  Simple and good.  Grilled Hot Dogs!!!!  Great idea.
Grade school kids fill out tables with these flags.  Thanking us for the freedom

 

 

 

They mayor welcomed us and thanked us for what we were doing.
Then there was the Star Spangled Banner played on electric guitar.

As we were getting ready to hit the road, I saw these 2.  Look at the front.  WOW

Look at the people and the excitement.  RFTW has made an impression on the nation.

Heading into Williams, AZ we star to see green and hills. The temps drop about 20 degrees from Needles.  I have learned from past rides to dress warm.

Walrus, one of our road guards, is always making sure we are awake after these long runs.

Looks like an old police hat and is that a tutu I see he is wearing?

Welcome to Williams.  People line the street.
And it is so small there are only stop signs.  No traffic lights.

As we get in line for lunch, the boy scouts are there to welcome us and hand out pins.  They also help with the clean up.  Way to go parents.

Normally it is so cold here, you do not want to sit outside, but today was nice.

As we leave, I see the Outreach team, talking with a group of gold star moms.
This is such a big part of the Run.  We need to let them know  that are not forgotten.
 Heading to the hotel this is on the front of a building.
This town show their patriotism and it is visible every day…
FREEDOM IS NOT FREE.
It was one of our longest days, and everyone looked pretty exhausted.  
Get some sleep and we start again tomorrow.
 
You prayer warriors are doing great.  Needles was under 90 and Williams was above 30.
 
 

Destination: Williams AZ

Temps: 53-88

Route: I10, I15, I40

Miles: 402

Quote for the day:

Freedom is not free