
06:30. Location: A large parking lot in Ontario, California. A bugle sounds “Call to the Colors.” Immediately, all conversations stopped, 250+ Riders and 100 or more visitors turned to the sound, and rendered honors to our Flag. As soon as the call ended, everyone quickly moved forward towards the stage. The National Anthem was played and we said the Pledge of Allegiance to our Flag. Announcements were made, Dignitaries and RFTW Board of Directors were introduced. Plans for the day were discussed, and then the Riders broke into their individual Platoons for further instructions. Minutes later, engines were started and the bikes moved out. As they passed underneath a fifty-foot American Flag, Run For The Wall Midway Route 2024 was finally underway.
As we rode through the streets of Ontario and approached the highway, I wondered what was going through the minds of our FNGs. (Fine New Guys/Gals.) I remembered the first time that I rode underneath that flag, a dozen years ago. I was nervous, felt a little out-of-place, unsure if I was ready for this “adventure” both physically and mentally. Only time would tell.
As the morning progressed, I started to feel more comfortable with the close formation riding, but not really comfortable enough to enjoy it. (That would come later.) As I watched the Road Guards work in a carefully orchestrated dance with their machines, I realized just how much time and thought had been put into keeping us safe. The Road Guards worked in conjunction with the local Police force, controlling intersections and on-ramps so that our “pack” wouldn’t have to stop or worry about traffic congestion. These people that I had been getting to know for only a couple of days suddenly took on a completely different attitude and demeaner. Listening to their conversations and instructions of the CB radio was amazing. The professionalism and dedication of the Road Guards quickly became apparent.
An hour into the ride, we made a detour onto an active Marine Base, and paraded through the middle of it. Again, the streets were lined with spectators. But this time, they were in uniforms and fatigues. I was astonished that our Active Duty Military would be so excited to see us roll through their base. But there they were, cheering just as loudly as our other supporters had.
But all of a sudden, we had left the Base and were on an original section of the famous Route 66. We wound through the country side for a few miles, undulating up and down as the road followed the natural contours of the terrain, just as it was before the big interstate highways were created. “This is kind of fun” was my thought … until we got to a fuel stop.
That’s where a whole new type of organized chaos appeared.
The carefully constructed platoon system was broken down in a matter of seconds. People in yellow hats waving big orange flags started directing Riders “randomly” (it seemed) towards various lanes at a fuel pump. As soon as I got stopped, I was told to turn off my bike, open my tank, and pump my own gas. A nozzle was then handed to me, directly from the tank of the bike next to me. Before I had even started pumping the fuel, that guy was gone and someone else pulled up in his place. When my tank was full, the nozzle was taken away from me and I was told to “start it up and pull forward.”
That’s when I met the folks wearing blue hats. They had the same orange flags, but now I was being directed to a “staging area.” Before I knew it, I had been directed to a spot that had been reserved specifically for my Platoon. And then the chaos was over. I could now walk to the hydration trailer where a guy wearing a white hat handed me a bottle of water and a bag of chips. He smiled at me and said something like “Well FNG, what do you think so far?” I mumbled something about “This is crazy!” And then we both smiled.
This morning, I saw that same “deer in the headlights” look on the faces of the 2024 FNG group. I heard them talking amongst themselves, saying almost exactly the same things that I had said so many years ago. And I saw them smile and heard them laugh. The anxiety of the Run was quickly fading away. By the time we had done this two more times for the day, these FNGs were riding and operating like professionals. It was fun to watch them progress throughout the day.
But that was just the physical part of the day. Remember me saying something about being mentally ready? That aspect of the Run popped up very quickly. In fact, immediately! Run For The Wall does not move qn inch with those bikes unless we have a Missing Man Formation ready. The whole point of our Mission is to “ride for those that can’t” and to provide support, healing and comfort to the Families of our Missing in Action and Killed in Action personnel. We do this with the Missing Man Formation.
The MMF consists of six Riders. Two in the front, two in the back, and two in the middle. Except that one of those two middle positions is empty. The empty space represents that sixth rider, that physically cannot be with us. We guard that empty space zealously. No one enters it, walks through it, rides over it, or moves into it, even when we are rolling down the highway. The space may seem empty, but the memories of a Fallen Friend or Family Member fill it in the hearts and minds of all of the Riders. Indeed, before the pack begins to move, our Missing Man Coordinator announces over the airwaves the name of our Missing Man, and a little information about them.
The point of honor, that middle position next to the empty space, is emotionally draining. Every Rider talks about how hard it is to ride their bike with eyes filled with tears. They mention that thoughts from years gone by, memories lost in time, come flooding back, sometimes with a visceral vengeance that makes the Rider physically break down sobbing. But in a moment of peace, the sorrow is lifted, and the good memories are what is left. Healing enters the Rider, followed by joy. These emotions are felt and shared by each and every Rider. Because we know that “This is why we Ride.”
Say Their Names!
To help the Riders deal with these emotions, we have a full Chaplain Corp. There is one Chaplain that rides in the Formation every day. He/She is there to offer comfort to the Escort Rider. The Escort Rider is offered small tokens to help them remember both the pain and the joy, because without one, there could not be the other. For each of the four Run For the Wall routes, the Missing Man Chaplain has a donated “Military Bible Stick” for each Escort Rider. This is a small MP3 player with a narrated version of the New Testament Bible on it. The Rider doesn’t have to take it if they don’t want to. But very few ever refuse it. In fact, it has been reported to me that some Riders have stated that they aren’t believers, but they then gratefully accept the “stick” and start listening to it. They also start talking to their fellow Riders about their experiences, drawing strength from the fact thqt others have faced the same sort of horrors and losses. The Riders heal each other!
And I saw that happen today, as well.
Folks, this is what Run For the Wall is all about. We help each other deal with difficulties, traumatic experiences, loneliness, PTSD, the loss of a friend or family member, that sense of abandonment that many Veterans feel. In our Midway Route Family, they find kindred spirits that truly want to help out a Brother or Sister, because they just might need some help themselves. For those of us that aren’t Veterans, we get to see the healing process take place, and are welcomed into the Family just as much as the Veterans are. The Civilians/Patriots offer proof that our Country hasn’t abandoned our Military, and that their fellow countrymen DO care. We are all a part of this amazing process.
Once our FNGs have heard the names of our Missing a time or two, and have started talking to each other about their experiences, a change quickly starts to come over the entire group. Remember how earlier I called this a “ride” and an “adventure”? By the end of the first day, every fully understands that it is so much more than that: We are on a Mission. And that is how I will refer to Run For The Wall from now on.
I want to take a moment to Thank all of the wonderful people and organizations that support us in our Mission. We get fed. We get some donated fuel. We get hugs. People line the overpasses and city streets to cheer us as we quickly ride by. We have Law Enforcement escorts. We don’t do this Mission on our own. We COULDN’T do this Mission on our own. Thank You, each and every one, for what you do for the Midway Route of Run For The Wall.
Well, it’s late, and I need to get some sleep. I have looked at our itinerary for tomorrow, and it is going to be busy. There will be a lot of miles to cover, a lot of people and places to visit, and more camaraderie to enjoy and participate in. Let’s hope that all those wonderful FNGs get a good nights rest. We have more to come!
Cheers!
Jim “Hoofer” McCrain
Midway Route Photographer and SITREP Author
Follow this link to see a few photos from todays journey. And come back once the Run is over. I will upload several hundred more for each day!