Day 07.  Cookeville, TN.  “Outreach Day”

Today is a day that is unique to the Midway Route.  We leave Ontario a day earlier than the other two Routes, so that we can spend an entire day here in Cookeville.  This City welcomes us as no other along our route.  Now don’t get me wrong: we are welcomed everywhere that we go, and we get such gracious support all along the way.  Each of our stops is special to us, and we cannot thank all of our hosts for their commitment to us and our Mission.

But then there is Cookeville.  It seems like the entire town lines the streets when we arrive.  Thousands of people are cheering and waving flags as we roll through the streets.  The Fire, EMS, and Police Services are seen everywhere with lights flashing, sirens blaring, and smiles on every face.  The Chamber of Commerce and the Tourism Board go all out to provide us with food, places to stay, and anything that we might need.  They really take care of us.

So a few years ago, the decision was made to “give back” just a little more to Cookeville.  We decided to spend two nights here instead of one, and to dedicate our “extra” day to doing outreach programs in the surrounding communities.  Each and every Rider gets an opportunity to go on a special outreach mission, of their choosing.  We have set up three locations, Veterans Cemeteries, VA Homes, and a Veterans Museum to visit.  Outreach programs are generally restricted to either two-wheel bikes or trikes, for safety issues.  (Some of these places are hard to get to.)  But for this day, EVERYONE can participate in an outreach program.  If you are on a trike, we have a place that you can easily get to.  If you are pulling a trailer, you can drop it off at the Hotel (there will be someone there to watch over it) and “ride easy” for the day.   We want to make sure that every Midway Rider gets to experience something special.

But as special as it is for our Riders, it means even more to the people that we visit.  Our Ambassador Team Leader, State Representative Ed Butler, has done an incredible job of setting these visits up, because he knows how much a short visit can mean to our aging or disabled Veterans.  Ed told us that last year, they met a Veteran that had not had a single visitor in years.  As the short time of the visit was drawing near, this Veteran sat up in his bed, even though it pained him with every movement, and saluted the group!  Another Veteran was so touched by the visit that he would not let our Ambassadors leave without writing them a check to help support us!

I cannot explain to you, the reader of these pages, how important our Outreach and Ambassador Teams are, not just to us as RFTW, but to the people whose lives we touch.  These two Teams are the lucky ones that get to personally feel and make a difference in the lives of our Veterans.  Every day, they are out there helping people, consoling people, making them smile, and letting them know that they are not forgotten: that some Americans still care about them and honor their service and sacrifice.

Folks, THIS is why we Ride!  This is what we do, and this is what is happening right now in Cookeville, Tennessee.  We do this so that we can bring healing and comfort to those that need it.  And by helping them, they are helping us.

I cannot put into words the thoughts and emotions of these Outreach programs any better than Mr Ed Butler himself, so the rest of this SITREP is going to be pictures and quotes from Ed’s Facebook page.  I urge each of you to visit Facebook and “follow” “State Representative Ed Butler.”

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RFTW Day 1

If you are interested in getting involved in the Run for the Wall event or similar events that honor and support veterans, there are several ways you can do so:

**Participate in the Ride**: If you are a motorcycle rider, you can join the Run for the Wall event or similar rides that support veterans. You can find information on their official website or social media channels about how to register and participate in the ride.

**Support the Riders**: Even if you are not a rider, you can still show your support by attending events along the route, waving flags on overpasses, volunteering at stops, or simply cheering on the riders as they pass through your area.

**Donate or Volunteer**: Many organizations that support veterans and active-duty military personnel are always in need of donations and volunteers. You can reach out to local veterans organizations or charities to see how you can contribute your time or resources.

**Raise Awareness**: Share information about events like Run for the Wall on social media, with friends and family, or in your community to help raise awareness and support for veterans and military personnel.

**Attend Ceremonies or Events**: You can also attend ceremonies, memorials, or events in your area that honor veterans and show your support for those who have served or are currently serving in the military.

By participating in these ways, you can contribute to honoring and supporting veterans and active-duty military personnel in your community and beyond.

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RFTW Day 2

Flagstaff, AZ to Albuquerque, NM. Our first stop was Winslow, AZ to stand on the corner and to stop at the Winslow 911 Memorial for a moment of reflection and remembrance. Next visit was to Milan Elementary. This visit is always a highlight for the Midway riders and the kids. The energy and excitement there is contagious! While in Milan we laid a wreath at the Veteran’s Memorial, honoring those who have served our country with courage and sacrifice.

Throughout the day, we made several fuel stops, and amidst it all, the Ambassadors, Outreach team, a couple of platoons, and road guards were warmly welcomed at VFW Post 2616 for a delicious meal. The hospitality and camaraderie among everyone there was truly heartwarming. Meeting Bert, a 99-year-old WWII and Korean War veteran, was a humbling experience.

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RFTW Day 3 was a day filled with both challenging weather and inspiring encounters. Despite the rain and hail, we pushed forward, visiting David J. Flores Veterans Center in Blue Hole New Mexico, groups of folks standing waving flags (some in the rain) and a Veterans Home in Amarillo where we met true heroes, individuals with remarkable military service records.

The day was a reminder of the sacrifices made by these brave men and women, and the importance of honoring their service. The highlight for me was the opportunity to meet some of these veterans, including a gentleman that had been a POW for 3 years and awarded 3 Purple Hearts. Another gentleman that was awarded 2 silver stars and 3 Purple Hearts and was a tunnel rat in Vietnam. I hope we made their day because they sure made mine.

The day ended with a sense of fulfillment, as we continue our mission to ride for those who can no longer ride themselves.

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**Daily Recap: RFTW Day 4**

Today, we rode from Amarillo, TX to Shawnee, OK under clear skies. Our highlight was visiting a Veterans Home in Oklahoma, where we honored several heroes, including a Silver Star and Purple Heart recipient.

One encounter deeply moved me: Retired Sergeant First Class Avery Hall, a Bronze Star recipient, insisted on making a donation to RFTW. Despite my assurances that it was unnecessary, he was determined. As we walked to his room, he shared how much our visit meant to him and his fellow residents, expressing his gratitude that was truly humbling.

We set out today to honor and encourage these veterans, but I left feeling far more touched by their gratitude and strength. First Sergeant Hall’s words and actions were a powerful reminder of the impact we have on each other, and the deep connections formed through moments of shared respect and honor.

While in Fort Sill we had the solemn honor of visiting Fort Sill National Cemetery. As we stood around the American Flag on top of the hill, we paid our respects to the brave men and women who have served our nation.

It was a humbling experience, reflecting on the sacrifices made by so many to protect our freedoms. Each name, each marker, is a reminder of the cost of our liberties.

We honored their memory with reverence, committing to always remember their courage and dedication. May we never forget the debt we owe to these heroes.

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Day 5 of the Run For The Wall (RFTW) journey from Shawnee, OK to Forrest City, AR was a day marked by a strong sense of community and support for our veterans. Riders stopped at overpasses along the route to express gratitude to supporters waving flags and offering encouragement. Generous hosts provided meals for lunch and dinner, embodying the spirit of hospitality and camaraderie that defines this journey.

The assistance of law enforcement, fire departments, and local community members was instrumental in ensuring the safety and success of our ride. Their unwavering support underscored the shared commitment to honoring and remembering our veterans, reflecting the values of service and unity that are central to the RFTW mission.

As we continued on our journey, each interaction with supporters and community members served as a reminder of the collective dedication to our cause. The day’s events highlighted the importance of coming together to express gratitude and support for those who have served our country, reinforcing the bonds of respect and remembrance that unite us on this meaningful journey.

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RFTW Day 6: A beautiful day to ride from Forrest City to Cookeville. I’m proud to be a Tennessean! This morning, we visited a TN Veterans home in Humboldt. These visits are always challenging, but our purpose is not for ourselves, but for them. We ride for those who can’t. We were able to revisit many of the residents this year. The resident who stood out to me last year, we made sure to visit today. Unfortunately, his health has declined, and he is now on hospice care. Despite how difficult it is for me to visit, the residents are so appreciative.

I also appreciate Commissioner Baker for joining us during our visit today. We had a fantastic lunch at Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Dickson. On our way into Cookeville, we passed under overpasses with numerous people showing their support. The journey down Jefferson is always truly amazing. Even though we arrived ahead of the pack, there were many individuals along the route cheering us on.

The law enforcement support across Tennessee is incredible. I want to express my gratitude to all the departments and agencies. During dinner, I had the honor of presenting a framed copy of HJR 733, which I carried this year, designating August 1st as Gold Star Children’s Day, to Gold Star son Bill Burkhart. Bill has joined us every year at Midway in Cookeville. I am thankful that Putnam County Mayor Randy Porter and Mayor Lauren Wheaton, along with the community, support our Veterans and Law Enforcement.

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In the weeks after our 2024 Mission has ended, I will gather up as many stories and phots as I can from our three outreach Missions today.  I will try to make a special post just to let you know how wonderful today is going to be for some of our Veterans.

Cheers!

Jim “Hoofer” McCrain
Midway Route SITREP Author