Today began dark and early. Breakfast was held at the Meridian, Age-Pavilion. After clean laundry was collected and stowed on bikes, riders chowed down on breakfast and soda! I love the south!
Morning rider’s briefing was held. All Platoon Leadership was brought up to the front and introduced as a group. We were then informed we would all be getting pink slips in three days. ARC, then invited riders to consider serving in a leadership position next year.
We then traveled on to the Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center. I try not to get personal in the sit-reps but tonight I have to make an exception. Today I met Sgt. Shane Strickland USMC, he served 2 tours in Afghanistan and 1 tour in Iraq. He suffered a spinal injury during a training accident.
When I walked up to the hospital, Shane was reclining in his special wheel chair. I could tell he suffered a serious spinal injury but I wasn’t sure of his mental state. During the pledge and national anthem he was making eyes at me. At that point I knew mentally he was in there. After the ceremonies were over I went up to meet him. He was so happy and was attempting to speak with those around him. I hung back a bit and when the crowds cleared, I stepped up to present him with one of our platoon pins. I took his hand, showed him the image of Joan of Ark and explained that this year there was an all female platoon Leadership. He thought that was just wonderful and gave the biggest grin. I bent down and kissed his cheek and hugged his shoulder.
THE COST OF FREEDOM CAN BE FOUND AT ANY VA HOSPITAL.
I have spend the remainder of the day thinking about Shane. Shane gave everything to his country. He will live the remainder of his days at the Tuscaloosa VA Hospital, mentally fine but physically unable to do much. Shane has no family, no one to visit him, send him birthday greetings, bake him a cake, remember him on the holidays. My heart breaks 😢.
Run for the Wall family, I ask you to think of Shane and send him a card or a gift to let him know he has not been forgotten. Cards, letters and gifts can be sent to:
Sgt Shane Strickland
3701 Loop Rd,
Tuscaloosa, AL 35404
From the VA Hospital we went on to the Piggily Wiggily. We encountered a nice rain shower en route to the Piggily. Didn’t stay long and off we went to navigate our way through down town Chattanooga during rush hour. Things went pretty smoothly, bumper to bumper traffic but the pack held it together and without mishap made it to the White Lightening Harley Davidson Dealer. A HUGE shout out to Ghostrider for doing a rolling block to get us off the highway, just in time.
Today I was pulled from my spot as 2nd Platoon leader to ride with Sergeant major, a Road Guard. I did not ask for this “opportunity”. Someone up the chain thought it would be a good idea for Platoon Leaders to see what the pack looks like and the ramifications of not riding in tight formation. This took me so far out of my comfort zone, I can’t even tell you! I experienced many riding firsts. Let me preface this by saying I live in Metropolitan Southern California, the concrete jungle. So today, I rode on grass for the first time. Took my bike off the pavement and onto the gravel and then back on the pavement for the first time. Went up a curb to a center divider and then off it on the other side. Made a u-turn on a highway on ramp. And went 5 over the speed limit 😝. I never knew “five over” was so fast.
I now know for certain, I NEVER want to be a road guard. I knew that already but… I have great respect for the road guards and the job they do. I am thankful they are willing to do the job and that they enjoy the heck out of it. I understand the need for platoons to stay tight. I hope I am not asked to ride with a road guard again. I’ll stay in my little Platoon bubble, they know me there and I like it.
I’ll write more about the ride tomorrow when I am not so emotional about coming face to face with the cost of freedom and so many riding firsts.
I love the run and the opportunity to meet so many American Heroes and love them. That’s why I am here, to love the veterans and to ride for those who can’t.
Tonight’s thought:
“The Bible says the angels of heaven are God’s Army; When you stand in Arlington, you know God has a damn good one.”
God speed and ride safe tomorrow.
DISCLAIMER: Too tired to proofread, deal with it. 😝
Due to circumstances beyond our control, Midway Route Photos from previous runs are no longer available. 
The Agri Pavilion humbled me again, today. As I walked into the place, I was told that someone was waiting for me to arrive and was asking if I was on the Run this year. I was approached by a young lady who told me she was the one who volunteered last year to drive her car to the Hydration Team’s hotel in search of my medical food. I felt bad for not remembering the incident even happened, due to my short-term memory loss while serving in the Air Force. She was very understanding and supportive as I struggled to piece together any vague recollection of last year’s hunt for the Hydration trailer. She explained that I was overly tired, weak and out of sorts as I was asking for directions to the hotel (like I was gonna remember anyway). 🙂 So, she took it upon herself to find my food while insisting that I stay and rest rather than ride with her. People are amazing!
Thank you for posting Sgt. Strickland’s address; I will send him a card.