Today is the day we go to Rainelle. We have worked all week to raise money for the kids there. It is hard to describe the feeling you get when you get there.
Nick thought he came the farthest to be on the Run since he traveled from Hawaii, but there is a couple here from the Netherlands. He has been a professor at a military academy since 2010. He has been reading up on this mission for a long time and decided to take it. This morning, he told everyone that he will be back and bring lots more of his friends.
We rode pass the Vietnam Memorial in Nitro…
Several of our teams have stopped to salute the Run as we roll in.
As we enter, there is a young man standing, saluting as the pack passes. He has been standing there for the Run every year since he was one. He is now 19 and will remain standing until all have arrived.
His grandmother worked in one of the buildings in the capital. The grandmother’s husband is a Vietnam vet. He served from 1966-1969. One year actually in Vietnam as a radio operator.
They have been married for 52 years. I admire all the women who have stayed with their husbands from the Vietnam War (or any war). They too have suffered. Many of our soldiers have changed and have problems with coping yet the spouses have stayed with them. Thanks ladies. This goes also for any women that served. Thanks, guys, for sticking with your wives.
There is a gold star wall in Charleston. It is the first Gold Star Families Memorial Monument. It is beautiful.
Fun Fact:
There is a second monument:
\
It is a beautiful ride up to Rainelle. Thank goodness we did not have rain.
Enjoy the ride, the supporters along the way
and the kids once we get to the top of the mountain.
Even though it is only 70 miles, it will take about 2 hours to get there.
Lots of windy roads but so enjoyable since I am a passenger. 🙂
This kid is waving for all he is worth. I think the flag is bigger than he is.
The kids so embrace this and what a history education
Ron always has his shirt for them to sign. Looks like one of the riders is getting in on the action.
This is so true.
It is like Halloween but no candy.
Jefferey Scott Angel II
Gauley Bridge, West Virginia, US Army SGT, C Co, 4th Bn, 101st Aviation Regt, 159th CAB, 101st Airborne Division. Skyline, US, 09/11/2007
Sergeant Jeffrey Scott Angel II joined the Army in November 2002 and arrived at Fort Campbell May 2003. He had been to Iraq 3 times but was killed along with two other soldiers in a training mission in Alabama on September 11, 2007 as he was preparing to go overseas for the fourth time
The three Soldiers were traveling in a helicopter that went down at approximately 7 p.m. near Skyline, Ala., in Jackson County, on September 11. They were flying from Fort Campbell to Chattanooga Municipal Airport in Chattanooga at the time of the crash.
His awards and decorations include the Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon and the Army Aviator badge.
He was a graduate of Valley High School at Smithers, where he was a quarterback for Valley’s football team and captain of its baseball team. Besides playing football and baseball, Scott also loved hunting deer and fishing.
Angel (age 24), of Gauley Bridge, W.Va., was a Black Hawk helicopter repairer. He leaves behind a wife and daughter, and his parents.
As we are eating lunch, it is raining. Glad it waited until we got here. Thanks again for all the prayer warriors that pray for our safe travels.
Kim is the principal here. She runs a tight ship, and you can tell the kids really respect her.
All the kids are in the tent along with some of the riders.
The music teacher gets on the speaker and asks the kids to stand
as they are going to sing the Star-Spangled Banner.
Great thing……all the riders joined… darn allergies. This was soo cool.
RFTW presented Kim with our donation… She is about in tears. This money is used for so many things: field trips, new playground equipment, computers, school supplies…..
Temps: 63-70
Route: I-64E, Rt 60
Miles: 121
Quote: The Price of Freedom is Written on the Wall
Tears are flooding around over here… Wow the photos are priceless, thank you so much for sharing all of this. Brings back so many wonderful memories from my ride in 2018’… Hoping to make it next yr. So glad all is going so well for everyone.
ALL THE WAY !!!