Once again the bikes are silent, the sun is setting and the fireflies begin to light up in the fields around Forrest City, AR. Day five for the Midway Route family has come to an end.
As the day began in Shawnee, OK in the Walmart parking lot, the Military Branch Challenge was passed around, raffles and donations for the ride were collected, and a very special guest was then brought on stage, a Vietnam Veteran and wife. She had brought with her a letter written by him in 1970 from Vietnam and read it to the riders with as much emotion today as if she were reading it for the first time. It went to show the love and support a military family had for each other then as they do now in every way.
As every morning begins, a bio of a Veteran Hero is read aloud and then asked for a volunteer to take to the wall, either in Washington D.C., or Marseilles, IL., reminding us why we ride. Today’s Hero was Staff Sgt David A. Wyatt, United States Marine Corps of the M Battery, 5th Battalion, 14th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, Marine Forces Reserve in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Once everyone got started up on the road, the sun showed the eastern Oklahoma countryside with the continuous rolling hills and oak trees that lined the roads.
Our first stop for fuel was in Sallisaw, OK after 122 miles of riding, our second longest leg of the entire trip. As we began the fueling process, we can definitely say that we set another record in refueling time, however it was not in the way of a speed record, but rather on how slow the pumps were running. But the station personnel helped us along by opening more pumps to help push folks through in a more efficient manner, well given the circumstances anyway.
After a delay on what was only supposed to be. 45 minutes stop, everyone was refueled and on the road again, this time towards Ozark and then Russellville, AR.
The most impressive aspect during the ride was once we hit the Arkansas border, just about every overpass had supporters on them and cheering us on. There was even one that had a lone individual standing with a flag from what looked to be from his front porch, holding it proudly and saluting as we rode under. Fire trucks, utility vehicles, even a tow truck was spotted, all with First Responders, civilians, children, adults, and folks from all walks of life, taking their time to come out and stand, wave, cheer, and even salute as we rode by. You couldn’t help but feel proud of the patriotism being displayed, even developing a lump in your throat as you rode by.
Once we arrived in Russellville, we were escorted to Veterans Park where lunch had been prepared for us by many volunteers of the community. Smoked chicken, green beans, mashed potatoes, corn, rolls, deserts, all homemade and prepared for us; an absolute overwhelming gesture of appreciation for what we are doing.
A special tribute and appreciation was paid to Mr. and Mrs. Wyatt, parents of today’s Hero bio David A. Wyatt as they attended today’s lunch in remembrance of their son.
As you walk the grounds of Veterans Park, you begin to see other Heroes and their plaques lining the sidewalks and a small monument at the entrance to the park paying ‘tribute to those members of the armed forces who served honorably in all wars and conflict’.
It was described this morning that we all had a sacred mission tasked with us. It was also discussed throughout the day in several different ways that these veterans on the Midway Route have long since laid down their arms, tools and armament, and now are seen and heard by the sounds of their motors revving by on their way to DC, the now ‘silent warriors’ on sacred missions; of healing, resolution, or just even the need for accountability.
Our family bid thank you and farewell until next year to the Russellville community and pressed on towards Little Rock for a quick fuel stop where folks learned that humidity comes with the heat in the southern and mid-southern states. Sleeves and shirts were doused with cool water while finding the rich commodity of shade in a parking lot.
A 100 miles down the road, Ridgewood Baptist Church of Forrest City, AR welcomed us with open arms, smiles and hugs as families reunited after a year of being away.
A huge spread of fried chicken, mash potatoes, corn, biscuits and desserts were waiting as we walked inside and were treated to posting of the colors by the Wynne JROTC, comments of gratitude and thanks from Mayor Larry Bryant and Fire Chief, Jeremy Sharp.
To wrap the evening up, Mr. Eric Horner performed a live concert with ‘Proud To Be An American’ and many other songs that were dear to the hearts and souls of everyone. This included the 21 new registered riders, yes you read that correctly, 21! Our family continues to grow.
So tonight I close this SITREP with a reminder, our Midway Route family is strong, compassionate, and forgiving. It will figure things out, make them work, and above all, it will make sure that no one gets left behind or forgotten.
Let’s see what kind of ventures tomorrow will bring us.
Written by STITCH. Photos by Kim Butler.
Due to circumstances beyond our control, Midway Route Photos from previous runs are no longer available. 