Good evening Mid Route followers and family. Today was a special and charged up ride. So buckle up for a long SITREP filled with a very busy day.
This morning we met up in the parking lot behind Waffle House and conducted an early morning Sunday service.
Can you believe it? This is already day 6 of our 11 day ride across this great nation; over half way done.
As we brought together everyone to include our 21 new riders to the family; YES 21! WOW!
The family meeting started with MAZZ reading a Missing Man bio of the late Peter ‘Greenie’ Green, a fellow Road Guard that became a part of the ‘22’ last year almost to the day. Emotions were high, stories were told, and memories shared. One of Greenie’s, or as others may have known him as ‘Gearshift’, his favorite pastime was to arrive at the assembly point in the mornings with ‘We are Family’ blaring from his speakers as he rode around the group and lined up in place.
For those that are unaware, our family meetings are to discuss the activities of the day as well as safety discussions, messages, and words of encouragement. Today’s safety topic was ‘stress’ and how folks are doing prior to, during and after each ride, especially as we get closer to our mission’s end. Emotional stressors as well physical stressors are a real concern with everyone on the ride as well as why it is so important to have family around that folks can trust. The hardest one of all is medical stress, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD, also known originally as ‘Shell Shock’ is a real thing that so many veterans have for so many different reasons. Watching, supporting, and a simple ‘how are you doing?’ question can mean the difference between light and darkness. And for folks that do not understand 22 Veterans, the phrase “22 veterans” refers to the estimated average number of U.S. military veterans who die by suicide each day. Please spread the word and awareness on this. If you or someone you know is in a position and are considering suicide, help is available. Speak with someone today.
Please contact the Veteran Crisis Helpline by dialing 988 and press 1, chat online or even send a text to 838255 and speak with someone 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, both English and Spanish.
Yesterday our family set 2 NEW speed records at the fuel pumps.
This first was the slowest record as the pumps were filling on average one bike every 3-5 minutes.
The second was the fastest time at the pumps with fueling 230 bikes in 8 minutes and 42 seconds. Now this time for Day 5 is really great! Way to go Midway Route!
As for the Military Challenge held every morning, the Air Force has pulled ahead.
To lighten the mood the entire Road Guard Team demonstrated hand signals in front of the entire family, and once they got to an agreement of which signal everyone was giving at the same time, brought a great reminder as well as new information to all of our new riders. It was especially comical when the signal for help by performing jumping jacks with the entire team on the trailer while causing everyone else the need to hold as both trailer and truck looked as if going over a rough patch of potholes.
As a storm to our west displayed dark clouds and a few bolts of lightning, everyone mounted up and hit the road east, into clear blue skies and the rising sun.
Once the pack reached the Tennessee line at the Mississippi River, Tennessee State and Highway Patrol along with Memphis PD met and escorted us over the bridge and through the major metro area, closing off all exits and on ramps to ensure a clean and clear ride through town.
Our first fuel stop was at Pilot Travel Stop with great hospitality in Stanton, TN, a brand new station built and placed into service within the last year.
As we crossed the Tennessee River and 122 miles later we arrived at the Love’s Truck Stop just before our favorite Baked Potato lunch stop at Dickson’s very own Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
The skies had become overcast with temperatures hovering around 94 degrees, but the mood and spirits were high as we knew our next stop was in Dickson, TN.
As we were escorted through town in a parade with the townsfolk lining the streets, cameras were out both on the bikes and in the crowds, live Facebook and YouTube videos flooding the net.
The reception at Cumberland Presbyterian was overwhelming with Dickson Fire Chief, Police representatives and a very large gathering of the congregation to help and volunteer. Family reunions and first meetings, old friends and new, the love shown and shared throughout the entire town Dickson, this stop is truly a Good-Will Tour.
As we gathered to leave, bittersweet goodbyes, hugs and prayers, promises of keeping in touch as well as blessings of a safe trip were given.
With an eastern route taken back to the interstate with a continuous police escort we soon found ourselves in Nashville on a route up and around with full lane closures in effect.
One final fuel stop at Uncle Pete’s near Lebanon found ourselves heading towards our final stop in Cookeville, TN. With overpasses filled, flags waving, and a Sheriff’s helicopter flyover that followed us all the way into town brought such a feverish high in everyone both riding and watching.
The night just began at the newly built Putnam County Convention Center where food was served in a very well air conditioned meeting hall, welcome speeches delivered by the City and County Mayors, invocation by Pastor Bob Sotis, followed by Posting of the Colors with the Cookeville High School JROTC. A beautifully sung National Anthem by Kim Butler and Pledge of Allegiance led by Phil Friedli.
Ed Butler presented a RFTW Resolution from the State of Tennessee establishing the May 14th through the 24th, 2025 officially Run for the Wall Week in Tennessee.
Finally to everyone’s long anticipation, the Cheesecake was unveiled for auction. Last year’s record setting auction sold the cheesecake at almost $1800 with an intent to break the record again this year, and we were not disappointed.
As usual, the bidding started off slow, 200, then 300, 500, then 800. 1000 was reached and groups were starting to form within the hall, Outreach vs the Road Guards. All focus was on these two tables as the stakes were raised ever so slightly with each call.
1,200 turned to 1,300.
1,400, then 1,500.
1,600 went to 1,700. Then 1,800 was called with taunts given to each table of whether or not they would let the opposition outbid them.
It was also explained that all of the funds raised were being donated to schools and organizations along the route.
Folks were getting up now and jumping to one or the other groups, adding to the pot that each one had to keep the stakes raising.
1,900 went to 2,000, then 2,500, 3,000, and riding up to 4.
When it started to look like a winner was getting close, Ed Butler suggested combining the two groups for an all time record of $7,500 for the 2025 RFTW Cheesecake auction. Check out Facebook, many phones were out and recording the event, a video well worth watching.
Gibson Guitars, blankets, knives and many other items were also auctioned off, reaching a grand total of over $11,600.
Live entertainment was also brought in by Second Time Around Band that played to the likings of the crowd.
Today was a very, very full day to say the least.
Tomorrow will bring our second day in Cookeville as we breakout to three different outreaches; Sunbright Veterans Memorial, Southside Elementary School in Lebanon with a secondary stop at Wilson County Veterans Memorial, or a final outreach choice of Tennessee State Veterans Home in Murfreesboro.
Sorry for the lengthy SITREP but I feel it is important in passing on everything that we do, impacts in the community and the stories made while on this mission.
Let’s see what ventures tomorrow will bring our family.
Written by STITCH. Photos by Kim Butler
Due to circumstances beyond our control, Midway Route Photos from previous runs are no longer available. 