Day –2, Sunday May 13, 2018
Starting a couple of days early, hope that’s okay with all y’all. Except I don’t have an awful lot to report, but here goes nothing. I left St. George, UT this morning after saying goodbye to my wife. She doesn’t ride much, but lets me go, if I complete all the honey-dos on her list, which I did and there weren’t that many. I called her after church got out. She said, “You miss me already?” I said I did. We talked about everything. My wife asked me if I was rooming with the same friend again this year and I said I was. She asked if I thought he would already be checked in at the hotel with a cold Diet Coke waiting for me like previous years and I said probably. She laughed. We both know friends like that are few and far between. I’m the lucky one.
This post actually started yesterday at Zion Harley Shop in Hurricane, UT. I went to help with the weekly barbecue. The Christian Motorcycle Association was there. They are known for many benevolent activities, one of which is the annual Biker Blessing. I talked with a lady named Maria and I mentioned that on this same day in the town I moved to Utah from, the Biker Blessing was being conducted so I would miss it. Maria indicated that her husband Phil could help me, so I went and talked with him. I told Phil about Run For The Wall, basically being a long ride across the country offering healing to all riders and promoting awareness to POWs and MIAs from all wars. He indicated he would be happy to offer a blessing for me. He proceeded with a fine prayer for my safety on the road. Phil asked God to provide me and my bike with safety and for a safe return. I was grateful for his words and I felt God’s watchful care over me and my bike. As I rode toward Ontario, there were several times I thought God was helping me be safe. Thank you God and please be with all the riders on Run For The Wall until we all arrive home safe in the and arms of our loved ones.
The weather riding into Ontario was beautiful and traffic not bad, being Mother’s Day. As I rode past the host hotel, coming the other direction was a familiar face, one with a cigar protruding out his mouth. Many of you probably know who I’m talking about. I waved and he pointed at me recognizing me as well. It’s already begun. Run For the wall is an event that gets under your skin and it feels good.
I went to check into the hotel; only to find my roommate was already there and had a Diet Coke on ice for me. It doesn’t get any better than that. It was so good to see him again. As I walked around the host hotel, familiar faces were everywhere and the hugs were nonstop. It is so good to see so many of my friends again. This is part of the reason I do Run For The Wall. There are so many parts it would be a long list. One of my friends showed me into Registration where more familiar faces with big smiles and more hugs greeted me. Happy does not quite describe the feeling. The Midway Registration Team is amazing and brought homemade cookies. They got me checked in quick. I saw quite a few friends from last year when I was Platoon 6 Leader. They were back for more this year, but I was reassigned to another platoon this year. No matter, we’ll still see a lot of each other. One of my former platoon members mentioned he brought me a gift and went to retrieve it. When he returned I was surprised to see he brought me a dream catcher made by Cherokee Indians and it was my color blue. I was overwhelmed at such a thoughtful act, one that had particular significance to me.
All the route vendor trucks were set up outside and open for business. Everything is there to help everyone interested in commemorating Run For The Wall. Stop by and check out the Geedunk.
Here’s the Pre-Run Itinerary if you haven’t seen it already. https://rftw.us/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/RFTW-Itinerary-2018-Ontario-Update-Rev3.pdf. Please check out what’s going on. Some stuff is mandatory. Monday is a big day. There will be hundreds of bikers riding in and there is a lot of coordinating that needs to happen. All the activity in preparing for the Run kicks into high gear tomorrow. We have been waiting and saying “Is it May yet”, for a long time. Well it’s here. Are you ready for Run For The Wall?
“We Ride For Those That Can’t”
Tom “Twotone” Lystrup – Platoon 5 Leader / Midway Route SitRep Writer
I’d appreciate your comments. lystruptf@gmail.com
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