It’s hard to believe November is here! The month we give thanks for family, friends, health… This past month has taken a toll on our Southern Route, with the sudden loss of way too many of our RFTW family. I have seen many touching tributes and dedications and truly believe that those great Americans live on through the lives they touched. Our hearts and prayers are with all those who love them, as these brave souls move on to their final mission. We are all better people for having had the opportunity to know every one of them.
With that loss comes a greater responsibility for us all to take up and share the load of our mission and to use it to inspire the next generation of patriotic riders to join our ranks. This mission heals, it shines light into the darkest of times and has saved lives. “Riding For Those Who Can’t”, does not have to mean riding only for our 1600 MIA’s still waiting to return to American soil from Vietnam. Instead, we ride for all our fallen soldiers lost in war, those warriors who made it home, but left a piece of themselves behind, and those we have lost due to health issues and also to tragedy. And we ride for the loved ones who grieve their absence.
This family builds bridges and fills the empty spaces of the hearts of those in the shadow of loneliness. Donna Elliot, the longtime supporter of RFTW and MIA sister, lost her battle with cancer. The mission touched her life and helped to fill the gap left by her brother Jerry Williams Elliott, Staff Sergeant, missing in Vietnam since 12/21/68. Her dying wish was to be escorted to her place of rest by as many RFTW brothers and sisters as possible, because her mission to find her brother, our mission to ride for those who can’t, meant the world to her. She got her wish because she too has blessed the lives of so many on this Run. Thank you to all who made the trip to her service, as I know you were joined in spirit by many more.
So we give thanks. We are grateful for the service of those who have and continue to fight for our freedom, as well as the loved ones who wait for their return. We are thankful for the mission that unites our paths and helps to bind together this incredible and unique group of misfits we call family.
“Ride With Heart”
Chad (Slacker) O’Dell
Southern Route Coordinator 2018
