Today was a picture perfect day to ride, azure blue skies, white fluffy clouds, shirt sleeve temperatures and wild flowers galore🌸🌺🌼🌻!
The day began at the Odessa, TX American Legion Post 430 with a delicious breakfast of eggs, sausage, bacon, biscuits and gravy. Yum – Yum!
MIA daughter “Hoops” introduced KIA son that she met on the internet. In the attached video he explains who is father and why he has a destroyer named after him:
Donald G. Cook, P.O.W., died in captivity in South Vietnam, Saigon. His son W. Thomas Cook is the man speaking, accompanied by his son, Donald G. Cook and daughter Cleo Cook. Thank you for sharing your personal family experience.
Why we ride!
We went to bed worrying about a tornado warning but when we woke, the storm had crossed our path and moved further north. Made for beautiful day with only puddles visible.
We rode a short ten miles to the Permian Basin Memorial, a beautiful Vietnam Memorial. Southern route honor guard coordinator has gone above and beyond. He had custom vests made, and had the military patches sewn on, to represent all the military branches. He also included white gloves, another symbol of respect. Check out how how nice they look in these photos. Thank you Chaplain Bill, you rock!!!!
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We lunched in Colorado City at the the Rail Head City building. The Sweetwater Municipal Band performed live music. One of my favorite was the playing of the theme song for each military branch. Makes me cry, every time!
Many riders ended the day with a massage at the Dubiski Career High School, including me. The perfect ending to a beautiful day. This is my sixth year on the run and nobody ever told me about this secret massage section. Thanks Roadrunner for cluing me in!
Yeah! hooray! We have an Ambassador’s report. Took a little technological maneuvering but we did it!
“Today Ambassadors were honored to visit the WASP WWII Museum in Sweetwater, Tx. In 1942 women answered the call of their country & joined the Women Air Force Service Pilots. They trained male pilots in flying high powered pursuits & bomber aircraft. Today there are 36 surviving women ranging in age 96 to 103.”
“The Ambassadors, with humility & the greatest honor, dedicated RFTW Memorial Wreaths to 2 Medal Of Honor recipients in Odessa, Texas.
Alfred Wilson, Corporal, Marine, in action against hostile forces in Vietnam gallantly gave his life for his country. His courage, valor & selfless devotion to duty upheld the highest traditions of the U.S. Marines.
Marvin Young, Staff Sargent, Army, distinguished himself at the cost of his life in Vietnam, while serving as a squad leader reflecting great credit to his unit & the U.S. Army.
Let us never forget.”
In closing:
“The soldier is the Army. No Army is better than its soldiers. The soldier is also a citizen. In fact, the highest obligation and privilege of citizenship is that of bearing arms for one’s country.” General George S. Patton
We ride for those who can’t.
