May 16, 2023 - In Ontario - Prepare to Ride Tomorrow

 May 16, 2023 – In Ontario – Prepare to Ride Tomorrow

We had another beautiful day today!! 60 degrees.

NOTE: First time riders are called FNGs = Fine new guy/gal.   We welcome them to the RFTW family.  When we see one (they wear pins that have FNG) they get hugs…..

Pretty cool to be one as everyone comes to hug you.

  

******************************************************* 

As I write this every day, I thought I would give you the definition of roles people play to get us cross country.  I have also listed the number of how many for each.  Here is a list you may want to reference.  Remember these are all volunteers.

TEAMS (ahead of the pack)

• Advanced road guard - 10 = first to go out and confirm there are no issues on the roads. Ex: detours, traffic issues, … even have been known to clear some debris off the road to keep us safe.  They will also be the ones at all road exchanges, so everyone makes the turns.

• Staging - 25 = Get to the next stop ahead of the pack and set up for each platoon to be staged 

• Fuel - 20 = They get to the gas station and clear all pump for the platoons to come in.  There is no one at the gas pump when we arrive.  They, along with the road guars, direct the pack how to get to the pumps and leaving the pumps

• Ambassador - 15 = Thanking the people on the bridges or in the towns for coming out and supporting the Run.

• Hydration - 6-8 - They carry water, Gatorade, snacks and are at every gas stop.  All donated by someone or organization

• Registration - 8 = In every city, they are there when we arrive, and every morning before we leave.   Since not everyone can ride 10 days, many will ride only a few days.  This team gets them signed up.

• Merchandise team - 2 = travels with the Run selling t-shirts and other trinket

• Photographer- 1 =Takes pictures along the way and post to the web site

• Raffle Rousers- 2-4 = This team will be working all the riders prior to the morning meeting. This is where we will be running 50/50, auctions,.. as our way to raise money.

• Outreach Team

This team will visit Gold Start families.  They will go to the family and as they get there, each team member introduces themselves.  They will express their condolences for their loss and thank them for service and sacrifice to their country. The Pledge of Allegiance is said and a RFTW pin is given to the family members.  There is also a Gold Star patch and a certificate of appreciation from RFTW.  A green bracelet is also given as a symbol of hope.  They will pray with them and many times cry with them.  Thanks, Outreach, for your time with our Gold Star families.

The Pack Formation:

• Road guard - 30-35 = they have many jobs: stop traffic on all entrance ramps, guides us thru towns at each intersection, help direct at fuel stops, and whatever it takes to keep us safe.

• Missing man -6 - Route Coordinator (RC), state coordinator, person representing the missing man, missing man coordinator, chaplain.

• Leadership - 6-8 = Assistant Route coordinator (ARC), mentor (this is the RC from last year), leadership, any dignitary, .... this changes daily. Could be the mayor, POW... we never know who will be there from leg to leg.

• • State coordinator - Total 10 for the length of the run. Usually, 1 -2 per state. They will work with the local police, state highway patrol, sheriff for escort prior to the Run.  Also coordinates with the local town for our meal stops. So, during the run, they will ride in the leadership group while going thru their state.

• Platoons - 15-20 = each platoon has a platoon leader, assistant platoon leader and 2 tail gunners.  In the middle are all the participants.  There are usually 10-12 platoons.

• Communication team - 2 = talk to truckers and 1 in back of the pack. 

• Medical team - 3-4 = there for any injuries or illnesses

• Chaplains - 3-4 = this is a very key role.  Many are on this for healing.  Many remember comrades lost in war.  This is a very emotional trip for everyone. 

• Last man - 1 - conveys to RC when the last bike is on the road/ expressway

• Sit Rep Reporter - 1 - This person gives a summary of the day 

• Chase vehicles - 3 = They have trailers and will pick up anyone running out of gas (yes this does happen) or breakdowns.

===============

Totals:

If you add all this up, it is around 140 people that have roles.

Participants = 15-20 per platoon - so 200-250 

At any given time, we are at 350-450 riding as a unit.

Additional Terms: 

Blue Star Family - a family with a member currently serving in the Armed Forces of the United States

Gold Star Family - family member that has died during a Military Operation

*******************************************************

Our day started with going over to Lot D where the Midway route was staging.  This is the first time I am able to see the pack leave since all the other times I am in the pack.

Pledge of Allegiance and prayer.

Morning meeting to get the day started.

Everyone on their bikes, start them up.

Road guard will lead the pack.

Respect as they leave the lot.

As we head to our first meeting of the day, I see one of the road guards.  His road name is "Boots".  Funny because that is the name of our street.  

Our meeting today is for the FNGs. The Marine Corp Band is playing as we get in the Elks Lodge.  They are amazing.  

We will go over some of the processes of how the Run works and the roles of the teams listed above.  Paul asks several of the team leaders to speak.  Here is the fuel team.  Gas stops can be very intimidating. After the first 2-3, you get used to it.

Kirk, "Pretty Boy", is the road guard leader.  His last comment to the FNGs:

"You are our packages, and it is our job to get you to DC safely".  

So please do what they ask.

Steve, staging leader comments that "they put as many as the can on a postage stamp as possible".  It is unbelievable how they get so many bikes in such small parking lots, or streets.

Jenny, "Lady Jen", explains about the fund raising that is done all the way across our great United States.  We donate to schools and other organizations all the way across. It is also carried out throughout the year.  One of the big organizations is "Homes For Our Troops". This organization builds homes for disabled veterans.  And there is no mortgage.  Just an example of how your donation is used. 

There is fund raising team : raffle rousers.

Duane, our lead chaplain, talks about this is a healing mission for many. They are there for anyone and anytime.  He also used the expression " your allergies may really kick up".  

The Chase team has the best quote, "NO one gets left behind".

We actually have 2 active-duty people riding with us.  This does not happen too often.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.

This reminds me.  During your day-to-day activities, if you see someone that serves, is a veteran, a police officer, a fireman..... take a few minutes to THANK them.  They all put their lives on the line for us, the least we can do is go shake their hand.  (PS I will probably remind you of this multiple times ☺)

Now we head over to Lot D ( where Midway left from this morning).  It is kind of a practice run for staging and FNGs.  This is where the platoon leaders and the platoons can introduce themselves.  The platoon leader goes into more detail of what is expected of everyone in the platoon.

Here is part of the Raffle Rouser team: Lance, Jean, Courtney, Sarah.  I hope to get pics of the others as the days go on.

Also I saw one of the coolest bikes so far:

I will be riding with my husband. He is the assistant platoon leader. My brother Ron and his daughter will be riding in the platoon leader's spot. We are in Platoon 1.

As we rode back from dinner, I captured a neat sunset.

**************

In 2017, at our final meeting prior to leaving, Kelly Anderson “Deano” (on the staging team) sang a song that really stuck with me for all these years.  I asked him to give me the lyrics.  Remember this is from the standpoint of a Vietnam veteran after he has returned home.  Also remember this ride started in 1989, for our Vietnam vets.

Nobody Knows.

Written by Kelly Anderson.

I came home my emotions raw, No one should ever see what I saw.

I came home, not to flags and Cheers. Just the ridicule throughout the years.

I took a gun and placed it to my head. Sometimes I think that I'd be better off dead.

Chorus:

I know there's a wall, with the names of them all.

 I can't make myself go, cuz nobody knows.

2nd verse:

I got down on my knees and prayed, God help me not to feel this way.

Then I heard about the Run for the Wall, I packed my bags and I rode with them all.

 I rode with them mile after mile, I can't understand why they smile.

Chorus:

I know there's a wall, with the names of them all.

 I can't make myself go, cuz nobody knows.

3rd verse:

Day after day, town after town. I can feel myself coming around.

But I know, The Wall is up ahead, I can't get these demons from my head.

Then I saw, 10000 people there. They said they didn't go, but they still care.

Chorus:

I know there's a wall, with the names of them all.

 I can't make myself go, cuz nobody knows.

Final verse:

Family beside me, I walked down-the-line. I touched every name, and I began to cry. Brothers surround me, they wouldn't let me go. They said they love me and that they also know.

At that moment, I knew I was home. I knew that I would never be alone. Run for the Wall, you got me here. With you beside me I can beat this fear.

Final chorus:

I'm at the wall, with the names of them all. You helped me to go,

Cuz SOMEBODY knows.

*******************

Tomorrow should be a day of several pics.  

It has been one heck of a day.  And it is now getting late.  Cannot wait for tomorrow!!

4:15AM comes early.

Pray for all our riders on all 3 routes for safe travels and good weather.

  

Quote for the day:

You are not forgotten.