May 7, 2023– Day 1 to Ontario
Welcome back to all those that have followed me before. And "Welcome" to all the newcomers. I am Jean and I will be submitting an entry every day on our journey from Loveland, OH to Ontario, California. I am riding west with my husband, Larry, and my brother, Ron. Then riding from Ontario to Washington DC.
May 17-26, 2023
We ride for those who can’t.
For those new to following us, and as a reminder for those who watched us the prior years, below is our mission statement and what RFTW is all about.
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Larry, my husband and my driver, and I will be joining a group of motorcyclist to ride across our beautiful United States. This will be our 6th year. The ride is called “Run For The Wall”. (RFTW.org) The ride will start in Ontario May 17 and end May 26 in Washington DC. I thought you may like to follow us and see some of the pictures in honor of those that served.
Mission Statement of RFTW : To promote healing among ALL veterans and their families and friends, to call for an accounting of all Prisoners of War and those Missing in Action (POW/MIA), to honor the memory of those Killed in Action (KIA) from all wars, and to support our military personnel all over the world.
Philosophy: We strive to maintain a safe, supportive, and private atmosphere in which all participants can reflect and heal on their journey to the Vietnam Memorial in Washington, DC in the hope that they can return home to a new beginning.
Goals: 1) To guide the participants across America. 2) To educate future generations as to the importance of accountability in wartime actions emphasizing that no one should be left behind.
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History (from the RFTW.org website)
Run For The Wall® (RFTW) was started in 1989 by James Gregory and Bill Evans, two Vietnam Veterans who traveled across the heartland of America on motorcycles. They talked to local radio, TV and newspapers about the thousands of men and women still unaccounted for from all wars. The need for this awareness continues today and we carry on this tradition every May.
We don’t give political speeches or stage demonstrations. RFTW gets its message to the public by riding across the United States: Coast-to-Coast. We obey traffic laws and treat all citizens with dignity and respect. The issue of public awareness is only part of the reason RFTW exists. We also give Vietnam Veterans and all Veterans the opportunity to receive their own “Welcome Home” and start their healing process.
Anyone who has fought or has friends or loved ones who have fought in a war, has their own issues from their own experience — the welcome home, the goodbye to buddies lost, the ability to finally help the young men and women we watch every night on TV, or just trying to accept coming home alive. Many who participate in The Run find that whatever they’ve been missing can be found in the RFTW family. They can finally start settling issues that have been “stuffed” away for many years.
There’s a nominal charge for participating in The Run, plus you pay your own expenses such as lodging. We are fortunate to receive support from organizations and people along the way. Most breakfasts, lunches, and evening dinners are provided FREE, or for a small donation by concerned citizens. There are many generous groups and individuals who also pay for our gas, too.
The trip is a 10-day ride from Ontario, California, to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington, DC, where The Run officially ends. We meet on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial on Saturday before Memorial Day. From there, we walk as a group to The Wall and declare our Mission Complete by placing a plaque at the apex.
During the journey across the US, we make stops at memorials, Veterans’ Hospitals and schools. We enjoy parades, escorts and “Welcome Home” receptions provided by the patriots in our host cities.
Participants range in age from 8 to 80. They include fathers, mothers, grandfathers and grandmothers (some of whom ride their own bikes!); veterans from World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm, Iraqi Freedom and Afghanistan; active duty military; supporters; friends and family. Everyone is welcome, veterans and non-veterans alike. The main rule is NO ATTITUDES.
Some people join RFTW and think it is just a vacation or another motorcycle event. After a day or two, you realize this is something special and unlike anything you’ve experienced. You become part of the RFTW family whose members come from all over the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, The Netherlands, and other countries. What could be more perfect than riding on a mission, making new friends and helping a very good cause (POW/MIA)?
If you have a few minutes, please go to the web site (RFTW.org). You will be surprised as a few minutes will not be enough. The FNG (Fine New Guy/Gal) stories of many that have experienced the trip, whether full or partial, are worth reading. We have a little personal reason for going on this trip. We have a brother, brother-in-law, and uncle that served in Vietnam. Also Father that served in WWII and the other in Korea. Also a few cousins active today.
Not all of those that served were in the front line or even in the country where the war/conflict happened. This does not minimize the fact that they have given time from their life and families to serve to keep us safe. This is the same for those that are not actually on the Run with us. You keep us in your prayers and thoughts. We have family members keeping things going for the 3 weeks we are gone. Thanks to those.
Any time you see a service man or woman, police or fireman, please take a few minutes to go over to them and thank them for their service. It only takes a few seconds. Let them know you appreciate what they are doing.
This trip will end at the Vietnam Memorial Wall but the support we need to give to everyone that serves should never end. Keep us, and the 400+ riders we will be riding with in your prayer for a safe ride (and nice weather, we ride in rain, wind, and hail 😊 )
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We wanted to leave at 7:00 this morning BUT the rain, or I should say the thunder and lighting, kept us from starting until 11:00. We were hoping to get about700 miles on the first day but did not quite make that. Today started at 60 degrees. We geared up in rain gear.
Jean, Larry
No rain but clouds. Some bright green fields.
Stopped in Columbia, MO for the night.
Summary of the day.
Temps: 61-85
Route: I-74, I465, I-70
Total Miles: 476
Keep all those riders in your prayers that are coming
from all over the country as they ride to Ontario.
Every day I like to get a picture of the flag from the day. This one is from St. Louis, MO
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