May 18, 2025– Day 5 to DC – Limon, CO to Junction City, KS

Before I get started, I saw a great one yesterday..... a HONDA on a trailer....

Also a little fun in Eagle Nest

Kim opens the door for out fearless RC.  

Then Salutes him.... hahaha... Kirk why are you in a car in the first place.

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Here are a few of our Vietnam vets:

Jim Blinn

Served in the Navy 

Served 1966-1970 

Served 2 tours on CVS-12 USS Hornet

He was an E-5

He was an aircraft mechanic

Rod George

I was in Army.  Served in Vietnam, Ft Carson Colorado & Nurnberg Germany. from 1968 to 1972.  My rank was E-5. Vietnam Combat, the rest 71L.  I enjoyed the military.

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While we were still in Ontario, Deano sang this song. I got the words and thought you really need to read them. It says so much about RFTW as a healing mission. Thanks Deano (he is on the fuel team).

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Nobody Knows.

         Written by Kelly Anderson (aka Deano)

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.

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One more neat story before we get the day started.  

While we were in Holbrook, Kelly our photographer was taking pictures of all the school kids.  Then there was a bike that stopped and the rider got off.  Kelly immediately thought there was a problem and went to check on him.  He said he was ok but lost his wedding ring.  He and the rider started looking.  Then a staff member came over and also asked if there was an issue.  Then a few cars driving asked the same.  Now there is about 20 people looking for this ring.  AND they found it.  There must have been a little help from above on this one. Coincidence? 

Then Kelly noticed a little boy that was sitting on the side walk.  He was holding something.  He was the only one that had something in their lap.  Kelly asked him and he  said it was a POW. Keeping him safe.  WOW!!!

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At  the morning meeting, Kirk (aka Pretty Boy) had a special guest, his son Chase.  He will soon be getting his permit to drive a motorcycle.  Oh my another Olson on the road with a motorcycle.  Harlan: maybe you better teach him.  He said he already had a road name PBJ = Pretty Boy Junior..... oh my, help us.

Pretty need family.  Summary: Harlan RC in 2018, Janelle leadership support several years, Kirk road guard and RC.  Only make  sense that Chase follow in their footsteps.

Word of the day is BRIDGES.  Kansas's state coordinator tries to get all the bridges covered with any where from 1-30+ people on them.  I will be popping the pics in thought out this report. You may get bored with seeing them but believe me, while you are riding, it is the coolest to see the people come out and support the Run.  Here is a start:

Next stop is Oakley and lunch

Different kind of parking for the staging group.  

Use the full street and line them up the way they came in.

As we get off the bikes, we see several groups of kids walking around giving us water.  Way to go moms.  Such a valuable lesson for our next generation

Great facility  and the weather held off for use to enjoy lunch.

As Larry and I were getting ready to head out, we saw the Outreach team.  They had been meeting with a Gold Star family.  Reminding them their loved ones are not forgotten.  We will say their name.  

A prayer is said and a scripture passage of read.

                                      

They are presented with a gold star so they will know that RFTW will not forget them.

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They usually meet with 35-37 families on the 10 trip to DC.  Thank you Outreach team!!

Ok saddle up, rain is coming in Junction City KS our final destination.  We leave early to try and beat the rain.  For those of  you that read or were around last year, know we rode thru a hail storm with tornados popping up near us.  Hail is no fun.  I was talking to a few of the ride and many remembered I posted last year the number it did on my leg. They asked me to post if. Others were just as bad but here is what mine looked like after getting hit with hail this big.  

So needless to say no one complained about leaving early.

And people still came out.

We passed our merchandise truck on the way.  We have 3 FNGs doing this for us and they are very excited to be part of the family.

Thank you!!

Here is a police officer in the median.... wow

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A little fun with the road guards.

  I think you have the order  a little wrong but you get the idea.

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We have been dry all the way into Junction City.  Stopped for gas and really???

Yes, we got some rain.  But they still came out.

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  AHHH there is a spotting of the founding father for RFTW and his wife:  Gunny and Patio

The rain stopped and the ceremony was able to commence.

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Broken Spoke Wreath was represented by 2 of our youngest veterans that were FNGs.  What an honor.

Once  this was complete, the threat of rain came back again.   The prayer warriors were there but next time can you please add no rain.... that would be nice.

Temps: 48-74

Route: I-70E

Miles: 394

Quote for the Day:

Never forget.

This is on the wall:  

History will remember the war

Will America remember her men?