RUN FOR THE WALL Jean and Larry

May 21, 2025 – Day 8 to DC – Corydon, IN to Nitro, WV

Wow! What a great and exhausting day! This one may take a few minutes longer to read. We had lots of stops to make today.

Before we left, we had this lady come on stage. (Sorry I did not get her name). She had her dad's ashes in the box she was carrying. She said her dad loved RFTW and he had crossed the country 3 times with them. RFTW saved his life over and over again. He started volunteering when he was in his seventies. He loved the loud pipes and the roar of the engines. She asked if someone could carry him to the Wall. One last ride. One of the chase vehicles completed the first leg today. He will make it to the Wall one last time.

Check out the sunrise today.

This is as we were were entering downtown Louisville crossing the Ohio River.

This is KY giving us an escort thru spaghetti junction in downtown Louisville.

I do not even like to drive this in a car. Very confusing (but I guess it works)

Thanks Lee (KY state coordinator) for making this happen.

Check this out. I actually got a pic backward.

NO I did not turn around.... Pretty good, right? It only took me 3 tries.

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First stop today is to Rex Robley VA Medical Center

Google:

Rex Robley was born in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, and enlisted in the military in May, 1919, six months after the Armistice date. He served for 3 years. He was the last Kentucky World War I era veteran, and the last known World War I era veteran of the United States.

In 1986, Rex turned to volunteerism, lending support to fellow veterans at the Louisville Veterans Administration Medical Center. Rex logged more than 14,000 hours of volunteer time while at the Center. He dedicated his life helping his fellow veterans, both through the veterans service organizations and activities at the Medical Center. He continued to volunteer there three days a week, even at age 105.

There was gentleman that greeted me who knew about "Popcorn" Billy. He gave me the story about Billy. The 2 men and Billy's twin brother served in the same unit from 1968-69. They were in the 57th Assault Helicopter Company. It was the first attack on a helicopter unit. Billy's brother died in this attack and Billy was wounded. Ever since he has been helping all the people. The name "popcorn" came because he made popcorn and sold it then donated the proceeds. He bought all the supplies. Always smiling and he loves hugs!! (He has since retired.)

Also, after his brother died, Billy was very bitter. A minister told him, you can be angry for the rest of your life, or you can choose to honor your brother's legacy. At that point, he turned his life around.

Billy welcomes us and has us all join him for the Pledge of Allegiance.

He left us with this:

"Please enjoy your life while you can, and be happy and healthy the rest of your days."

He sees me and Jenny and grabs a hug!!! He said he feels like he died and went to heaven. I think he says that to all the ladies!

He is now 80 and his ailments from Vietnam are really affecting him.

He has stopped doing the popcorn but still goes and visits the vets.

Many of the riders were able to go in and visit with the veterans. They love it when RFTW rolls in.

Ok let's head out for our next stop, Vietnam War Sundial.

The sky was gorgeous.

Yeah!!!.... still no cars.

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This next stop is one of my favorite memorials (hahaha I have several). I still do not quite understand it even though I have heard and read about it for 10 years.

As we are coming off the exit we hear the sound of a Huey. Sure enough he is hovering over the Run.

Col. Cecil spent 10-15 minutes explaining the sundial.

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Vietnam War Sundial

The Kentucky Vietnam Veterans Memorial was designed with a unique approach to honor the military dead from one of America's most troubled conflicts. A 14-foot high steel sundial stands at the center of a granite plaza. Its gnomon casts a shadow on the chiseled name of each fallen Vietnam war veteran -- 1,103 of them -- on the anniversary of when they were killed. Thus each individual is honored with a personal tribute.

Kentucky's 23 MIAs are listed behind the sundial, so its shadow never falls on their names. Some have been found since this was built. Those are the ones with a date. We never forget and we will not stop until we bring them all home.

The Memorial is one of the largest granite memorials in the nation and contains 327 cut stone panels weighing more than 215 tons. The stone came from the Pyramid Blue quarry in Elberton, GA. The lettering of the names and dates are the same style used for official government grave markers throughout the nation, including Arlington National Cemetery.

If you remember when we were at Williams, Larry asked an FNG to carry a book to get signatures as we crossed the country. This book along with a POW/MIA flag will be presented to the loved ones in the Fall of this year. The person we are doing this for is John C Stringer II.

Kelly, the RFTW photographer, knows all the MIA men listed here.

He was able to get in contact with his daughter and she met us here.

Roger is the FNG Vietnam Veteran that is gathering the names. As far as I know, this is the first time the families have met the person who is honorably carrying the book across the country.

Do you remember Gunny talking about the 3 that were left behind: Hall, Hargrove, and Marshall. Hall was from Kentucky and his name is here. Gunny points to Hall and Shelton. He knew them both.

As Col. Cecil concludes, he asks us to come on the memorial, pick a name and call it out. Say their names out loud so they are not forgotten. Where are the tissues? It was amazing to hear this!!!

People walking around calling out the names. Some struggled emotionally but there was always someone there for them.

If a person's remains are found, there is a date next to their name of when it was recovered

Then that name is put on the plaza. Here is an example:

If you ever get a chance to go see it, go. It is amazing and an engineering marvel. (Just make sure you go when the sun is out.)

Family, friends and well wishers see us off.

So many communities support the Run in so many ways.

THANKS to all for your support and prayers.

Next stop is lunch. Clay Community Center in

Mt. Sterling always has a super greeting and good food.

We are in position 6 today and even though that is not fun to be so far back,

I had great picture opportunities. Check these out and the blue sky.

WOW!!!! Hurricane is our final stop. We had people waving and cheering from the exit to the park. Amazing. We never get tired of this. Nitro and Hurricane take turns hosting and they work together to put on the best.

Here is Gunny as we come in.

These are the little princesses and they led us in the Pledge of Allegiance.

The lady here is a Gold Star mom. Her son was killed in 2005. She was telling me a little bit about him.

As a kid he took up Karate and became a black belt. He loved rock climbing and excelled at it.

She said all the things he did prepared him to be the best soldier he could. He always saw the good in people and had a great sense of humor. He loved life. She is a proud mom and even though he was killed at 24, she knew he was proud of what he did. Thank you.