May 20, 2026 – Day 8 to DC - Corydon, IN to Hurricane, WV

May 20, 2026 – Day 8 to DC - Corydon, IN to Hurricane, WV

Well...  did everyone count flags yesterday?  I bet you were surprised.  When you see a flag, remember this Run and our freedom it represents.

Today was our last day to auction the items for the fund raiser for the kids in Rainelle.  It was a bit crazy because it was raining.  We had a gentleman who was a real auctioneer.  That was exciting.

We start the day with our bio. Thank you for carrying this to the wall.

THIS IS WHY WE RIDE
  

We head into Louisville.  Pretty neat to ride along the Ohio River.

Then we get into Spaghetti Junction.  Can you tell why?

But look... no other cars.  This is amazing to have this closed down in the middle of rush hour.

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. At the age of 78 he started to volunteer. 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 a gentleman that greeted me several years ago. He gave me the story about Billy.  These 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.)

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.

Sonia and I greeted him and he loved it.  Thanks Billy for always smiling.

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

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

These 2 ladies have big shoes to fill and they do it proudly.

The riders were allowed to visit with the patients. This gentleman has dementia. William Krischbaum, US Navy veteran, has wanted a RFTW hat for years.  Jim "Who" made it happen.  He is now an honorary platoon leader.  Let us know when you get your bike, and we will get a platoon assigned to you. 

A few riders enjoyed visiting with our veterans.

Remember the nice open roads thru Louisville?  These are the 2 that worked on the Indiana side to get the LEOs to close down the highway.  Curt, on the left, is the Indiana state coordinator. Sorry I did not get the other name.  He made a lot of calls also and put note out on facebook and other media to let people know that the highway was to be closed in the morning.

Lee is the state coordinator in Kentucky and worked on the Spaghetti Junction in Louisville.

These guys engaged a lot of jurisdictions to get this done.

 And everyone  was willing to help keep the riders safe.  There is so much respect for the Run .

Thanks guys.

Here are a few people that are currently riding in the bus I mentioned yesterday.  

They are relatives of Mr. Ivers.  Welcome FNGs.

Back on the road again.  We get rain on and off the rest of the day.  

People still come out to support the Run.

During one of our gas stops, I was talking to Shirley.  She had a women's bio she was carrying to the Wall.  We then asked google how many women are on the Wall.  There are 8 and all were nurses.

Here Shirley carries Pamela Dorothy Donavan.  She chose her because she felt there was a connection.  Her daughter's name is Pamela.  

Thanks Shirley for taking her bio to the wall and remembering her.

SAY THERE NAME, Never Forget.

Back on the bikes and more rain.  But guess what,  just like when  we go to Rex Robley Hospital, the rain stopped.  Coincidence??   I think not.

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As we pull into the Vietnam Memorial in Frankfort, KY, we see food tents.  They have fried bologna.  

This 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.  

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

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 -- 1,110 of them -- on the anniversary of when they were killed.  Thus each individual is honored with a personal tribute.

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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.

If you remember when we were at Riverside National Cemetery, we 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 Tapp.

SAY THEIR NAMES, NEVER FOGET.

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 a person's remains are found, there is a date next to their name of when it was recovered and their name is placed on the plaza.

Here is an example:

Back on the road and into the rain but let's do a U-turn first.  I believe our escort headed us in the wrong way.  I am sure "Boots" would not have done that.

Lunch at Mt Sterling. I feel like I just ate.

Thanks for all those that fed this crew while on our mission.

Again it stopped raining in the parking lot, and started once on the road.

Riding thru the hills of Kentucky is beautiful. Probably a good thing it was raining, that way I could not take so many pics.

Few pics coming into Nitro. Apparently there where tornado warning the hour before we got there. But you guessed it, as we got off the highway, the rains stopped.

There is a beautiful park in the middle of town where the ceremony was held. The Junior ROTC was on hand to present the colours.

Some of the elementary kids said the Pledge of Allegiance. Our future!!

On the building behind them.

The day ends. Tomorrow it is supposed to rain again. Back to work all the prayer warriors. Dry roads would be nice.

Temps: 63-74 

Route: I-64E

Miles: 252

Quote for the day:

            Heroes do not wear capes, they wear dog tags.

May 19, 2026 – Day 7 to DC - Wentzville, MO to Corydon, IN

May 19, 2026 – Day 7 to DC - Wentzville, MO to Corydon, IN

For the last week, I have posted many pictures of flag along our way. I have a suggestion. Look around your neighborhoods and towns. I bet you will see that our flag is not just on the Run but it is there every day.

We have challenges among the platoons and the military branches while on the Run. The money raised goes to the kids in Rainelle.

I have a challenge for all you reading this. Look around today and see how many flags you see. Count them. By the end of the day I bet you will bet surprised on the number.

Then try and remember a person serving our country in the military. This is why we have the freedom we have.

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There was a breakout today. A breakout is when some of the riders get to get off the route path and take a side step to visit another facility.

Perryville

A ride to Perryville to see an exact replica of the Vietnam wall.

Google:

Today, a full-sized replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall stands, officially known as America's Wall and locally known as The Perryville Wall. The wall is part of the new Missouri National Veterans Memorial site. It is a full-sized Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall like the one in the mall in Washington, D.C.

Here are a few pics from the ones that attended.

This is another organization the RFTW supports.

Stephen is holding a bag of popcorn near "Popcorn Billy's" brother name. I will have more on this in tomorrow's report

Back with the pack, we finished the morning meeting and headed out.

Again there are many that come out to send us off.

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First stop Wentzville Vietnam Veterans Memorial

Due to the weather, a few thing needed to be adjusted. The band was undercover and we did not have the wreath ceremony. We did have a few speakers. Comments: They said we are an impact to the Wentzville families and all the families in this country. We have a commitment to those that never made it home. And we have set an example to all.

Group photo and photo with our Vietnam veterans.

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Google:

Wentzville Vietnam Veterans Memorial

Wentzville takes extreme pride in being home to the first Vietnam Veterans Memorial in the United States. Wentzville was the first city in the nation to realize that the troops who served in Vietnam deserved to be honored.

As it stands today, the Wentzville Vietnam Veterans Memorial consists of a single-column of red Missouri granite, topped by the carved figure of an eagle. Inscribed in the column’s base is;

Vietnam Veterans Memorial December 1967

“Whither thou goest, I will go.”

We have our LEO escort only to the state line.  Thanks all!!!

As we get ready to cross the Mississippi, we ride thru St. Louis.  It is know for the its Arch.

Quick fun fact:

St. Louis Arch is the tallest monument in the U.S. at 630 feet in height. 

I think Illinois is trying to compete with Kansas.  The bridges were awesome.

How long do you think this took to set up  and organize all those people for the Run?

We go thru an overpass in about 5 minutes.  You are all amazing.

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.... and also a school bus.

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Here is a new kind of pic.  This is behind me...

Heading into Mt. Vernon for a chicken dinner made by the Mt. Vernon Elks.

They started cooking at 5:00 this morning to fix all that chicken for us.

Great reception by kids.  Love it!!!

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At several stops, we have people singing the National Anthem. 

She had such a powerful voice that again I need my tissues.  So strong.   

Oh no!!  Twenty-one gun salute....

....taps.  Thanks Mt. Vernon for all you do.

Turkey is our starter at every stop.  Remember, he has to remember the order of the platoons  since we change every day. Also remember the Missing Man and Leadership go behind the road guards in front.  Well....I  think Turkey was so focused on the platoons that he forgot to release Missing Man and Leadership.  Sooo there goes Platoon1 leading the pack.   Good thing it got figured out in this big parking lot.  May not be funny to the readers but pretty funny to us.  You do a great job Turkey.  Just 3 more days.  

This is how they are lined up.... should be in order as long as you remember who starts.

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Heading out to Indiana, I love the change in the scenery.  Lots of green

Once we get into Indiana, it looks like they too want to get into the bridge challenge.

Way to go state coordinators.

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Our last gas stop for the day brings a few families out to greet our riders.

Many are gone from  families for 3 weeks.  It is nice to see the support especially the kids.

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Here is Turkey.  Always a smile on his face, even when mistakes are made.  

We all make them but fun to joke about them

Reception in Corydon where we stay for the night is incredible.  Flags flying everywhere.

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Fish fry dinner.... Yummy!!

... and of course desserts.  I am up to 15 pounds gained so far.

At dinner, Ed came up to me and said Charlie was so proud of his shirt and hat that they gave him yesterday, he wanted to share with us.

Welcome Home Charlie.

At dinner, a Vietnam vet was presented with this walking stick.

It was carved by someone on the Run (sorry I have to get the name).  He wanted it to go to a Vietnam veteran. So Mr. Ivers received it tonight at dinner.

Standing in the lobby, I caught up with Kim.  She was telling me that he was one of the ones on the bus.  I said "what bus?"  There is group of veterans that are not able to ride a motorcycle but want to participate.  They are on a bus and participate in the ceremonies, meals,....  They are starting with us in Corydon and will ride to DC.  Mr. Ivers was selected to receive this.  He was very honored. 

Temp: 63-90
Route: I-64E
Total Miles: 290

Quote for the day:

Please tell him he is more than just a name on a wall