May 17, 2016 - In California

Today we headed to the Riverside National Cemetery and Medal of Honor Memorial
Google info:  Burial in a national cemetery is open to all members of the armed forces who have met a minimum active duty service requirement and were discharged under conditions other than dishonorable. A Veteran’s spouse, widow or widower, minor dependent children, and under certain conditions, unmarried adult children with disabilities may also be eligible for burial. Eligible spouses and children may be buried even if they predecease the Veteran. Members of the reserve components of the armed forces who die while on active duty or who die while on training duty, may also be eligible for burial. 

Prior to the Ride we will always say the Pledge of Allegiance.  This morning these 2 girl scouts signed it.  You will see as the days continue that the service men will salute, while everyone else puts their hand over the heart. Every day this will occur and we never get tired of it.  

This gentlemen is from New Zealand and will be riding all the way do DC.

We met this gentleman that is a disabled vet.  He will be riding all the way

Heading out

First half of the riders as they get ready to enter the grounds

To date there are about 270,000 buried here. There are about 35 per day can, can have as many as 70.

Riverside National Cemetery is home of the Medal of Honor Memorial, one of four sites in the United States recognized by the U.S. Congress as a National Medal of Honor Memorial Site. The Medal of Honor Memorial walls feature the names of all medal recipients. It was dedicated at a ceremony attended by 85 Medal of Honor recipients November 5, 1999.
The names of each of the 3,455 Medal of Honor recipients is inscribed on the polished granite. The recipients are listed in decoration date order arranged by conflict period beginning with the Civil War all the way thru Iraq / Afghanistan.

This is on the other side: "For conspicuous Gallantry and Intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty"

 These are on the plaza of the memorial.  One for each branch.  Here you go Glen and Mike.

The 5 to the left of the speaker are FNG (Fine New Guy/Gal - New person to RFTW) from Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, and Africa Forces.  They will lower the POW/MIA flag and put up a new one.  The one taken down will be Signed by anyone from RFTW and will be placed at the Wall. (When I refer to the "Wall" it is the Vietnam Wall)

The gentleman is Lee Millet and help design the memorial. His dad was a Medal of Honor recipient from the Korean War

These are replicas of the Medals of Honor

Those of you that read the blog last year, remember that Leroy Petry road with us. He is on the wall. Third name on the left.

Other names we saw were: Theodore Roosevelt, Douglas MacArthur.  Names with star represent that they have received more than one medal.  There are 19. Mary Edwards was the only female. Single names represent the native Indian.

Names are listed without rank in the order they died.

Comment that was made by our guide: This is not a medal you want to "win".  These people gave of themselves for their fellow Americans.  Some have given the ultimate sacrifice: their life.

This is Larry as we move to the POW/MIA memorial.

POW/MIA Memorial - A monument to American prisoners of war and those missing in action

Bringing down the flag to be signed and taken to the Wall

Putting up the new flag

Jean signing.

Larry Signing

Jean &Larry Gault - Never Forgetten

The flag is at full mast at the beginning of the day. It goes to half at the first interment of the day.

As we get back to the hotel, the finance team (Jenny, Larry and I) meet with the fuel team.  They will be getting the money at the gas stops and giving it to us.  We will then make the payment to the stations.  All has to be marked per pump and any extra money will go to the general fund.

There was a group of ROTC kids from a local high school that was helping the hydration team.                                                                AMAZING the volunteers.

  There was a band that played.

We had a blessing by Chaplin Curtis over the riders.

                                                       Dinner is served at the hotel.

 As they may their way to the back of the room, Star Spangle Banner was played.

 We turn back to the front and say Pledge of Allegiance. 

There was a trike given to a double amputee.  He was grinning from ear to ear.

He graciously thanked everyone. His comment was :"I do not know how to thank you" .  And almost unanimously, the crowd said " you have, it is us that thank you".

Then as the evening was settling down there was a very special treat for us. They were not on the agenda.  2 little girls asked if they could sing for the crowd. Lili is 6 years old.  There was a little talking going on in the room until she started to sing the National Anthem.  The crowd became silent, and stood immediately.  Solutes and hands on hearts. It was amazing!!!

 THEN as if that was not enough, her 3 year old sister, Isabel, sang "God Bless America".  The whole crowd started to sing with her.  Again AMAZING!!  Here is our future.  Aubrey is a very proud mom.

 Lots of congrats!!!

 Art Medina has served 3 tours for this country.  He will be walking 565 miles starting in San Franscico starting July 1 to raise awareness for our homeless vets.  We wish him good weather and pray for him to complete his journey.

As we leave, the question that we will hear every day:

HOW FAR ARE WE GOING???

ALL THE WAY!!!!