May 27, 2016 - Day 10 to DC --- Lewisburg, WV to Washington DC

Beautiful!!  Beautiful!!  Beautiful!!
What a day.  How lucky were we to get the weather we did for 10 day.  I have heard by many that they have never had so many good days like this on the Run.

Remember how the road guards get the rookies.  Well Brian got it good. Check this out.

Papa reads the men/women still not home, and asks an FNG to carry them to the wall.  There is never an issue finding  a Person.  In fact there are many wanting the opportunity.

Nice surprise to see Gunny here at the morning meeting.  He had a surprise for us.  The lady next to him was 13 when Gunny came thru Rainelle on the first year.  They camped at the park.  Also gave kids rides on their bikes. The kids had shirts for the men to sign and she still has her shirt today.  It is something she says she will never give up.

Gunny's parting words:  Ride for our Future.

This guy was on the chase vehicle.  This vehicle is amazing. We leave no man behind.  Just like the reason for this mission: we leave no man behind.

A sea of bike helments

 Gunny on far right.  Seeing us off this morning

Oh My Gosh did we get dense fog

 Then the sun came up and what a beautiful ride into DC.
The mountains in W. Virginia and Virginia are breath taking.  

 Check out the background behind Skip.

 Papa Smurf hands a road guard a lollipop.

Nate is working the pump where Jenny pulled up to.  

 Never ceases to  amaze me as to how short a time 300+ bikes can fill up.

 This gentleman loves to watch the bikes come in.  He has dementia.  He may get confused but he remembers and looks forward to the bikes coming in every year according to his daughter

The Shenandoah Harley dealer had lunch for us.

This is a sight I will truly miss.  

 Flags lowered to half mast for all those that have died.

"Blue's" father severed in WWII. He was going to ride "missing man" but let his son Bill ride it

Neat:  Red, White and Blue.

Here we are as we leave the Harley dealer

Here are pics of some of the road guards one more time.  This is only a few but they are the ones flying up and down past us all day long.  They stop the ramps, pull cars/trucks past us, direct traffic.

Thanks Guys/ Gals!!

Rocky

 Wild Bill

 Drops a Lot

 Diesel 

 Catfish

 9-mile

It is a shame there is a truck passing behind the 2 men on the right. If you can enlarge it, you will see all the men have on white gloves.  Also there are 3 signs:
1) Lord please tell him... he is more that just a name on the wall
2) Freedom isn't free.. support our troops everyday
3) All gave some.. some gave all.  Thank a veteran every day.

 We will have state troopers the last 80 miles all the way into DC.

Last fuel stop.  Our organized chaos comes to an end.  My hats off to the fuel team as they guide us thru and keep us all moving.

 Papa Smurf has the last meeting.  It is 97 degrees and 80 miles to go.  As we get closer to DC, the traffic gets more and more heavy. Be on your toes.  Remember we are still on a mission this is not a pleasure ride. We are not finished.

 As I see the miles to Arlington get lower and lower, I cannot help but think of our troops.

 The thought that many would love to have seen those miles and to come home.  There are still many MIA and POWs that we will need to bring home. Let us NEVER forget them.

 A few miles to go

 As we exit the ramp, there are many standing on the side, waving and cheering. Our Vietnam veterans never got that welcome home.  They we spit on, yelled at and looked down upon.  Many of them are in their late sixties and seventies.  It is never too late to tell them "Thank You".

Thank  them for serving for our freedom.

 As we stopped out bike, I see Skip standing like we saw many over the course of our trip. But look at the next series of pictures. The number of people grow.

We unite and stand strong. Supporting one another always.  And those that serve this country  make sure we will have that freedom today. Life is too short not to enjoy it. Be kind and help one another.

 We are Americans !!!

On the Run, we said the Pledge everyday.  I see this flag and have taken pictures of it all week. Every time I see it waving in the air, it is telling me  I am free.  And that right is protected by our men and women.  Let's continue to try and bring them all home.

Our Missions is almost over.  I will  have one more post tomorrow.