RUN FOR THE WALL Jean and Larry: 2017

May 27:

This is bitter / sweet that I write my last entry. I have very much enjoyed writing this blog and informing everyone of RFTW.

We started the day with the FNGs to ride into Arlington, then pictures on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, then the apex of the Vietnam Wall to complete our mission.

RFTW is allowed to ride the bikes into Arlington. There are 400 tags for any FNG that wants to ride. Here is the morning meeting with the police. They will get us there safe.

We stage in the garage of the hotel. You should hear the sound as it echoes , it is LOUD. Larry and I were able to go since we had and FNG with us (Courtney and Ron).

As we leave, this is what we see. Such support and respect.

Believe it or not , the exit ramp became our entrance ramp.

Then we staged on the expressway. wow.... totatlly shut down.

In Arlington. Over 400,000 graves, all with flags.

Service men and women buried since 1860, the Civil War.

We then see the Changing of the guards and presentation of the wreath.

Again we hear Taps. Whose got the issues?

Now we head to Lincoln Memorial.

Look a these kids!!

As we all sit in the step waiting for the picture, about 3 minutes before, this guy just walks up, in front of everyone and started singing "God Bless America". He is an opera singer, and his voice carries over everyone. Within 5 seconds the crowd goes silent, and EVERYONE is singing with him. When he finished , he turns and walks back thru the crowd. What just happened? where is he going? It was ones of the coolest things I have ever seen.

Some of the Ohio crew on the steps.

Fly over

We go to the Vietnam Wall. This is an emotional time. You see those crying, those feeling the names on the wall, leaving memorabilia, prayers.... Lots of people and very quiet.

Remember, every day in morning call,we went thru 2 names still not returned. Many of us carried bios, found them on the wall , and left them. We pray they will be returned.

Remember, Hugh Byrd, here he is on the wall.

Here is the flag that was carried across in his memory.

RFTW leaves a plaque, MISSION COMPLETE!!!

All FNGs have the pins turned upside down. They have completed their mission. Curtis turns Ron's

Chief turns Jamie's

Larry turns for Courtney.

WWII Memorial

Korean Memorial

Alan Alda on the Korean wall.

OUR FREEDOM!!!

May 28

So you have all met my niece Courtney while on this journey. She wanted to contrubute.:
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When I got to Corydon, IN I headed to registration and really got my first taste of being an FNG. I was hugged about 30 times within my first 10 minutes of having a my FNG pin on. People welcomed me into their family of 400 people without even knowing my name. In Frankfurt, KY we got to see the Vietnam Memorial they have. Here came my first set of tears. Previous Miss America (KY), moved to the front (in the pouring rain) and gave a speech like I had never heard. Her father is a veteran and the way she talked about him and thanking all of us riding for the veterans quickly brought tears to my eyes.
I am going to skip forward a little to Friday on our way from Lewisburg, WV into D.C. The trip was split into 3 legs and we started in the middle of the pack. After we got gas and headed to lunch, we were right behind our platoon leader. I was so excited to be in the front of the platoon and in position 1 of 11 (as close to the front as we could get, or so we thought). Our platoon leader quickly came to us and asked if we could get out of the spot we were in and follow him. My dad quickly said yes and we come to find out the state coordinator wasn’t going to make it. This meant that the position right next to Winky (Route Coordinator and leader of the pack) was open and we were going to fill it. We moved up and I got VERY excited. Me and my dad had around 400 bikes behind us riding next to someone very important to the Run. As we started I was nervous and I was just the rider. This is a big deal that 2 FNG’s usually do not get to do.
The last thing I want to talk about is when we got to the memorial. Now it doesn’t help that I cry when I see other people around me cry but every time I turned around more tears were coming. Between seeing Vietnam veterans looking for their friends to people telling stories of coincidences that happened along the Run. Getting to the wall meant my days of being an FNG were over. I turned to Uncle Homie (Larry) and asked him to turn my pin over. In this moment I really realized how amazing the whole trip was and how it is 4 days I will never forget. Thank you to everyone who made this trip what it was and especially to those who served or are serving. I look forward to many more trips ahead. Thank you especially to those who convinced my dad to go, and my dad for letting me share this experience with him.
Courtney

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Thanks Courtney

We only rode 10 day in all kinds of weather. Think about those serving and the conditions they have for days or weeks at a time. Scared, homesick, foxholes, no holidays,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.

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

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 !!!

Here are a few facts about our trip

- Temperature ranged 22-95

- We traveled in 14 states + Washington DC

- From Loveland to Ontario, CA to DC back to Loveland – 5718 miles (+ 140 miles on a trailer)

We did not pay for meals on our mission. Every town we stayed in welcomed us, fed us, and prayed for our safety. The support, encouragement, respect that the Americans have for the mission is incredible. There is an unbelievable amount of time hanging banners, kids making bracelet, making pocket patches, hanging flags on the over passes, closing down streets, organizing volunteer for meal, setting up fuel stops.. and the list goes on.

100s , 1000s of hours given by so many to make this happen: route coordinator, state coordinators, missing man coordinator, staging team, fuel team, hydration team, road guards, medical personel…..and the riders themselves. The logistics to get that many people across the country, coordinated with all the towns for escorts, gas stops, parking, .... involve so many people.

Six of us crossed the country west to get to CA. We came back across with a new family of 300+

We continually asked each other : what time is it? what time zone are we in? what day is it? But there is one thing we knew the answer to: what was your mission?

Mission Statement of RFTW : To promote healing among ALL veterans and their families and friends, to call for an accounting of all Prisoners of War and those Missing in Action (POW/MIA), to honor the memory of those Killed in Action (KIA) from all wars, and to support our military personnel all over the world.

As we drove the last 20 miles, I looked for one last picture of a beautiful sunset. I was disappointed that I could not get one. Then as I turned into our driveway, it is lined with flags. Oh my gosh, what a beautiful way to conclude the blog. Thanks to our family for this.

Thanks to Jenny and Ken Ward for letting us tag along on the way out and the way back.

I especially want to thank my husband for such an incredible journey.

One more set of prayer please, and that is to get everyone home safely from DC, and continue to pray for all service men and women, past and present.

I leave you with this song: Proud to be an American (by: Lee Greenwood)

If tomorrow all the things were gone

I'd worked for all my life

And I had to start again

With just my children and my wife

I'd thank my lucky stars

To be living here today

Cause the flag still stands for freedom

And they can't take that away

And I'm proud to be an American

Where at least I know I'm free

And I won't forget the men who died

Who gave that right to me

And I gladly stand up

Next to you and defend her still today

Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land

God bless the USA.

From the lakes of Minnesota

To the hills of Tennessee

Across the plains of Texas

From sea to shining sea

From Detroit down to Houston,

And New York to L.A

Well there's pride in every American heart

And its time we stand and say

That I'm proud to be an American

Where at least I know I'm free

And I won't forget the men who died

Who gave that right to me

And I gladly stand up

Next to you and defend her still today

Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land

God bless the USA.

Today is day 10. We will reach our destination but our mission is not complete until tomorrow. We will go to Arlington National Cemetery, then RFTW Mission Accomplished at the Vietnam Memorial.

Today is Friday. As I look around at many of the riders, the have red on. A few years ago, I was told many wear red as a reminder of our Men and women serving today:

Remember Everyone Deployed.

We need to remember that we still have family serving to keep us free. This simple gesture brings an awareness. If we spread the word, to wear RED, we keep in front of us that there are men and women out there risking their lives for us and our freedom. So think about doing this on Fridays. It may be contagious.

Every day we read a name for someone to carry to the wall. Today was no different. But last night, Jamie (from out Harley chapter) told me about who he is riding for. He rides for his brother who served in Vietnam. He also up and listed again so Jamie did not have to server.

Thanks for your service!!!

Jamie also told me of a his bosses cousin. He had a son that dies in Vietnam. David Ball wrote a song about him call "Private Malone". Google up the lyrics. This father passed away a few years ago and the found this 1966 Corvette. Another one you may need tissues... I did.

Back to the Run. This morning, Gunny came to thank us for what we have done so far and to remind us we still have 1 1/2 days left. He also introduced 2 gentleman that rode with him on that first mission: Bullet and Cowboy. Lets keep this going and remember to bring everyone home.

Thanks guys for doing this. We want to remember that they made the "ultimate" sacrifice for their country by giving their lives. They are not just a name on the wall.

I did not know Spaz but many on the run did. He passed away but always said: I'll see ya when I see ya". Later , I will show a road guard with big white gloves on. These are what he wore as a road guard to direct us off the exit. Today Walrus wares them..

Cannot believe we had yet another BEAUTIFUL, rain free day.

DC and Sami. Could not resist.... check out the backgound

OK by now we are getting really good at this....amazing. 300+ bikes in 20 minutes. YEAH

This lady is an attendant here. For years her father, a veteran, would come to this gas stop and just watch everyone from RFTW. He has dementia but he never forgot this day. His memory was clear why we were there. Today he could not make it as his health is deteriorating but his grandson came. He already has his second dirt bike and want to make the run when he gets older. Our Future!!!

If you look real close , you will see this lady is carrying a dog. It went all the way.

Oz is looking a little like we all feel, a little tired. 10 days hard riding and there are many Vietnam vet. Many are getting in late 60s and early 70s, but their compassion this mission is never ending. Hang in there Oz, almost done.

Star Spangle Banner played as the flags are raised.

This picture says it all...

This gentleman was an instructor /trainer. He made a comment that really hit me:

"How many that I trained , came home". WOW think about that.

He ended with: "God bless America and our military!!".

Cindy , aka Drops a Lot, was getting in the music they were playing.

Lots of red for the day!!!!

Check this out!!! As we leave the Harley dealer where we had lunch, look at the colors!!!

Could not resist. just about every bike has this...

(also took several shots to get them both in the same direction)

Signs say:
1) Freedom isn't free. Support our troops everyday.
2) Lord please tell him.... He's more than a name on a wall
3) God Bless America, AGAIN!!

Well Ron had a fun day today. Winky needed to have someone ride up with him for the second last leg. Imagine an FNG up front of everyone!! So since his bike was able to be moved easily, up he went. And his daughter , Courtney , was with him. So the last leg, Winky said just stay there. WOW!!.. So Courtney and sister Jamie switched. How cool is that for all 3!!!

Here are the white gloves!!! You definitely see these as you reach an exit.

As we get closer and closer to Arlington, and I see the miles click down, I cannot help thinking of all those who will not be able to do this and come home.

Believe it of not, these guys were on the expressway. OMG....not good if you are on a bike.

Thank goodness , I think the noise kept them to the right.

Despite the geese , we made it! !!!

Since we are in leadership up front, Skip last year did this and it was suggested to do it again.
Stand and salute or hand over our heart as the rest came in.

Biter sweet for Winky. Relief all are here but hard because it is almost over.

HUGS FOR EVERYONE

As if this was not enough, there is one more thing. Later tonight we went to see the Marines Evening Parade. If you have ever seen the silent drill on TV. It is impressive , but not like in person.

Look closely at this flag. It was he one we had when this barrack was open. We had 15 states.

Before I forget, I wanted to add on big thanks to all the road guards.

So you all have heard me talk about all the different groups that make this work. Everyone has a big part in the Run For the Wall.

I thought I would show you some of the duties of the Road Guards.

They seem like they are always circle the pack because they are.

Checking for gaps in the platoons
Making sure there are no non-RFTW riders
Making sure not luggage is lose
Blocking entrance ramps, then have to recycle to the front.
Pulling truckers thru the lanes next to use to stay away from the bikes.
Talk to the truckers, so we both share the road together.
Go ahead of the pack and are at every turn so we get to the right gas station, meal venue, etc..
Help direct traffic in the fuel stops so can get to the pumps, then to staging in an organized fashion

Just a few of them:

Catfish