RUN FOR THE WALL Jean and Larry: May 23, 2017 - Day 7 to DC --- Wentzville, MO to Corydon, IN

WOW!!! All you prayer warriors must have kicked in high gear. Last night we were at a very high percentage of rain for the day. This morning, the weather totally change and no rain. Great day to ride!! And so we did.

Before I get started, I forgot to load a pic from yesterday. Jamie took this and you will all love it. A picture is worth 1000, no 10,000, words with this one.

DC (aka Dallas) and wife Sami, are the Raffle team. They do an incredible job raising money for Rainelle. Every day they are up before dawn setting up.

They also have done a ton of work getting items for auction. Dallas has even made key rings to sell. Bottom says, "You Are Not Forgotten". So much time they have given even before the run started. These kind of things happen behind the scenes to make it all work. Thanks guys!!!

Gunny got up and thanked everyone for keeping this alive. Hard to believe 29 years and still going.

Tiger is head of registration. I believe we are at about 450. This does not mean everyone goes all the way. But that many registered to ride at least part. Thanks Tiger.!! Another person that is key.

The pack headed out the day with a visit to Vietnam Memorial in Wentzville. This is the first Vietnam memorial in the US.

High school band played.

WOW !! what a crew.

Next we headed to the Jefferson Barrack VA Hospital in St, Louis. Sun was on its way out.

My understanding is that this is the first time RFTW when thru the National Cemetery,

Heading to the hospital. As we pull in this is what greeted us.

They provide us all kinds of little snacks to take with us.

This gentleman is WWI veteran. Sorry did not catch his name but he was at the Battle of the Bulge.

Googled: In December 1944, Adolph Hitler attempted to split the Allied armies in northwest Europe by means of a surprise blitzkrieg thrust through the Ardennes to Antwerp. Caught off-guard, American units fought desperate battles to stem the German advance at St.-Vith, Elsenborn Ridge, Houffalize and Bastogne. As the Germans drove deeper into the Ardennes in an attempt to secure vital bridgeheads, the Allied line took on the appearance of a large bulge, giving rise to the battle’s name. Lieutenant General George S. Patton’s successful maneuvering of the Third Army to Bastogne proved vital to the Allied defense, leading to the neutralization of the German counteroffensive despite heavy casualties.

As we got started, a few fact were presented of those on the wall:

16 clergy, 160 Medal of Honor Recipients, 1956 was first one killed, 40 brothers, 3 father-son.

This gentleman talked a little about D-Day, the broke out into the singing of the National Anthem.

OH MY GOSH! I wish you could all have heard this. His deep voice and passion for the song will send shiver down you spine.

Then TAPS. Not a person moved.

They all look forward to us coming. We go around and thanks then for their service. Then they thanks us for what we do in Not Forgetting!!!

The gentleman in the middle was ready to ride with us. He likes going fast, he is Air Force.

He is a pic of some of the officers that escorted us across Missouri. This is at the border of Illinois.

THANKS GUYS!

Sometime you have to go thru the strangest places to get the pack off the main road. This is a hotel.

Wild Bill is trying to show Jenny how to direct traffic coming off the gas pumps.

This is very organized chaos. Looking good guys.

Lunch at the airport.Little princess was handing out Gatorade. So Cute.

Way to start her young grandpa.

Fly over for RFTW. The flew with us all the way to the county line.

This gentleman start playing Taps quite away from the crowd. Within about 10 seconds, all motorcycle running, all conversation and other noise stopped. When he finished was a moment of silence. This never gets easy to hear.

Hey Jenny, these cows are running but have but have a fence. Do not think they will head our way.

Another one bits the dust and is out. This is Mama Teri with Eamon.

Got to have a country picture in here. SOOOO beautiful the colors.

Gas stop from the road. Really looks crazy.

If you can see this gentleman's hand, this is how they salute in New Zealand and Australia. They are also Vietnam vets and on the Run

You can see Larry's arm in the saluting position, except it is the wrong hand. The ARC wanted the 6-pack to do this on all over passed. But if use right hand, this is not a good think. This is the throttle hand.

BEAUTIFUL!!

Coming into Corydon , IN.

As we pulled into the fair grounds, I go the biggest surprise ever. My mom, our daughter, her boyfriend and my sister-in-law showed up. What a big surprise!!!! Thanks all for coming and showing your support. This mean soo much to us.