RUN FOR THE WALL Jean and Larry: May 24, 2017 - Day 7 to DC --- Corydon, IN to Nitro, WV

No rain again today. Well.... that is to start.

Every day, Winky reads a bio of someone that is MIA or KIA. He asks an FNG to carry it to the wall. There is always someone ready.

Ron with both daughters: Courtney and Jamie. How cool is this!!!

First stop: Robley Rex VA Center. The staff is always so excited to see all the bikes. Several of the patients want to ride the bikes. Great reception. This was named after Rex Robley who died at 107. He was a WWI veteran that started to volunteer at the age of 78.

They have a lines a give out all kinds of hugs.

Here is Popcorn Billy. He comes every Wednesday to make popcorn. You get a huge bag for a buck. Here is the problem, there is never any place to put is on the bike. Great guy.

As we walk up the steps to some patients, this is in the stairwell.

Ready to ride. Everyone has rain gear on. UGH

It rained BUT as you can see we had the road totally to ourselves!! Love this.

People still came out in the rain, umbrellas and all.

Check out this one it had an awning.

We now get to Frankfort, KY. This the KY Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

Look how straight those rows are. I am impressed. Several hundred bikes. I guess practice make perfect.

We are from the Cincinnati, Ohio area. Here is a group that came to see us. Sorry guys did not have much time to talk. These are real quick stops. We really appreciate the time you took out of your work days to support us on this mission.

This is a sundial, see below how it works.

Here is an explanation of how this works:

The veterans whose names are listed on this Memorial fought and died for the same values that inspired their ancestors since the Revolutionary War - life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The blue-gray granite plaza of the Memorial contains the names of Kentucky’s 1103 citizens who died. Each name is precisely located so the shadow of the sundial pointer, touches each veteran’s name on the anniversary of his death. Thus, each individual is honored with a personal tribute.

Here is an example.

(no sun today. I took this from the past year)

As the presentations are being done, it started to pour down rain. The MC said wait 5 minutes and it will change. As this person was talking, it made me think. This was a short rain shower. What about the guys sitting in fox holes, or walking and it rained. They probably did it for days at t time. Sometimes no place to get on dry clothes or the shower. Do not take for granted what you have or complain about the little things.Instead think about what you have and what a great life you still have because of all our service men and women.

This is the home of the free because of the brave.

Welcome home!!!

...... and it did. by the time we go on the bikes and ready to leave it stopped. 1 mile up the road it did not even rain.

Next stop is lunch in Mt Sterling. Wow yet another great reception.

Food was outstanding. Sami and Larry imitate Sami sleeping few days ago on the bikes.

As we leave, someone almost made a huge mistake. They got on the ramp to go west.... Oh NO!! This is heading back to CA. Good thing only about 10-12 bikes did t....HMMMM sound like someone else I know almost did this.

Ron and Courtney..... next leg, lets go.

Jamie and the Chief

Larry and Jean

Jamie

So the day was not a total loss...... still got some got pics.

Everyday I thank God I am an American. On this trip, I see all the beauty he has but there for us. Take it all in.

Enjoy the nice weather Jamie..... never know what is coming tomorrow.

A few of us had a break out the other day. We went past an over pass that was being set up. They started 1- 1.5 hours before the Run was supposed to go thru. Check out this one!!!!. And all for 5-10 minutes of bikes coming thru... this is my 3rd year and I LOVE it!

One of the officers holding cars at an entrance ramp. We had all entrance ramps close and no one could pass us in KY. I guess this make them like New Mexico and Missouri. Every county across the state had officer on duty to help out. Thanks much to the KY state coordinator. You have no idea how much more you get to enjoy everything.