May 25, 2017 - Day 9 to DC --- Nitro, WV To Lewisburg, WV

Every day we stage with Shana and Robin.  Shana is always jumping up and down, or has a flashing light so we can see her. For several years , this was her dad and her thing.  Her dad passed away earlier this year but she was back with us.  This is family.  She was going to make the full run but she needs to go back for burial.  Our prayer and thoughts are with you Shana.... We will see you next year

Robin you have some big shoes to fill. Seriously , they have been a great team!!!! Thanks ladies.

 Morning meeting was here. Looks at all these people going to DC.     HOLY COW!!!
 During prayer or when Winky reads the bio of those KIA or MIA , you can hear a pin drop.

I showed you pics yesterday of this WV Vietnam Wall.  Here is the full wall.  Think about the name and families that have lost husbands, brothers, sisters, dads.....THEY GAVE ALL.

 Today was a pretty special day.  You have heard me talk about Rainelle.  This is a school the Gunny and the guys visited on the first run to DC.  I saw Gunny the other day. I will get the full story and let you know.

Rainelle Elementary School showed hospitality to the "bikers" the first year.  Every year since, the Central route has raffles, 50/50, auctions, .... to raise money for these kids.  It help with supplies, buses, field trips.

Last year when we came thru I talked to the Principle, Kim, and she mentioned that she rides with her husband.  You think maybe we could ride on Thursday to Rainelle school?  Well today it happened.  Kim and her husband Steve came into Lewisburg last night.  They will ride to Rainelle.

She was telling us a story about the old school.  They found bunkers there and other old items.  Some of the kids were able to see this before the building went down.  But they have a better lesson than any other school.  And that is about patriotism.  They do not get it out of books but from the veterans that have come every year.  Each year the students have to write essays.  The other day, someone brought an old one to her.  It was one her daughter wrote about her father.  He was a veteran. This school loves the veterans.
Her husband is a teacher at the high school teaching welding.  He also coaches wrestling, track and is involved with many other activities.  In July, 2016, the town was flooded very bad.  Several of the builds had to be condemned. Steve took a lot of the kids and went the buildings:  tore up carpet, removed floors,.....  What great roll models they both are.

Steve and Kim in the morning meeting.  We are guiding them on how the ride works.

  READY TO GO!!!  The smile she has on her face, never left.  Larry and I had the honor to ride next to her.  Maybe is was supposed to be since I guess I take a few pictures now and then  😏

 Still smiling!!

Before we get to the school, we stop off in Charleston, the capital.   We are heading downtown and people come out and wave.  

 Can you imagine driving downtown and seeing all the bikes... OMG  8 years ago, I would have freaked out.  And to say I would ride cross country on one, I would have said you are crazy.

 But now, I would do it in a heart beat. They will not be forgotten!!

You should have seen all the bikes in the circle drive in front of the capital building.

 There are more in another lot!!

The West Virginia Veterans Memorial is a two-story oval shaped monument honoring more than 10,000 West Virginians who made the ultimate sacrifice in defending the nation in twentieth century conflicts. Composed of four limestone monoliths surrounded by a reflecting pool, the interior walls are faced in polished black granite etched with the names of these men and women. The Memorial was designed by P. Joseph Mullins, who also sculpted the four figures representing the four major twentieth century conflicts and the four major branches of military service.

The Governor proclaimed today Run For The Wall Day, May 25, 2017.

Wars: WWI, WWII, Korean, Vietnam

Four branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines.

We all head to the capital building for a group picture.

 This is Dan, our photographer, having to climb about a 15 foot ladder.

DC and Sami kind of wind down.  The worked their butts off the last 9 days.  The amount of money they raised was unbelievable.  BUT it did not start just this week.  They have been working for 4 months to get items to auction, raffle items, asking for donations from businesses...etc.  AND they worked so hard during the run. Dallas works at a radio station and Sami is an account.

THANKS SO MUCH YOU GUYS!!!!

OK let's head to Rainelle.  We had about 70 miles to go but all on beautiful back roads.  For those reading that are motorcycle riders, these are great windy roads to ride.  We were on 60.

They whole route, we saw flags, banners and people..... oh my gosh for miles we saw them.

 Beautiful road.

 Even a local nursing home brought out some of the residents. All waving and smiling from ear to ear.

 20 miles to go..... check this out.....

 Look at all the head lights.... all the way down this road.

 Here we go heading into town.

 OK so the grin was still here ..... but so were the tears. The teachers did not tell the kids about this until today.  It was funny, they were chanting "We love the USA".  As they saw her, you could see there faces..... "There's Mrs. Tincher", and were waving.  She was very proud of them and she should be.

As we get off our bikes, the kids just overwhelm you.  There question is "Can we have your autograph".  Imagine that.  So cute. Of course , we bring little goodies for them.  There is always a very polite "Thank You" that follows.  Enjoy the pics of the kids.  I had  sooo many, if I tried to post them all I would be up until we had to leave in the morning.

 This girl here is a special needs person.  She is 26 years old, and a lover. She has been coming since she was 5, so about 24 years.  She is in a town down the road a bit.  The lady in the pink to the right is her care giver.  She told me that her mom was one hit by the flood.  She was on top of a washing machine to be rescued.  She also told me her mom was able to save all the signature books as she save them all over the years.

 These shirts say it all: 

WE ARE THE FUTURE

 They server us lunch and along all the walls are pictures of past years and all the people that have gone there here.  Larry actually found his on one from 2015.

For Dinner tonight, we went to Ron's wife cousin's house.  Thanks Juanita and Bruce for the hospitality and great dinner!!!

Total miles: 121
Temps:60
Route: I64 E - Rt 60 - I64E