RUN FOR THE WALL Jean and Larry: May 22, 2018 - Day 7 to DC

WOW!!! There must be a lot of prayer warriors out there because we had yet another great day.

Started out at 64. At the moring call, we had 2 beautiful quilts for our action. This raise a nice amount for the kids at Rainelle

Left there with a police escort. Remember, we are still in Missouri.

This is the Wentzville Vietnam Memorial. It is the first one in the US for the Veterans of Vietnam. What a reception.

Vietnam Veterans Memorial December 1967

"Wiher thou goest I wil go"

Laying of the wreath

Mayor of Wentzville and Whiteburch (RC)

It has become a tradition to get all the Run participants in a pic. Need two to get them all in.

This is the newest of the next generation. Maybe someday , she will be on the Run.

We are all back on the bikes, they are running and we are ready to roll. Then there is a signal that we are delayed for 5 min to get the officers in place. Few grumbles as it is getting pretty warm and bikes make it even hotter. Someone turns on the song "I Am Proud to be an American". All conversation seemed to stop, grumbling stopped and we all listened to the song. I even saw some singing with it. Funny, as soon as the song was over, we got the signal, let's roll.

Heading down the highway check out the Flying V. We are now heading to Jefferson Barrack in St. Louis.

This is the Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery and Health Care Facility

Burial in a national cemetery is open to all members of the armed forces who have met a minimum active duty service requirement and were discharged under conditions other than dishonorable.

VA St. Louis Health Care System is a full-service health care facility providing inpatient and ambulatory care in medicine, surgery, psychiatry, neurology, and rehabilitation, as well as over 65 subspecialty areas. It is a two-division facility that serves veterans and their families in east central Missouri and southwestern Illinois.

The Jefferson Barracks Military Post is located on the Mississippi River at Lemay, Missouri, south of St. Louis. It was an important and active U.S. Army installation from 1826 through 1946. It is the oldest operating U.S. military installation west of the Mississippi River, and it is now used as a base for the Army and Air National Guard. A Veterans Affairs healthcare system campus is located on the southern portion of the base

They welcomed us with open arms and had lots of stack for the road. Courtney commented it was like Halloween. She even got a bag to carry it all in.

We said the Pledge of Allegiance. Had prayer.

This gentleman goes by "Bugle Boy" and he played taps. (it is his service dog with him)

Having a little fun.. I did get the cupcake pushed in my face LOL

We had a little time to visit with the vets that made it to the auditorium.

Here is Janelle, Jean, and Terri. We are all in the leadership role and I noticed we all had "mama" road names: Mama O, Mama G and Mumma Terri

Griz is one of the returning RFTW riders. This year he s riding with his grandson. He also thought it was like Halloween. He had a big bag of treats too.

Several of the residence were able to make it out to send us off.

Riding out, check out the flags.

Heading over the Mississippi into Illinois

Here is where we lose the Missouri escort. This was great!!

I have posted lots of pics of the amazing bridges. But the ones I like the best are these. Stop in the middle of a field and hold up flags, salute, or just put their hands over their heart.

Heading into Illinois, we start getting green trees and rolling hills.

We are now rolling thru Mt. Vernon, IL for lunch. But first we have a gas stop.

Everyone now get the idea of a gas stop. We are getting the hang of it, and thing run pretty quickly. I was talking to the manager and he was so impressed. I did tell him we have been practicing for several days. He gave us all 12 pumps. He basically shut down the whole station for us. (Several of the other ones do the same.) His comment was that he was proud to do it for such a great cause.

Kay, aka 9 Mile, is one of the female road guards. She is an amazing rider and this year is the Asst. Captain. Her dad was the RC a few years ago and is a rookie road guard, so basically, he works for her. I love her smile, she is always wearing it.

As we pulled in this gas stop, I catch the eye of this lady in the wheel chair. She is so excited. I gave he a thumbs up and she gave it back and started waving like a little kid. As everyone finished I saw her coming thru the parking lot (she had a care giver with her). Her name is Maria Brown and she is a gold star mother. Her son was killed in 2006 during Iraqi Freedom. She is very proud of her son and who he was. The Run makes her very happy as it makes us not forget those that have severed and died for our freedom. She hugged and kissed me, and wished safe travels for all on this mission.

Ok Lets head to lunch. Check this out. There were block and blocks like this.

We ended at the back of the pack. I do not get this shot too often. This is a good part of the pack going thru town. pretty amazing.

We arrive at the airport for lunch.... more people line the entrance. Great chicken..oh my I am sure I have gained weight from this trip

Pledge is said. All those saluting are or were in the service. Look how many in this small crowd. I never get tired of seeing this and the respect to this country.

This lady and her husband have service dogs for our vets.

So we are in line and Larry says take a look at the wheel chair. Looks like Tank wheels.

It is to be able to take people out in the woods for hunting or fishing or whatever

They gentleman in the middle works to get the hunting trips set up for our handicap vets. The one in the wheel chair needs to go back to doctor next week to see if he can be released to go. He is so looking forward to it.

Talked to this gentleman and said I love the sign: "Restroom on the right". He said he made it because last year he had the same job and for 2 days his arms hurt from pointing. He just smiled and loved seeing everyone.

We had a treat today. I was told this was an H1 Huey that flew in Vietnam. It has been repainted.

It picked up the flag and flew around the building a few times.

These were kid that helped out for the day. They offered us water/gatorade as we came in, collected trash, brought flavor packets, helped serve. All with a smile and very polite. Here they are as we leave

The Huey flew with us maybe 15 miles. It was really neat for us passengers. Hopefully all the drivers had their eyes on the road.

Going thru this small town, Wayne City. Oh my gosh we did not even stop

As we get thru town a few miles, check this out.

More country pics. It was so beautiful today.

Getting on ramps you need to slow a 2+ mile train of bikes to about 25-30 MPH.

Riders really need to stay focused.

Griz's grandson was right in front of us on this leg. He definitely gets into all the bridges.

Heading into Corydon, where we stay the night. HUGE reception

Caught these 2 in the crowd. Love too see them out.

This is a great lesson in what this country is all about.

Barry is normally in the 6 pack but he is also the one that assigned people in platoons. He tries to keep then even. This means he needs to know what days the riders will be riding to make them even. Normally they are 15-25 per platoon.