RUN FOR THE WALL Jean and Larry: May 23, 2018 - Day 8 to DC

Holy Cow!!!! What a day!!! You all praying for good weather are doing a great job. Another day of blue skies.

Check out this quilt!!! It is gorgeous

All money goes to kids at Rainelle. Jimmie and Judy doing a great job!!!
Road guards have there gloves to help with the traffic..Red Stop sign (sorry color not very good) and Yellow caution.

Remember me talking about the great smells of passing a truck with cows.... well here is one with chickens.... not as bad, but I kind of help my breath.

Let roll!!

Heading thru Louisville we see the Louisville bat. This is where the bat are made for most the major league teams. I have had a tour there. Very interesting.

First stop is the Robley Rex VA Center. The staff and several of the patients are always they to greet us. Today was no exception.

Today the even put up tape. Do not want any one hurt, especially at a hospital

They make a line and greeted all of us coming in. What a reception.

Rusty has been here for 5 years. She said she will retire from here.

Sir, not sure if you should trust Barry. I have seen him drive a motorcycle.

All the people here are amazing. The patients love to hear the sound of the bikes as we roll in.

The Robley Rex VA Medical Center is an active, affiliated acute care and outpatient facility located on a 47-acre hilltop near downtown Louisville and overlooking the Ohio River. Robley Rex Louisville VA Medical Center’s main campus is located at 800 Zorn Avenue, Louisville, Kentucky. The medical center also operates three community based outpatient clinics in the greater Louisville area (Dupont, Newburg, and Shively), one in Grayson County, one in Fort Knox, KY, and one in Scottsburg and one in New Albany, IN. These clinics make VA services more accessible for veterans residing in the Kentuckiana area.

We were able to go in and see some of the patients. you should have seen the halls. Bikers every where. This electronic event TV in the halls. RFTW made the screen. Some times just showing you care makes all the difference to someone.

The stairways were painted.. Here are a few of them:

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 it on the bike. Great guy. And all proceeds go to a local charity.

Here is Omelet (road name) He worked at the hospital and this was a joke with some of the nurses. Not sure I got the whole story. Not sure I want to know the full story, but this was pretty funny when I walked back to the bike and saw this.

Larry is our platoon starter. You get a 5 minute horn. You better be by your bikes and ready to roll. If not, you get left behind if your are not ready and have to go to the back of the pack.

Last few years we have not seen much on the bridges east of the Mississippi. Today that changed. Thanks to Lee Bush. Here are a few , very impressive.

Gas stop.... Larry and the ladies. Always has them in stitches.

This gentleman road with us . He is active duty and only road part way. Sorry had to saddle up and did not get any other info. Neat to see our active soldiers with us. Last year we had about 10, for one of the legs.

We came over the bridge and you can see the exit ramp. Pretty neat to see all the bike. Really makes you see how many people really believe in RFTW and the mission it brings.

Family is great to see since we are gone so long.

Since we are from Cincinnati ( about 2 hours away), we had a few of our friends and family show up. Thanks guys for making the trip.

So I understand that one of the road guards has dropped his bike a few time. Love the training wheels. You guys really think it will help?

Next stop is the KY Vietnam Veteran Memorial. It has a sundial.

Remember at the beginning of the Run, Lynn Vernon is carrying the POW/MIA flag and signature book for James Vernon Dawson family. His name is on the floor of this memorial as still missing. Once found, there will be a date placed next to his name. This is why we ride. To bring them home.

Google:
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.

This is one of the most amazing memorial I have seen. Someone had to be a mathematic genius.

Lee Bush is the KY state coordinator. I never explained much about what they do. Each state has one. They make sure all the planning it set for everything in that state:
Gas stops
Meals ( location and teams)
Police officers - escorts, helping thru major cities.
Memorial
This is a big job and normally involves getting the help of a lot of people.
Today we ha escort getting thru Louisville. This included closing many ramps so no cars would be riding with us. This is huge as Louisville has lots of different routes coming together in the city.
Thanks Lee!!!

Someone took my camera and wanted me to get into a pic. Thanks 😏

Bikes everywhere.

To my surprise, the active duty gentleman riding with us, saw us off in true military fashion!

Heading out in parade fashion. Now flying the KY flags.

We have seen bikes all week but look how they lined up. Still amazes me how they fit into all the parking lots and street. LOTS of planning. There is a special group that does this. We need to make sure that all the bikes are off a highway or major street is a reasonable time. Need to keep everyone safe.

Going thru Lexington they are know for their horse parks/stables. Here are few pics I captured.

Heading to Mt. Sterling for lunch. We passed this elementary school. I think the whole school was out on the grass. They were jumping up and down and yelling. They were so excited

We arrive at our lunch destination. Check out the flag...

AHHHH... He was so excited and waving that flag with all his might.

Lunch was great!! They were ready for us. Buffet style and 3 lines. Lots of places to site and relax. AND in air conditioning. That leg was a hot one. The air conditioning felt great.

Here is Blue at a gas stop. If you were to see him on the street you may run the other way or at lease go to other side of the street. He is just a sweet as can be. Never just book by the cover.

BEAUTIFUL Blue skies. Ok thanks all, lets head out for gas then on to Nitro, WV

Horn is blown.... you have 5 minutes... get going!

Here is a good pick of the lines of platoons. See this does not look so bad.

I just has to share these pics. I could not get over the blue sky and white clouds. So pretty.

What a sight !! And it only took me 2 shots to get this.Just point and shoot and hope I get something

How long do you think this take. They have to get the fire trucks and man power to this. Attach flag then line everyone up. Remember.... we are thru these bridges in less than 10 min. There are times going thru these, I thinks of all the people and time spent ..... there is a lot of love and support for our veterans and we see it here this week. Please remember take a few minutes and thank him or her.

We get into WV and again escorted to Nitro. All ramps closed. YEAH!!

Among all the cheering and flag waving, I spot Harry. He was the president from last year. I have seen him through out the run. Standing at attention until we all get in. Steady, calm and solid. It says, I got your back and will protect you. We are Americans.

This gentleman was on the street and we rolled in on both sides of him. You hear all around you the noise. Then you see him. WELCOME HOME

Junior ROTC of Nitro

This picture from WWI was unveiled. They then played the song:

I Am Proud to be a American.

Impromptu: Look at the 2nd pic. Lots singing with tear rolling down the cheeks.

How do you follow that up..... you go get something to eat. Thanks again to all those that cooked, served, cleaned up, made deserts, iced down drinks.... and the list goes on. We could not do it with out you.