May 16, 2022 - Day 3 in Ontario
Beautiful day with the sun shining. Temp 65-75.
We actually did not move the bike today. We had the day with our RFTW family reunion.
I thought this was going to be a short post but it turned out a little lengthy.
This is Courtney with James “Gunny” Gregory, one of the founding fathers of the Run, And his wife “Pattio” with Larry. They are amazing people.
This year we are noticing a lot of our Vietnam veterans are not able to make it. The aging factor is catching up with them. And Gunny never seems to age. His spirit is never ending.
If you have read my blog since the beginning, I had the history of RFTW. Gunny put an update on the web site, I would like to share.
FREEDOM ISN’T FREE
James “Gunny” Gregory
RUN FOR THE WALL® — From Then Until Now
Since that first ride across our nation, Run For The Wall® has experienced phenomenal success and growth, carrying out our Mission each May from 1989 to the present. *
In 1998, Run For the Wall® incorporated as a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization and established a Board of Directors to formalize policies and guide the execution of our mission. At that time, one of the most pressing issues facing RFTW was the growth of our ridership. Registration numbers had reached the point where they presented very real safety concerns, and the Board of Directors was faced with two choices… either limit the number of participants, or establish a second, simultaneous Run. Not wanting to exclude anyone from this healing experience, the Board chose the latter option, and Southern Route was born. A “Recon” of the new route, led by Phil Wright, was conducted in 2000, with the inaugural full-scale Southern Route Run taking place in 2001. The original Run For The Wall® group was rechristened Central Route because its course took them through the central portion of the United States.
Run For The Wall® remained “Two Routes, One Mission” until 2013, when once again, the safety of our riders was threatened by the growth in our numbers. The Board of Directors authorized creation of a third route, Midway, so named because it took a path between those of the two existing routes. The 2013 Midway “Recon” was a blend of riders from both Central and Southern Routes, led jointly by John “Slammer” Gebhards and Dave “Trunks” Gladwill. The full-scale inaugural Run took place the following year. With the addition of Midway Route, RFTW became “Three Routes, One Mission.”
Although the Run For The Wall® Mission emphasizes healing for all veterans, and accounting for those killed or missing in action from all wars, our focus to this point had been primarily on the Vietnam war, and the majority of our ridership reflected service from that era. With many of our riders beginning to “age out” from participation in such a strenuous event, RFTW began exploring ways to attract younger veterans and active-duty riders to whom the torch would eventually pass. The Middle East Conflicts Wall Memorial, a monument located in Marseilles, Illinois, commemorates the servicemen and women who gave their lives in any of the Middle East conflicts since 1967. Incorporating this memorial into the RFTW mission seemed a natural bridge between the “Old Guard” and our younger veterans. In 2018, planning began for a fourth route to take riders to this memorial. The usual “Recon” of this route took place in 2019, under the leadership of Marcel “Senior” Miller. Unlike the other routes that travel the width and breadth of the country simultaneously, “Sandbox Route” is designed to pick up where the other routes leave off. Once the Memorial Day weekend RFTW ceremonies in Washington, D.C. are complete, Sandbox Route departs on its three-day journey to Marseilles, IL, for a separate tribute to those who served and sacrificed in our country’s current conflicts. This “WALL 2 WALL” concept embodies the best of all our routes and gives a fuller meaning to our current status as “Four Routes, One Mission.”Throughout all these changes, our mission and philosophy have remained constant and unwavering. We promote healing among ALL veterans, and their families and friends; we call for an accounting of all Prisoners of War and those Missing In Action (POW/MIA); we honor the memory of all those killed in action from all wars; and we support our military personnel all over the world. We strive to maintain a safe, supportive, and private atmosphere in which all participants can reflect and heal on their journeys to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C., and the Middle East Conflicts Wall Memorial in Marseilles, IL, in the hope that they can return home to a new beginning.
Dave Klemme “Papa Smurf “ is the president. This year he is one of our platoon leaders. Remember all are volunteers and everyone pitches in. Papa Smurf has also been Route Coordinator and Road Guard.
He got a new automatic bike and everyone is asking questions.
We are with Wild Bill and OZ. Some of our more seasoned veterans. Both are still kids at heart.
Gomez arrives on the scene. He is just Gomez…. Out of New Mexico and rides his bike all over the country. Working for awareness of all veterans.
Every year I like to walk around and look at some of the amazing paintings on bikes. Here are a few. First is this sidecar you will not believe. Looks like a mini car.
This is one of our Last Man vehicles.
All of the teams started getting their banners for their bikes. Here are a few examples.
The 5 stands for the platoon 5. This is needed for the staging crew so they know how to line everyone up.
I cornered Will Bill and asked if I could ask him about his experience in Vietnam. I got some great input.
In 1972, he was stationed in Bergstrom Air Force. He was Crew chief on the F4.
He said he “Kicked the tires, and lit the fires”.
He told of a pilot that came back into Thailand after a flight to Da Nang Vietnam. The pilot came in, and told them that they shot at me but missed. He was mistaken. There was a rocket that went right thru his wing and never exploded. His comment to Will Bill was “I thought it was flying a little weird”.
Both his parents were in WWII. They married after their service. His mom was a WAC and a First Lieutenant. His dad was the lowest ranking person at their wedding. Asked how they stayed together for over 40 year….she said he knew how to take orders.
*****
Most teams had meetings and we were no exception. This included, Platoons, staging, fueling, medical…..
The gentleman on the right is the Route Coordinator, Tom Miller. The one on the left is the assistant, Paul Marshall.
One of the neatest organizations is Combat Hero Bike Build. Every year this group will build a motorcycle for a disabled veteran. Since we have missed 2020 and 2021, there are few bikes being presented.
This bike was built for a gentleman that lost his leg in Vietnam. He got cancer and beat it. And he hopes to be able to ride with RFTW next year. He received his bike last year and has been riding.
The next recipient is a Marine. He has run 30 marathons in 30 cities. AND he is a double amputee. He is not here today but he and his wife use his bike to go fishing and hunting. NOTHING stops these guys. Great role models!!!
Next is also a single leg amputee. He is also a Darth Vader fan. Ha Ha. Check out his hat and shirt. If you cannot read the hat it says “Purple Heart, Combat Veteran, Merit, Honor, & Bravery.”
You need a helmet, vest and a flag to ride. These were provided:
This is on the back of his bike:
4.
He is a double leg amputee. AND he wanted to ride a 2 wheel bike. Most amputees will want trikes.
He texted his squadron leader, who has become a good friend, to tell him about the bike he was going to be presented. Said he would send him pictures of the bike since the squadron leader lived in a different city. The guy said that would be great.
He too received helmet, vest, and a flag:
Well maybe you could guess….. his squadron leader came out from behind the trailer and helped with the unveiling of the bike. Emotions were running thru everyone at this encounter. Ok where are the tissues….?? Did not think I would need them so soon.
He was absolutely overcome with emotions. He had lots of tears… But he was overjoyed with the bike.
The front of his bike has a soldier with stars in an evening sky. He said that while he was in Afghanistan, to relax, he would lay on the ground at night and look up at the stars.
The 2 guys were given instructions by John Barker, President:
…… Then Duane, one of our chaplains, blessed the bikes…..
…..and they were off riding around the parking lot!!!!
RFTW motto: We ride for those who can’t.
Combat Hero Build: We build so that those who couldn’t, can.
Tomorrow will be kind of a laid back day. More meetings and then later in the afternoon, all 3 routes will gather in the parking lot for one final meeting before we leave on Wednesday morning.
We still have people pulling in after long journeys to get to Ontario. Keep the thoughts and prayers coming. One day left before we ride.
Miles: 0
Temps: 65-75
WE RIDE FOR THOSE WHO CAN'T.
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