May 24, 2022 – Day 7 – Wentzville, MO to Corydon, IN
Today we woke up to no rain. (And no snow)
Every day we have auctions and 50/50. This is to raise money for the kids at Rainelle. Wait til you see them. The morning is pretty crazy before Tom gets there.
This is a beautiful picture. The team will mail it home for you. Kind of hard to put this on the back of a motorcycle.
I love to see the salutes. There are so many veterans on this ride it is great.
Not sure what this is but looks like some kind of challenge. This is Philip Orellano, also a veteran.
Philip Orellano (FNG)
Philip gave me a bio that is about 3 pages long. He is a Sergeant Major USMC (Ret). He enlisted in 1988 and after several training classes working in the US, he was deployed in 1991 to Operation Desert Storm/Shield. He re-enlisted and applied to the Marine Security Guard Program. He served in Uruguay, Cameroon and Japan. In 1996 he was assigned to Marine Training Helicopter Squadron. He also served in Operation Iraqi Freedom. The list goes on very long. He retired from USMC 2018.
Now, Can someone please help him with what he needs for the Run. He had no rain gear and shoes that had a hole in the bottom. LOL So when it rained, his foot got wet BUT in tru Marine fashion he persevered. He actually ordered a new pair and they were shipped here in Corydon. THANK you Phillip for your service.
His roommate for this Run is Brandon Valdez (Road Guard), who also served.
I grew up in Colorado. Graduated high school in 1998 and began Marine Corps Boot Camp. Selected for Presidential Security and worked for President Clinton and President GW Bush until I was honorably discharged. Went into law enforcement in 2002. In 2004 I volunteered as a combat replacement and was assigned to 2nd Battalion 5th Marines. Served as a squad leader in Ramadi, Iraq. Honorable discharged in 2005. Went back into law enforcement until 2010. While in the Marine Corps Reserves, I was activated and assigned as an instructor for the Marine Corps Combat Hunter School. We trained Marines and contractors prior to their deployment to Iraq and Afghanistan. I have a total of 9 years in the Marines Corps and 17 years in law enforcement. I was recently working Major Crimes and plan on going back when I get promoted to Detective. Thank you ma’am!
THANK you Brandon for your service.
I am on a roll so here are 2 more I have chatted with:
Scott Gatton (FNG)
Scott is a Vietnam veteran. He was trained as a combat engineer. He was deployed to Germany. There they were supposed to put down runways and build temporary bridges. He served Jan-May 1975. Since this was the end of the Vietnam War, he never actually got to do this. Scott, like many of our vets, sometimes feel they are not true veterans. They never actually served in the war. On the Run, we know that they are veterans. Not everyone was active duty or saw action but they gave up their lives and sacrificed for their country. THANKS Scott for your service
Ed Witthar (Tail Gunner)
I went to basic training on 26 Feb 1978. Graduated Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, CA on the 25th May 1978. I received orders to report to Ft McClellan, AL., for Military Police School. After graduation I was ordered to report to the Commanding General 3rd Marine Division, 3rd Field Service Support Group for assignment to Military Police Support Company. While there I received a training injury which required me to be medivac to Scott A.F
B. Belleview, IL for medical care. Once completed I was ordered to I&I Staff Marine Corps Reserve Support Staff for FMF employability evaluation. When that process was completed I was ordered to MP Company, Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany, GA. I reenlisted and took an assignment to MP Company 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, NC. Once there I worked in the Criminal Investigation Division until I was ordered to Recruiter School. As my luck would have it I was sent there a month early, so instead they sent me across the parade deck to DI School. After graduating the 5 required platoons I completed my DI assignment. Thinking I would get orders to a base somewhere, NO! I went back across the parade deck for Recruiter School. Not happy needless to say. But, after graduation I was assigned to Recruiting Station Kansas City. When Desert Storm/Shield build up was underway I was ordered to 1st Marine Air Wing, Marine Wing Support Group 172. During the check in process I was given a 24 person platoon and given orders to secure the airfield in Kuwait. We landed in the country on Tuesday, secured the air field and then ordered back to Okinawa that Friday, total time in country 72 hours. I later received orders back to Kansas City for recruiting duty. However, the 9th District Commanding Officer knew me and reassigned me as the 9th District Quality Control Chief till I retired in 1998.
THANKS Ed for your service.
*********
There are so many veterans here and it is so great to talk to them, and to share their service lives to you. I hope to have a few more in the next few days.
We head to the first Vietnam memorial in the United States. As we park there is a lady with a sign. I recognized her from 2019. She was in the Navy in 1955. Served 2 years coordinator of the women’s barrack. She was the quarter bouncer. The next 2 year she served as a stewardess for the commanders. I would love to have talked more but time to roll out.
Wentzville Vietnam Veterans Memorial
Wentzville takes extreme pride in being home to the first Vietnam Veterans Memorial in the United States. Wentzville was the first city in the nation to realize that the troops who served in Vietnam deserved to be honored.
As it stands today, the Wentzville Vietnam Veterans Memorial consists of a single-column of red Missouri granite, topped by the carved figure of an eagle. Inscribed in the column’s base is:
Vietnam Veterans Memorial December 1967
“Whither thou goest, I will go.”
Presenting of the colors from the fireman.
Laying of the wreath , 21 gun salute and Taps are played before we depart
This mural was dedicated today for the city of Wentzville. It says:
In Honor of All Who Served in Vietnam.
Ready to go but decided to work on headsets. Bluetooth is great when they work..
Street parking at its finest!!
Police stop traffic. I am sure they are not too happy with the delay.
Traffic thru downtown St. Louis was crazy…. But we made it thru
Heading to lunch at Mt. Vernon Airport, we go thru town. WOW these ladies were great.
What a reception from the kids. They also helped serve and clean up from our visit. Thanks a lot !!
Great fried chicken on the lawn….
The Star Spangled Banner was sung …and taps were played. I have my tissues now or a napkin. No matter how many times I hear it, there are always tears. We all know the tune but do you know the lyrics:
Day is done. Gone the sun.
From the lakes, from the hills, from the sky.
All is well. Safely rest. God is nigh.
As we head out, the Huey takes off with the American flag. How cool is that? It followed us all the way to the highway. What a great send off.
This is on the way to the highway.
Down the road is another amazing site. Check out all these kids. So glad to see the kids getting involved.
This is a non-highway and not very populated. I love that the word gets out. Such support
On the road now to Corydon IN for a fish dinner!!!
You all tired of the overpasses yet. I’m not!!
Check out the different landscape. Nice winding roads and green….
You have seen us on the highway, check out the bikes coming off an exit. All traffic stopped as we headed to the last gas stop of the day.
This is on the street at our turn… pretty strong!!
At this gas station is hot dog vendor that everyone talks about. Again all donated to the guys. We just ate chicken, and we are on our way to have a fish dinner, but you have to have a hot dog.
Fun Fact:
Dewig Meats, located in Haubstadt, Indiana began in 1916 by three Dewig brothers. Today, Dewig Brothers Meat Packing is still family owned and operated by third generation Dewig meat processors. Our retail store boasts a fully stocked 12,000 ft. retail meat market, custom-cut orders & butchering & processing services. Our completely updated retail meat market features 18 self-serve cooler doors and 21 self-serve freezer doors LOADED with award winning meat products. Customer service is key, “The customer is always right,” is our motto.
The hot dogs were really good.
This is platoon 5 ready to roll
Enjoy the ride in.
As we get off exit and head to fairgrounds, LOOK at the turn out.
As we turn into the fairgrounds, I see someone I never expected to see. Our daughter and new grandson are standing on the corner…. oh my where are my tissues… This blew me away. She made about a 2 hour drive to come and see us. NOW that is cool..
We are on the road for 10 days on this journey. Many spend another week plus traveling before and after the Run. So a lot of us are away for about 3 weeks. This is nothing compared to how long our service men and women are deployed. Keep all our active duty in your thoughts and prayers.
We are now back on Eastern time. Funny thing I overheard today, I do not care what time zone we are in, just will someone tell me the current time so I am not late tomorrow.
Temp: 59-80
Route: I-64E
Total Miles: 290
Quote for the day:
Please tell him he is more than just a name on a wall
No comments:
Post a Comment