May 26, 2022 - Day 9 – Nitro, WV to Lewisburg, WV
Today is the day we go to Rainelle to see the kids. This is the school we have raised all the money for. Last day for the military and platoon challenges, last day for auction....
Below are the buckets for the military challenge.
Everyone is glad we are inside since it is raining today…. ugh !
Tom concludes..
HOW FAR WE GOING????
ALL THE WAY !!!!
Sidney joined yesterday. Her dad (Dan), brother (Curtis) and uncle(Jed) have been riding since Ontario. However I guess no one brought extra rain gear. No worries, Mama G had some. LOL
Nice to see the younger generation taking an interest in the Run.
Hey, did you get that umbrella from Walrus?
This young man has been standing every year on this same block for RFTW since he was one. He is now 17. He stands there the whole time the bikes are rolling in and out.
His grandmother worked in one of the buildings in the capital. The grandmother's husband is a Vietnam vet. He served from 1966-1969. One year actually in Vietnam as a radio operator.
They have been married for 50 years. I admire all the women who have stayed with their husbands from the Vietnam War (or any war). They too have suffered. Many of our soldiers have changed and have problems with coping yet the spouses have stayed with them Thanks ladies. This goes also for any women that served. Thanks guys for sticking with your wives. Here is her husband.
We get to the capital to see the West Virginia Veteran Memorial. Everyone still in rain gear walked up to the memorial.
Spectacular!!! It has 4 sections for WWI, WWII, Korea and Vietnam. On the inside are the names of those from WV that died. Incredible.
This is an example of the list of names
We are not able to take a pic on the capitol steps as they are under repair.
New since the last time we were here is the Gold Star Memorial. It is beautiful.
We always watch the road guards as they seem to have the inside scoop on the rain. They have no rain gear. Yeah!!
A little fun before we leave. Ron’s daughter’s give their dad a kiss. Ahhhh way cute.
Ok boys….my turn…oh my maybe not.
THANKS…!!!
We were allowed to park up at the steps of the capitol. And check it out, BLUE skies. It should be a beautiful ride up to Rainelle.
Rolling out:
Then we see these 2 gentlemen.
Enjoy the ride up the mountain to Rainelle. The road was amazing and the people along the way kind of blew me away.
HERE WE COME!!! FNGs get ready!!!
He was standing across the street from the school. So much respect and support for the Run..
Rolling past the school . HOLY COW!!! Look at the kids.
We have to roll past the school to turn around. I see this hill and it looks kind of like snow. But if you look closer, it is 11,000 flags.
Now that we have stopped, and put kickstands down, we can go see the kids. They want OUR autograph. Pretty funny. Most of us have brought trinkets, pens, pins.... to give the kids. It is like Halloween. Enjoy the pics.
As a kid, this woman remembered having RFTW role thru when she was in kindergarten. Her daughter is now also in kindergarten. I have talked to several people who are first or second generation to the Run. Pretty impressive that the Run has been around that long.
Remember I told you we sign their books… Well Ron likes to have the kids sign his shirt. The kids love it.
We head into the school for dinner. Spaghetti!!! and for desert they have banana pudding. The best ever.
As we walk thru the school, there are posters from years past. Lots of them…
….and all over the school are pictures the kids have made especially for our visit.
There are two first graders that led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Look at the smile on her face.
The rest of the kids follow. They said it loud and proud, with hands over their hearts.
The 4th and 5th graders came up and sang the Star Spangled Banner.
Loud and Proud again. OH MY!!! Tissue please.
Kim is the principal. She is shocked by the amount of money we have delivered. This money is used for laptops, field trips, gym equipment,...etc. There are a few other schools we also donate to.
We end the day with her saying THANK YOU!!!! SOOO MUCH !!!! and kids clapping.
Tomorrow is day 10. We are heading into Washington DC. We have been thru all kinds of weather and tomorrow will be no exception, probably the hardest day. We will have rain heading into DC. Friday afternoon on the Memorial Day weekend, with everyone heading out of town, all the riders will have to me on their “A” game.
Prayer warriors let's get busy please.
Temps: 57-71
Route: I-64E, Rt 60
Miles: 121
Quote: The Price of Freedom is Written on the Wall
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