May 28, 2024 - Sandbox - Lafayette, IN to Marseilles, IL

 May 28, 2024 - Sandbox - Lafayette, IN to Marseilles, IL

Today is the last day to ride with RFTW for this year.  

We start the day with Hebrew prayer from Boots.  It ends with "Shalom" meaning peace.  This is what we want for all the world

Catfish gives us update on the roads for today. All backroads. Long and flat, keep alert. 

Gump then gets up.  He was a POW and said if it was not for RFTW, he would not be who he is today.  He told us a little about his capture, March 23, 2003 Iraqi Freedom.  11 killed, 8 POW, 1executed, 1 hour later Marines showed up and 18 killed.  35 in all killed for our country.  He then started reciting the name. Shouting them One by one.....of those from his company.   It was very quiet, even the wind stopped blowing and the flags stopped waving. He is riding for them.

SAY THEIR NAMES, TELL THEIR STORIES, SO THEY ARE NOT FORGOTTEN

 Gunny got up and talked about the patriots in Vietnam.  Told about 59 civilian women killed.  Many civilians captured and we do not know how many because there is no record of them.  Like the reporter, photographers...  WE RIDE FOR THEM also!!

As we complete the meeting, Blue yells:

WHERE ARE WE GOING?    

WALL 2 WALL

We head to Indiana Veterans home.  What a great reception.

Several of the residents came out to visit with us.

This gentleman insisted on walking to meet everyone.  

 A little fun.  Stephen wanted a hat flipped up like Gomez.

This is Polar Bear.  He gave me a ride all day today. Jenny bike was not feeling so good today. 

 As we leave, I walk over to this tank to get a picture.  There was a person there that is the grounds keeper.  He told me a story.  He had his grandson walking around with him and showing him the grounds.  The little boy stopped and waved to the tank.  The man asked why he wave.  He said he waved to the three soldier sitting on the top.

Every route has a missing man for every leg.

Here is how it looks on the road.

Next stop is lunch at Legion Park in Watseka, IL. 

Great reception for residents and team members.

Jenny getting a little help from her family.  

We have and great weather and this is a beautiful place for a picnic.

I guess some found a spot for short nap.  LOL

 It takes so many volunteers to get everyone to the destination, Heidi had awards to present.

Back on the road and look at this.  Well..... hopefully it stays on our left.

NOPE... we made turn and headed right into it.

God had a great sense of humor.  I guess he wanted to make sure our bikes were clean at the Wall.

10 minutes later we were all clear.

Back on the road to Marseilles for the Middle East Conflicts Wall.  Our final destination.

Great reception.  Thanks guys.

We carried Matt Maupin cross country.  He lived about 20 minutes for us.


Please read this.  No mother, wife, sister, dad,...should ever have to bury a son that died this way.

He severed so we had freedom.

Coins here have a meaning:

1. Penny: If you notice a penny on a headstone, it means that someone visited the grave. It’s an act of gratitude for the person’s service. Anyone—whether a family member, friend, or fellow service person—can leave a penny as a token of respect.

2. Nickel:

   A nickel left on a gravestone indicates that the visitor trained at boot camp with the deceased veteran.

3. Dime:

   When you see a dime on a headstone, it signifies that the visitor served alongside the deceased military member.

4. Quarter:

   A quarter has a particularly heavy association. If you notice a quarter, it means that a previous visitor was present when the soldier passed away.

This is a very sacride place.  If you have a chance to see it, please do

Heidi declares the Missions Complete and places the plaque.

Many stand and they remember their comrades as the Kim plays her bagpipes. All remain silent.

Many traveled 1000's of miles, have been away from family for weeks, went on one of the prior routes and now stand with the new and old family members completing our mission.

WE NEED TO LIVE A LIFE 

WORTHY OF THEIR SACRIFICES

So do not disappoint them.

As we headed to Chicago to drop off Courtney, there were some beautiful cloud formations.  God’s way of showing us he is always there for us. (and no rain!!)  Thanks for a beautiful evening.

Total about 6700 miles

May 27, 2024 - Sandbox - St. Clairsville, OH to Lafayette, IN

 May 27, 2024 - Sandbox - St. Clairsville, OH to Lafayette, IN

Today was a long day but a good one. 

We started our meeting with a prayer and had a few of the younger generation to start the Pledge of Allegiance. 

Next, we had "Sireen" sing the Star-Spangled Banner.  It is so cool to hear this every morning.

We load up and head to St. Clairsville City. Such a neat small town.  FYI we will have a police escort all the way thru Ohio.  Sorry road guards.

We get a great welcome so early in the morning.  The band is playing, and we all sing Star Spangled Banner again.  That is ok, I love the patriotism. we should all know the words by now :-)

Look at this building.  The architecture is amazing.

Taps is played by one of the high school students.  Very good.... where are those tissues?

 One of the speakers says the Irish Blessing.  Wow.. I have not heard this in a while, and it really hit home.... pass those tissues again.

She also mentioned Bob Hope.  He visited the service men and women from WWII to the Persian Gulf.  His comment was  "I've never left home".

So true while on the Run.  Everyone is so kind and loving and makes us welcome... just like being at home.

Even Santa joined us.

As we head out Bernadette is writing the direction on the windshield.  Many do this as it is easier than trying to read a piece of paper.  Pretty smart...

OK let's roll.  Love the flag... it looks like it is saying I got your back.

The skies were like this all day.  No rain but lots of clouds.  As long as nothing like Kansas, I am ok.

Yeah, we have a few people on the bridge.  Sandbox is still pretty young that not many know about it like the others routes.  It is only 4 years old but getting there.

Our next gas stop.  Organized chaos, but it works.  They can do 200 bikes in about 15 minutes.  Depends on how many pumps are open.  

They give the road guards whistles.... not sure that is a good idea... but with all the motors running it can get pretty loud.

OR... they can do this to get the attention of the riders.  Either way is effective.

Check out the roads.... no one on them.... Sweet

Great color.  You know me yet???  Got to get the beauty of the great nation out there.

We even got to go on some back roads.  Nice to get off the highway sometimes.

Courtney lives in Chicago and loves her Skyline. But she does not get it there.

 Larry found some down the road from our lunch stop and got some for her.  She was in heaven

Time for a little nap in the shade.

Construction in Indianapolis was crazy.  We all have to file through the left track.  We all made it.  Way to go guys.  By this time the riding skills have improved a ton.

Dinner tonight at the Harley Davidson dealer in Lafayette.  GREAT dinner.  Thanks all.

After dinner there was a Gold Star Mother's Candlelight Vigil.  One of the gold star mothers told of her son.  She said this is a club that no one wants to belong to.  She was presented with a flag. Then everyone was given a candle.  This was a great idea, but the winds had something to say about that.  After prayer, we were all dismissed to get ready for our last day.

A little fun tonight. Someone got Blue some blue false eye lashes.  

With little help from Courtney, Blue looks great.  HAHAHA

    

Destination: Lafayette, IN

Miles:  359

Temps: 63-72

Quote: I am a veteran. My oath of enlistment has no expiration date.