May 14, 2024 – In Ontario – Prepare to Ride Tomorrow
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Google:
Riverside National Cemetery (RNC) is a cemetery located in Riverside, California, dedicated to the interment of United States military personnel. The cemetery covers 1,250 acres (510 ha), making it the largest cemetery managed by the National Cemetery Administration. It has been the most active cemetery in the system since 2000, based on the number of interments.
Riverside National Cemetery is home of the Medal of Honor Memorial, one of four sites in the United States recognized by the U.S. Congress as a National Medal of Honor Memorial Site. The Medal of Honor Memorial walls feature the names of all medal recipients.
Definition for Medal of Honor:
- The highest US military decoration, awarded by Congress to a member of the armed forces for gallantry and bravery in combat at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty.
The names of each of the 3,455 Medal of Honor recipients is inscribed on the polished granite. The recipients are listed in decoration date order arranged by conflict period beginning with the Civil War all the way thru Iraq / Afghanistan.
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As I write this every day, I thought I would give you the definition of roles people play to get us cross country. I have also listed the number of how many for each. Here is a list you may want to reference. Remember these are all volunteers.
TEAMS (ahead of the pack)
Advanced road guard - 10 = first to go out and confirm there are no issues on the roads. Ex: detours, traffic issues, … even have been known to clear some debris off the road to keep us safe. They will also be the ones at all road exchanges, so everyone makes the turns.
Staging - 25 = Get to the next stop ahead of the pack and set up for each platoon to be staged
Fuel - 20 = They get to the gas station and clear all pump for the platoons to come in. There is no one at the gas pump when we arrive. They, along with the road guars, direct the pack how to get to the pumps and leaving the pumps
Ambassador - 15 = Thanking the people on the bridges or in the towns for coming out and supporting the Run.
Hydration - 6-8 - They carry water, Gatorade, snacks and are at every gas stop. All donated by someone or organization
Registration - 4 = In every city, they are there when we arrive, and every morning before we leave. Since not everyone can ride 10 days, many will ride only a few days. This team gets them signed up.
Merchandise team - 2 = travels with the Run selling t-shirts and other trinket
Photographer- 1 =Takes pictures along the way and post to the web site
Raffle Rousers- 2-4 = This team will be working all the riders prior to the morning meeting. This is where we will be running 50/50, auctions,.. as our way to raise money.
Outreach Team
This team will visit Gold Start families. They will go to the family and as they get there, each team member introduces themselves. They will express their condolences for their loss and thank them for service and sacrifice to their country. The Pledge of Allegiance is said and a RFTW pin is given to the family members. There is also a Gold Star patch and a certificate of appreciation from RFTW. A green bracelet is also given as a symbol of hope. They will pray with them and many times cry with them. Thanks, Outreach, for your time with our Gold Star families.
THE PACK FORMATION:
Road guard - 30-35 = they have many jobs: stop traffic on all entrance ramps, guides us thru towns at each intersection, help direct at fuel stops, and whatever it takes to keep us safe.
Missing man -5 - Route Coordinator (RC), state coordinator, person representing the missing man, missing man coordinator, chaplain.
Leadership - 6-8 = Assistant Route coordinator (ARC), mentor (this is the RC from last year), leadership, any dignitary, .... this changes daily. Could be the mayor, POW... we never know who will be there from leg to leg.
- State coordinator - Total 10 for the length of the run. Usually, 1 -2 per state. They will work with the local police, state highway patrol, sheriff for escort prior to the Run. Also coordinates with the local town for our meal stops. So, during the run, they will ride in the leadership group while going thru their state.
Platoons - 15-20 = each platoon has a platoon leader, assistant platoon leader and 1 tail gunner. In the middle are all the participants. There are usually 10-12 platoons.
Communication team - 2 = talk to truckers and 1 in back of the pack.
Medical team - 3-4 = there for any injuries or illnesses
Chaplains - 3-5 = this is a very key role. Many are on this for healing. Many remember comrades lost in war. This is a very emotional trip for everyone.
Last man - 1 - conveys to RC when the last bike is on the road/ expressway
Sit Rep Reporter - 1 - This person gives a summary of the day
Chase vehicles - 3 = They have trailers and will pick up anyone running out of gas (yes this does happen) or breakdowns.
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Totals:
If you add all this up, it is around 140 people that have roles.
Participants = 15-20 per platoon - so 200-250
At any given time, we are at 350-450 riding as a unit.
Additional Terms:
Blue Star Family - a family with a member currently serving in the Armed Forces of the United States
Gold Star Family - family member that has died during a Military Operation
FNGs = Fine new guy/gal. We welcome them to the RFTW family. When we see one (they wear pins that have FNG) they get hugs….. Pretty cool to be one as everyone comes to hug you.
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Our Midway route leaves a day early. We had the opportunity to see how it looks staging in the parking lot.
Pretty cool seeing all of them lined up.
We conclude and the platoon leaders have meetings with their riders. These meetings go into more details of what to expect.
Many of the leadership team members have more than one hat, but not all have done this. Got to have some fun. Bernadette is the FNG Liaison and an assistant platoon leader. Colors denote rolls.One last item. I may not get a chance to show these (because I will have forgotten).
In 2017, at our final meeting prior to leaving, Kelly Anderson “Deano” (on the staging team) sang a song that really stuck with me for all these years. I asked him to give me the lyrics. Remember this is from the standpoint of a Vietnam veteran after he has returned home. Also remember this ride started in 1989, for our Vietnam vets. Deano is in the middle of this photo.
Nobody Knows.
Written by Kelly Anderson.
I came home my emotions raw, No one should ever see what I saw.
I came home, not to flags and Cheers. Just the ridicule throughout the years.
I took a gun and placed it to my head. Sometimes I think that I'd be better off dead.
Chorus:
I know there's a wall, with the names of them all.
I can't make myself go, cuz nobody knows.
2nd verse:
I got down on my knees and prayed, God help me not to feel this way.
Then I heard about the Run for the Wall, I packed my bags and I rode with them all.
I rode with them mile after mile, I can't understand why they smile.
Chorus:
I know there's a wall, with the names of them all.
I can't make myself go, cuz nobody knows.
3rd verse:
Day after day, town after town. I can feel myself coming around.
But I know, The Wall is up ahead, I can't get these demons from my head.
Then I saw, 10000 people there. They said they didn't go, but they still care.
Chorus:
I know there's a wall, with the names of them all.
I can't make myself go, cuz nobody knows.
Final verse:
Family beside me, I walked down-the-line. I touched every name, and I began to cry. Brothers surround me, they wouldn't let me go. They said they love me and that they also know.
At that moment, I knew I was home. I knew that I would never be alone. Run for the Wall, you got me here. With you beside me I can beat this fear.
Final chorus:
I'm at the wall, with the names of them all. You helped me to go,
Cuz SOMEBODY knows.
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It has been one heck of a day. And it is now getting late. Cannot wait for tomorrow!!
4:30 AM comes early.
Pray for all our riders on all 4 routes for safe travels and good weather.
Quote for the day:
You are not forgotten.
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