RUN FOR THE WALL Jean and Larry: May 20, 2026 – Day 8 to DC

May 20, 2026 – Day 8 to DC - Corydon, IN to Hurricane, WV

Well... did everyone count flags yesterday? I bet you were surprised. When you see a flag, remember this Run and our freedom it represents.

Today was our last day to auction the items for the fund raiser for the kids in Rainelle. It was a bit crazy because it was raining. We had a gentleman who was a real auctioneer. That was exciting.

We start the day with our bio. Thank you for carrying this to the wall.

THIS IS WHY WE RIDE

We head into Louisville. Pretty neat to ride along the Ohio River.

Then we get into Spaghetti Junction. Can you tell why?

But look... no other cars. This is amazing to have this closed down in the middle of rush hour.

First stop today is to Rex Robley VA Medical Center

Google:

Rex Robley was born in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, and enlisted in the military in May, 1919, six months after the Armistice date. He served for 3 years. He was the last Kentucky World War I era veteran, and the last known World War I era veteran of the United States.

In 1986, Rex turned to volunteerism, lending support to fellow veterans at the Louisville Veterans Administration Medical Center. At the age of 78 he started to volunteer. Rex logged more than 14,000 hours of volunteer time while at the Center. He dedicated his life helping his fellow veterans, both through the veterans service organizations and activities at the Medical Center. He continued to volunteer there three days a week, even at age 105.

There was a gentleman that greeted me several years ago. He gave me the story about Billy. These 2 men and Billy's twin brother served in the same unit from 1968-69. They were in the 57th Assault Helicopter Company. It was the first attack on a helicopter unit. Billy's brother died in this attack and Billy was wounded. Ever since he has been helping all the people. The name "popcorn" came because he made popcorn and sold it then donated the proceeds. He bought all the supplies. Always smiling and he loves hugs!! (He has since retired.)

After his brother died, Billy was very bitter. A minister told him, you can be angry for the rest of your life, or you can choose to honor your brother's legacy. At that point, he turned his life around.

Billy welcomes us and has us all join him for the Pledge of Allegiance.

Sonia and I greeted him and he loved it. Thanks Billy for always smiling.

He is now in his 80s and his ailments from Vietnam are really affecting him.

He has stopped doing the popcorn but still goes and visits the vets.

These 2 ladies have big shoes to fill and they do it proudly.

The riders were allowed to visit with the patients. This gentleman has dementia. William Krischbaum, US Navy veteran, has wanted a RFTW hat for years. Jim "Who" made it happen. He is now an honorary platoon leader. Let us know when you get your bike, and we will get a platoon assigned to you.

A few riders enjoyed visiting with our veterans.

Remember the nice open roads thru Louisville? These are the 2 that worked on the Indiana side to get the LEOs to close down the highway. Curt, on the left, is the Indiana state coordinator. Sorry I did not get the other name. He made a lot of calls also and put note out on facebook and other media to let people know that the highway was to be closed in the morning.

Lee is the state coordinator in Kentucky and worked on the Spaghetti Junction in Louisville.

These guys engaged a lot of jurisdictions to get this done.

And everyone was willing to help keep the riders safe. There is so much respect for the Run .

Thanks guys.

Here are a few people that are currently riding in the bus I mentioned yesterday.

They are relatives of Mr. Ivers. Welcome FNGs.

Back on the road again. We get rain on and off the rest of the day.

People still come out to support the Run.

During one of our gas stops, I was talking to Shirley. She had a women's bio she was carrying to the Wall. We then asked google how many women are on the Wall. There are 8 and all were nurses.

Here Shirley carries Pamela Dorothy Donavan. She chose her because she felt there was a connection. Her daughter's name is Pamela.

Thanks Shirley for taking her bio to the wall and remembering her.

SAY THERE NAME, Never Forget.

Back on the bikes and more rain. But guess what, just like when we go to Rex Robley Hospital, the rain stopped. Coincidence?? I think not.

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As we pull into the Vietnam Memorial in Frankfort, KY, we see food tents. They have fried bologna.

This stop is one of my favorite memorials (hahaha I have several). I still do not quite understand it even though I have heard and read about it for 10 years.

Col. Cecil spent 10-15 minutes explaining the sundial.

Vietnam War Sundial

The Kentucky Vietnam Veterans Memorial was designed with a unique approach to honor the military dead from one of America's most troubled conflicts. A 14-foot high steel sundial stands at the center of a granite plaza. Its gnomon casts a shadow on the chiseled name of each fallen Vietnam war veteran -- 1,110 of them -- on the anniversary of when they were killed. Thus each individual is honored with a personal tribute.

Kentucky's 23 MIAs are listed behind the sundial, so its shadow never falls on their names. Some have been found since this was built. Those are the ones with a date. We never forget and we will not stop until we bring them all home.

If you remember when we were at Riverside National Cemetery, we asked an FNG to carry a book to get signatures as we crossed the country. This book along with a POW/MIA flag will be presented to the loved ones in the Fall of this year. The person we are doing this for is John Tapp.

SAY THEIR NAMES, NEVER FOGET.

The Memorial is one of the largest granite memorials in the nation and contains 327 cut stone panels weighing more than 215 tons. The stone came from the Pyramid Blue quarry in Elberton, GA. The lettering of the names and dates are the same style used for official government grave markers throughout the nation, including Arlington National Cemetery.

If a person's remains are found, there is a date next to their name of when it was recovered and their name is placed on the plaza.

Here is an example:

Back on the road and into the rain but let's do a U-turn first. I believe our escort headed us in the wrong way. I am sure "Boots" would not have done that.

Lunch at Mt Sterling. I feel like I just ate.

Thanks for all those that fed this crew while on our mission.

Again it stopped raining in the parking lot, and started once on the road.

Riding thru the hills of Kentucky is beautiful. Probably a good thing it was raining, that way I could not take so many pics.

Few pics coming into Nitro. Apparently there where tornado warning the hour before we got there. But you guessed it, as we got off the highway, the rains stopped.