Strong Women

Same drill as last night. For the nuts and bolts of the run, go to RFTW.US , Southern Hub, Southern Sit-rep.

https://rftw.us/category/southern-route-sitreps/

This year is the XXX anniversary of Run for the Wall. Someone decided it was time to have an all female platoon leadership. This year the 2nd platoon is comprised of Eyes (me) as the Platoon Leader, Mojo (Diann) as the Assistant Platoon Leader and Happy Jackie as the tail gunner. ALL WOMEN.

We decided we didn't want to give out challenge coins as is customary, we wanted to do something different. Mojo had these really cool pins made for us, featuring Joan of Arc, a Strong Women. Because we are strong Women, leading veterans to the Vietnam Memorial.

Today I had the honor to give out a few pins. One to Wildcat, A road guard that works super hard all day to keep riders safe and rolling at the right time in the right direction, a strong woman.  Another pin I gave to a female rider, Shannon who is also an MIA daughter,  a strong woman.

And then when we arrived in Wilcox, AZ the police department lined up to be recognized for escorting us in and out of town. Guess what, one female police officer amongst the 10 male officers. I just had to give her a pin!

Her name is Marsha, she nearly cried when I present her with a pin. This is what I say when presenting a Joan of Arc, 2nd Platoon, 30th anniversary pin. First I explain the Joan of Arc thing and the first ever all female platoon and then I say,



"To a strong woman; may you be one, may you know one,  may you ride with one" 


Had a great day. The RFTW riders are wonderful. Everyone is super respectful of the female platoon. No special treatment is expected and none is given. By the way, none of us are crazy feminists or anything. We have husbands and boyfriends and love our men.

Finally, a shout out to my good husband who gassed up my bike tonight so I could come in and write the Run for the Wall - Sit-Rep. You're the best my honey, love you!

Good night and God Bless, 345 mile day tomorrow.

Day 1, Ontario CA - Chandler AZ, 50 Mile Detour

Since I began this blog, five years ago I have new Run for the Wall Responsibilities. I know write the office sit-rep "situational report" every night for the Southern Route. I also post to social media sites for the Southern Route, I am in platoon leadership. Due to these responsibilities, I can't keep up this blog as well as the official one. Please check out the official blog at RFTW.us, Southern Route Hub, Southern Route Sit-Rep.

Here's a link: https://rftw.us/9252-2/

I thought I would post the verbiage from the official sit-rep (below) but then  I'll add my thoughts and impressions that might not be appropriate for the official blog.

I can't believe I am a Platoon Leader! You know my road name is Wrong Way Eyes. I am riding as the Platoon Leader for the 2nd Platoon. Let's hope I don't make a wrong turn and take 300 motorcycles with me! My road guard, Care Bear, his road name is really Caretaker, but I like Care Bear better, anyway, he has assured me he won't let me go the wrong way.  Ha, he's always off riding somewhere else in the pack. It's all on me, keep me in your prayers that I don't go the wrong way!

Today is was hotter than heck! We took a 50 mile detour to avoid some problem on I-10. I thought for sure we were lost in the desert and the Arizona State Troopers had no idea where the Chandler Harley Davidson deal was located. We eventually arrived, an hour late.

On a serious note, it is such an honor to ride with MIA daughters and sons, with Veterans of not only Vietnam but Desert Storm, Iraq and Afghanistan. Helping to escort these veterans and family members is a small thing I can do for the freedoms I enjoy.  More tomorrow!

Official Sit-Rep Post incase you don't want to look it up.

It was a beautiful morning to kick off the XXX Run for the Wall. 

3 Routes - 1 Mission

To quote Board of Director President, Les Williams, "This is a mission, not a joy ride. We are here for our brothers & sisters. The rider's meeting began with the usual, prayer, pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America and The National Anthem. 

As the National Anthem began a quiet hush fell over the crowd. Slowly and gently, voices could be heard joining in. The voices swelled in one united chorus. Brought chills to my bones and made me that much prouder to be an American 🇺🇸.

The Flag ceremony was performed by the 2nd Battalion, 23rd Marines. Les dismissed them immediately so they could spend time with their families, as they are being deployed soon. May God Bless them and keep them. 🙏🏻

James Gregory "Gunny" was then presented with the one thing he's never been awarded, an FNG patch. Hahaha! ismissed the group with these words, "We will meet again in Washington D.C." Amen! And we were off! 

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bi2Ir1tlNdS/?taken-by=runforthewall

The Southern Route made it to their first stop, 92 miles, a little ahead of schedule. Wookie shared the story of Specialist Elliott Crook, assigned to Company A, 101st Aviation Battalion, 101st Airborne Division: "The Screaming Eagles" 

On May 16, 1971 Spc Crook was the crew chief of a UH1H helicopter. Other crew members: Lt. Joseph P. Nolan, pilot; W1 Craig L. Farlow, aircraft commander, and SP4 Timothy J. Jacobsen, door gunner. The helicopter was the 7th to land on the LZ. On departing the LZ, pilots of 5th & 6th helicopters reported taking enemy fire. LT. Nolan reported that he was taking heavy ground fire, that his crew chief was wounded. Lt. Nolan immediately took off and at 250 feet, witnesses saw his aircraft rapidly lose roter RPM and crash into the tree tops, bursting into flames. No No survivors were seen to exit the aircraft. The crew is missing in action. 

THIS IS WHY WE RIDE!

 "Man doesn't die as long as he is remembered" WE REMEMBER! 

We left Coachella ahead of schedule for the 92 mile ride to Blythe. Four miles in, we left California and entered Arizona. We also crossed the Colorado River. The ride was beautiful, saguaro Cacti on either side of the road. The cacti have new growth right now. The tops of the cactus look like they are growing hair.  The ride was a little hot, my temperature gauge pegged at 120, but it's a dry heat 🤪.

Blythe rolled out the red carpet. The Blythe JROTC conducted a beautiful remembrance ceremony. 

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bi2dUkbll0L/?taken-by=runforthewall

I ate lunch with an MIA son, Joe Stuart, he is an FNG rider. I have his Father's biography and will share it another day. We are honored to have Joe riding with us. We love you Joe and are glad you decided to join us. 

Pulled out of Blythe, again ahead of schedule. Bee lined it for the Tonopah - Shell Station. Once in Tonapah, we learned there was a problem on the I10 and Arizona State Troopers would be escorting us on the detour. WELL, little did we know it was a 50 MILE DETOUR! Through the Sanora Desert National Monument Park, beautiful detour.  The route was supposed to be 68 miles, it ended up being 114 miles. I was beginning to wonder if anyone at the front new where the heck the Chandler Harley Davidson was located.We finally arrived, enjoyed cheeseburgers and mac & cheese, called it a night and went to the host hotel. 

I'll end with today's quote in the Southern Route itinerary. "My responsibility, our responsibility as lucky Americans, is to try to give back to this country as much as it ha given us, as we continue our American journey together." GEN Colin Powell. 

Riding for Those Who Can't

This string of dog tags are from the Patriot Guard Rides I have been on. They hang in my den in a prominent place, where they are constantly in view. Today as I walked by and thought of the young men that gave their all, it occurred to me that in addition to riding for Ray Burmaster Browne, KIA 1/16/64,  I should ride for the young men whose dog tags hang in my den.

These young men gave their all for me, for us! I thank God everyday for young men willing to sacrifice for freedom. The song "We will not Forget" by Mark Harris is a beautiful tribute that sums up beautifully, why we ride. Because we will never forget the price that was paid for freedom.

WE WILL NOT FORGET
by: Mark Harris

On distant shores they fought a war
Though they were just mere boys they stood their ground
They made us proud
Some made it home but some gave all they had to give
They gave their lives for us
They died for us
Hope for a desperate nation
Some call them the greatest generation

We will live for freedom
Never give up on freedom
We will not forget
For they died for freedom
We will not forget

We won't forget the price of freedom
That was sacrificed upon that hill
It echoes still
And may we never be afraid to stand and say in God we trust
Yeah, in God we trust
There's hope for the next generation
Let us rise and make a declaration

We will live for freedom
We will not forget
That you died for freedom
Gave your life for freedom
We will not forget

To thank you for the price you have paid

Day 6 - Crossing the Mississippi, bridges and friends

I consider the 6th day of the run the overpass or BRIDGE DAY. Driving through Louisiana and Mississippi there are a number of overpasses and just about every single one is lined with patriotic, flag waving Americans. Will Rogers said, "We can't all be heroes, some of us have to stand on the curb and clap as they go by".   The good people of Louisiana and Mississippi have got the standing on the curb down(or in this case overpass). We saw hundreds and hundreds of people on bridges, waving flags, and cheering as the veterans ride by. It sure gives one hope in America.



Some bridges only had one person. Sometimes they were saluting, holding a vest or waving.


There were firetrucks on a few bridges with a flag suspended from the the ladder. It is truly amazing the love and support shown to the veterans by the patriots of Louisiana and Mississippi.













Another highlight of the day: Because Don is the Assistant Platoon Leader for 1st Platoon he had 6 dignitaries riding into Jackson, Mississippi with him today. Pictures here is the Governor of Mississippi thanking him for a smooth ride into Jackson. (Never see that happen with Jerry Brown from California😜)











One of the best things about Run for the Wall is the opportunity to make new friends. This is one of the new friends I met this year. Very nice guy! He has one of the best road names I've ever heard. "On the Five"

First, he is from  California, near the 5 freeway. He and some buddies were going to ride down to Mexico. He was supposed to meet them on the five. Well, he was there waiting for them and they just rode on by and left him "on the five".

I was honored to give him a "Vietnam War, I served sticker". As a Department of Defense Vietnam Commemoration Partner and a Daughter of the American Revolution. I was shocked he put it on the windshield of his brand new, beautiful, shamrock green Harley.

Tomorrow is day 7 when we ride into Chattanooga, reminds me of riding in LA.

Practice Run Tomorrow - 40 Days Out

40 Days Till RFTW 

Only 40 days till riders meet up in Ontario, California  at the Radisson Hotel.  That means, it's time to get super serious about practice runs. Tomorrow we head out for a 250 mile ride to Blythe, CA. Part of the ride will be exactly the same route as Day 1 of RFTW.  Riding conditions will be similar to what we will experience on the first day. Okay, maybe not quite as hot or structured but as close as we can get without the real deal. 

Looking forward to a great day of riding. I'll fill you in tomorrow night on how the ride went. 

For those of you wanting to join us for the start of the run, be at the Ontario Radisson Hotel on Wednesday, May 13, 2015. The ceremony begins at 6:45 a.m. Plan to arrive early as parking is a challenge but doable! 

I am looking forward to seeing DAR friends and ALR Post 716 friends at the send off. 

Ontario Radisson Hotel

2200 East Holt Blvd. 

Ontario, CA 

Time to get off the fence!

It looks as if the time for fence sitting is over. Fence sitting??? Yes, I have been sitting on the fence trying to decide whether to ride by own bike or once again ride on the back of my good hubby's bike.

This week I received an email from Chicken Joe, Assistant Route Coordinator, Southern Route, Run for the Wall, stating:

"Eyes,

You have been placed into a Tail Gunner position in the 4th Platoon with Robert "Old School" Reavis at the Platoon Leader.  He is excited to be able to take you into the platoon."

So that's it folks, I will be riding myself. The slow speed maneuvering has been my only struggle. It's a big bike and when it's slow going I feel like it's going to fall over. I have been out riding every Friday and Saturday for months and will continue to do so until May 13, when the run officially begins.
I am excited!!! Please follow along with us as we "Ride for Those That Can't" on our journey to the Vietnam Memorial.

Photo Selection

I have been looking at "Run for the Wall" photos almost all day to the point that I am dizzy. It is so hard to choose which photos will make the cut and which will not. I thought I'd share a few nice ones I came across today.

A park Ranger makes a rubbing at the Vietnam Wall

Paying Respects at The Wall

Every time I visit a National Cemetery I am reminded of the price of freedom. 

It's Tuesday so we must be in Chattanooga

Sat down and made a list of what day we will be staying where. I can see it now, "it must be Sunday  so we must be in Louisiana, hahahaha. Kidding aside, after four or five days I will forget what day it is and where we are. I am hoping this will help. I might need to laminate it tape it to the windshield of the bike. Oh wait, like Don would ever let me put tape on his precious baby. 

We are going to start packing today. We are allowing ourselves one change of clothes so one to wear and one to wash. Yikes, that doesn't seem like enough. I might have to rethink that one. And only two pair of shoes, yeah right. I will at least need my riding boots, pair of flip-flops and a pair of Converse. That might get me through. 

Preparing for Extreme Weather Conditions on the Ride

Preparations continue. Riding 10 days,  across the United States requires serious planning. The ride begins in Rancho Cucamonga, California, passing through Arizona where it may or may not be blistering hot,  New Mexico, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, Virginia and on into Washington DC. We will more than likely have super hot weather with temperatures above one hundred and on the flip side we may encounter rain, snow and hail. I don't like extreme temperatures in weather so I am preparing for any and every weather extreme we may encounter.

My neck gets very cold on rides, even warm rides.  I have tried wearing a scarf, but what do you do with the long tails. I am not trying to make a fashion statement and don't want a scarf tail whipping around behind me as we cruise down the road at 80 MPH.  So, in preparation I have knitted two cowls. This solves the tail problem but still gives me a nice warm wool covering for my neck.  I always like clothing options, so I knitted two cowls. One in typical motorcycle style, dark gray.  I chose a Possum/Wool blend from New Zealand. I think it will be warm and toasty. You may be wondering why I chose a Possum yarn and we may discuss that in a future post. Nasty pesky critters, especially the ones in New Zealand.

The other Cowl is knitted with an Aran weight yarn from Cascade Yarn Company in the color Liberty. Hahaha, yep, it's red, white and blue, my favorite color. Don't question it, Red White and Blue is one color in my world and they don't run!