DAY 10 - ALL THE WAY

Day 10 dawned bright and beautiful. Tree of Life Ministries was our host for breakfast and the morning meeting. Many of the agencies and groups that supported us through Virginia were thanked. Jim Zellers, the Virginia State Coordinator did a great job arranging all the stops, food and gas, thanks Jim!

WE MADE IT ALL THE WAY! We pulled into Arlington with much fan fare. The midway route lined the curbs clapping and cheering us into the staging area. Such a bittersweet moment to have completed the mission. 10 days of being driven with one purpose, one goal and one target, Charlie Mike, Complete the Mission.

Pulling into Arlington, VA and the completion of the mission.

Tomorrow we will ride into Arlington National Cemetery and visit The Wall to pay our final respects.

Day 2 - Riding Sideways

I have never ridden a motorcycle sideways, didn't even know it was possible. Crossing the Arizona desert into New Mexico there was a strong wind warning. Hahaha, we found the wind and rode right through it. All the bikes were riding sideways trying to counter act the wind gusts that were trying to blow us over. Woohoo, what a ride!!!!

We have enjoyed catching up with friends we met last year, like Sergeant Major, out of Texas. He served 34 years as a Marine, three time purple heart recipient.  Picture below. I guess he is happy to see me too :)

Photo by Ron Stewart Photography, thanks Ron!

The police escorts are so helpful and make the trip across a state go so much smoother. New Mexico had six police escorts guiding us into Las Cruces. These six guys worked hard riding from one freeway on ramp to another, shutting it down until all the bikes passed and then riding ahead to block the next on ramp. They did this for roughly 100 miles. I think they have fun doing it as much as we enjoy watching them.

Funny thing, I am the tail gunner for fourth platoon. Every time a police bike would pass into my view, I would hear someone on the radio say 4. I finally figured out someone was stating that the police escorts were approaching the 4th platoon, roughly the middle of the pack. While riding I couldn't imagine that the police were transmitting on Channel 2, the channel we were using.  When we stopped for dinner I asked if it was them saying 4 every time they passed me. Sure enough, it was. I guess they didn't want to clutter up the airwaves saying 4 over and over on the police bands.  Pretty cute boys I think.

We traveled 398 miles today, serious wind, a little rain, a little wind storm and a nice cloud cover that kept things cool. I am so busy herding the platoon down the road I don't have too much time for visiting. Hopefully tomorrow I'll have a little more time for stories. Tomorrow, 345 miles, Las Cruces, NM to Odessa, TX

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 

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. 

One little muffin

One little muffin can represent so much. The good folks of Meridian, MS served the riders breakfast at the Lauderdale County Agricultural Center. It didn't seem to be a very affluent community but these good people baked hundreds and hundreds of muffins for us. It was extremely touching.  Such a simple, humble gesture showed how much these good people appreciate the sacrifices made by our veterans.

Lost in a sea of Harleys

No matter how hard I tried to triangulate our location, after every lunch break I would lose our black Harley amidst the hundreds of other black Harleys on the ride.  This picture shows perfectly how easy it was to become lost in the sea of Harleys. Before next year I need to devise a new system cause triangulation didn't work so well.

What's in a platoon?

After multiple plane delays, I am finally on a flight headed to LA. The flight has given me a chance to go through photos from the first couple of days. How odd to look through the photos and remember at the time I took the photo wondering who these people were and what prompted them to run for the wall. And now, some 12 days later we are friends and I know them and they know me. 

A little bit about the logistics of the Run for the Wall. The first day in Rancho Cucamonga you check in with Shirley (Top Sarge) she issues you the orange tie for your bike which denotes you as a registered participant. She also pins you with your FNG button, if you are in fact an FNG. What is an FNG, you ask, Fine New Guy or Gal. Hahaha, we all know what it really stands for but this is a G rated event. Which I am grateful for. 

This is Jim, somewhere between California and Washington DC he earned the name Shamu. You can see Shamu's FNG pin. Each year the FNG pin changes color, so with one glance you can tell who the new guys are. I think it's kind of funny that Jim received his road name, Shamu from Spoon. The guys up in Hollister must have a thing for food and eating. 

Once you arrive in DC the FNG pin is turned upside down denoting that you are no longer an FNG and next year there will be a whole new crop of them.  I plan on having a lavendar patch made with FNG 2014 embroidered on it. It is sewn upside down on your vest. I earned it so I guess I'll wear it. It's fun to see the old ones. 

After you check in with top sarge you drive around where a road guard randomly places you in platoons. Once you park and check in with your platoon leader you are given a sticker for your bike. 

I know, I know there are lots of stickers on the bikes. The one I am referring to is the little red number 4. This is how the road guards know what platoon to direct you to when 400 bikes roll into the staging area. 

You might think all platoons are created equal, but it is not so. 

Platoon 1 is comprised of the most seasoned riders and the riders in leadership positions. The first platoon is probably the smallest platoon. The first platoon rides side by side verses staggered. 

Platoon 2 also rides side by side verses staggered. FNGs are not allowed to ride in Platoon 2 until three days into the run after they have proved themselves to be competent riders. 

Platoon 3 -7 is comprised of riders that prefer to ride staggered not side by side. 

Platoon 8 is the trikes

Platoon 9 is lovingly referred to as trailer trash as they are the bikes that are pulling trailers. Most of them camp instead of hoteling it and haul their camping gear in the trailer. 

There's some beautiful trailer trash. 

Looks like we are beginning our descent into LA. I'll bring your more news of the ride in the coming days. It is going to be difficult to return to real life after experiencing Run for The Wall. 

Day #6 Monroe LA to Meridian MS

I know this may seem impossible but today was bigger and grander than all the previous days put together. I will attempt to share with you what the riders experienced today. I fear unless you go on a Ride For the Wall you will never understand what an amazing experience it is. 

Today's Hero Board

First I was very humbled today to be in the presence of some super American Heroes!!! Jackson, Mississippi hosted lunch for us. They flew in some American dignitaries and heroes. Steve L. Munro, director of US Veterans Affairs spoke to the group. Today's tip of the day comes from Steve. 

"Son, keep your head down and your ass up. We can patch your ass up all day long"

The next speaker was Lt. Thomas R. Norris, Medal of Honor recipient for his ground rescue of two downed pilots in Vietnam on April 10, 1972. After the meeting we went to meet him. He hugged me and thank Don and I for going on the ride. He was so incredibly humble telling us that he didn't do anything anybody else wouldn't do. I pointed to the medal hanging around his neck and said, 

this says otherwise." He was so kind and very humble and while he looked frail he had a very strong voice and presence. 

Later in the day I found myself conversing with two GOLD STAR Mothers. Wow, talk about sacrificing for your country. It was so humbling being in their presence. Both beautiful women that love their country and their sons. 

        Wilma Allen - me - Dianne Layfield 

Jackson,  Mississippi has a welcoming committee like nothing I have ever seen. The police escorts were beyond spectacular!!! You get 60 - 70 motor officers riding in a block formation with their blue lights flashing it gets your attention. 

Then you throw in FIVE helicopters. According to my in the know husband flying over head was a UH1, a Cobra, and a Cessna L19 Bird dog plus a police helicopter or two. I tried to get some good shots. The problem is I took 368 shots. It's going to take some time to find the really good ones. 

What the pictures don't get across is the noise of these powerful machines, both the motorcycles and the helicopters. Then you throw in the occasional cannon fire. Oh, I forgot to mention the cannon lining the road that were fired here and there. Then there were the flag waving people, that seemed to be EVERYWHERE! 

This is a day I will never forget. 

One of the nicest most touching things I have seen were the two women in Miridian, Mississippi collecting riders dirty laundry which they will wash and return in the morning at 5 am clean. I cannot EVER remember anyone offering to wash my dirty clothes. Much less hundreds of strangers. 

Then there's the people we have met. 

Cute Deb pledges that served us water and dessert. 

Spoon & Jim that have been riding with us since the beginning.

I am going to end tonight with how we begin every morning with a little bio or story telling why we ride. 

This gentlemen here is good friends with SSG Robert F. Scherdin and SSG Richard J Lacey both been MIA since 1968. Which is why he rides. 

I experienced so much more today that I have not the energy or time to share. Please check in tomorrow.

I am posting through out the day on Facebook Page - Riding For the Wall and on Twitter @rideforthewall. 

Till tomorrow. 

Day 4 Odessa TX to Prairie TX

Wow, What a day!!!!

Began at the usual 5am. It's getting harder to get up. Made it to the staging area on time and inside the American Legion Post 340 for a delicious breakfast of... you guessed it, biscuits and gravy, sausage, bacon, eggs, hash browns all homemade by the post members. I tried to hold back, only half a biscuit.

Met a few interesting characters, there's the General, he made us the "FNG" bead lanyard. See the little dog in the picture with him. That's driver, she has been on seven rides with him. Rides on the front of his bike. I will try to get a picture of them on their bike tomorrow. I love the goggles!

I began wondering why we were having these wreath laying ceremonies every single day, sometimes a couple a day. Then today I had the honor of participating in one. Made a difference, now I get it 

I saw the faces of the Vietnam Veterans as the wreath was laid and as they came up to the monument to trace their finger across the map of Vietnam. These veterans have not had or in some cases taken the opportunity to deal with that time of their life. This ride gives them 11 days of being with like minded people that love and support them and allow them to feel the love, pride and support of the American people. 

I had a Vietnam Veteran tell me a few days ago that whenever he begins to feel out of sorts he knows it's time to go on another run for the wall. 

The favorite part of my day was visiting Colorado City, Texas, a small town of 5 square miles and a population of 2,000 people. 

What the town did the the riders was a miracle. First off when we pulled in to "filler er up" the gas was paid for. Come to find out, the citizens of Colorado City paid for it. The fire department hung a huge flag to welcome us. Lunch was delicious, steak, chicken, potato salad and the most delicious bacon wrapped poppers I have ever tasted. Then they had a program with tap dancers, violin solo, a community band, students shared their veteran biographies and a Boy Scout leader sang, Proud to be an American. Wasn't a dry eye in the place. Colorado City wins for most patriotic city visited to date. I hear Tennessee is quite amazing. 

So here's a couple shots from Colorado City.

And finally, I thought it was time to talk motorcycles, but to tell you the truth I am so tired. I think I will save it for tomorrow. Here's a shot of Kenny on his bike. Can you name the bike? Kenny is a very nice Vietnam Vet from Colorado State. 

Please excuse any typos or grammatical errors, I am just too tired to care. For current on the ride information follow us on twitter @rideforthewall or Facebook page Ridingforthewall

I am better about posting on the fly throughout the day. 

Good night.

Day 1 - Rancho Cucamonga, CA to Phoenix, AZ

Today was beyond belief. I have cried, laughed, sweated, met new friends and heard some incredible stories. It has been a long day and tomorrow is going to be the same. I have so much to share. I will try to be brief so I can sleep and you won't be bored. 

Let's start with the tip-of-the-day: when the 10 minute horn blows you better have a full tank of gas and an empty bladder. Good stuff to know. 

Our first gas up was an experience, truly an organizational miracle, 200+ bikes gassed and back on the road in 30 minutes.  There are so many bikes and they pull in so close, it gets a little hairy. When we stopped in Blythe while waiting in line to get gas, I jumped off the bike ran into the mini-market bought two Diet Cokes and was back on the bike before Don was finished gassing up. So happy to get my diet coke fix. 

I think I'll finish today's blog post with a:

Today's Heroes Board

Meet Sam-he served 32 years in Vietnam and Desert Storm. Recipient of 4 Purple Hearts. Sam is super friendly and has been very kind to us. 

Meet Cory - he served 10 tours in Afghanistan before suffering a serious injury. Cory was brought to the dinner in Phoenix by his parents. What a sacrifice this family has made. 

We met so many heroes today and heard so many stories. I can't blog them all. I will have to save some of them for "Riding For The Wall - The Book". Hopefully it will be out this year. 

I am grateful to participate in this year's ride to the wall. I am humbled to see and hear the sacrifices made by so many so I can enjoy the wonderful blessing of living in this free country. Please share the two heroes I have posted here don't let their service be forgotten or go unnoticed. Until tomorrow! 

Check-In

Tip-of-the-day:  Forget about mascara for the next 10 days and carry a handkerchief. I was told this as I stood there crying. 

Shirley, a very kind efficient volunteer checked us in. When she was done placing our wristbands on and explaining the rules of the road she handed me a sticker and said, 

"this is why we ride" The sticker (pictured below) Is of a young man named Bowe who was captured in Afghanistan June 30, 2009. Shirley went on to tell us the terrorists bring him out and parade him around occasionally. 

My eyes welled up with tears. Imagine if this were your son. I would move heaven and earth for my child. I don't understand why something can't be done to help this young man who has been in captivity for nearly 5 years. Breaks my heart. I also don't understand why every tree in America does not have a yellow ribbon tied around it. What am I missing? 

Then I was given a plastic arm band with the name, Sgt Joseph A. Matejov, living casulaty, USAF 2-5-73 Laos. What the heck is a living casualty? Makes me sad for the loved ones that have no closure. 

Just a couple stories that we heard today. So I am leaving the mascara in the make-up bag and keeping my handkerchief close. 

Staging tomorrow at 5:45 am :( I am not a morning person, it's gonna be a challenge. 

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!

REGISTERED

We are registered for the 2014 Run for the Wall. Only 42 days before it's Kick Stands up and we head our for the 10 day ride to the Vietnam Memorial Wall along with 33,000 other bikers. If you're wondering why…

Mission Statement: To promote healing among ALL veterans and their families and friends, to call for an accounting of all Prisoners of War and those Missing in Action (POW/MIA), to honor the memory of those Killed in Action (KIA) from all wars, and to support our military personnel all over the world.

I am excited to be a part of such a great event. I will be blogging along the way in anticipation of publishing a book commemorating the 2014 Run for the Wall as well as honoring the Vietnam Veterans I meet along the way.