The day began with church in the Wal-Mart Parking lot. Not something I am used to but it works.
Had our morning meeting where Pops, the Southern Route Coordinator introduced Shane & Katelyn Esser. They were married May 17, 2013 the day before Shane shipped out to the sandbox. They were not at the morning meeting, arrived late after their anniversary celebration. Shane is taking Katelyn to the wall so she can look up her grandfather who died in Vietnam 1969. I am sure Shane has his personal reasons for Riding to the Wall. Aren't they adorable!
Our first stop after the gas stop (which was paid for by a Patriotic American) was in Terrell Texas. Wow!!!! The community went all out! They made homemade PBJs, chicken salad sandwiches, cookies. They were handing out poppies, which I am always thrilled to see. One very touching item was the prayers they gave us. Someone took a lot of time to cut out the fabric squares, to surge the edges and then to write a prayer on every single one. Wow, is that not the most toughing thing?
Longview gave the Run for the Wall a real Patriotic welcome.
Longview also set out a delicious spread of homemade cookies, and sandwiches. Each of us was given a handwritten thank you note from the local junior high school students. We were also given a gift bag with a dog tag, a pony bead lanyard of the American Flag and a yellow pony bead lanyard. I posted a video of the luncheon on Facebook Page - Riding for the Wall - it shows better than anything I can write the warm reception we were given. Check it out.
Not long after leaving Longview, we crossed the border into Louisiana. Once we crossed the state line we were joined by the Louisiana State Police. The escorted us all the way to Monroe. What a fine job they did. It is not easy to get 300 motorcycles down the road. They were magnificent
I just love our uniformed escorts!!!!
This morning a Vietnam Veteran's wife and I were talking, she told me, "my husband feels like The Run to the Wall" is the homecoming he never got.
After her comment, it all clicked for me. We drive from town to town where the riders are welcomed home with great fanfare. The out pouring of genuine love, admiration, appreciation and respect is over whelming.
Later in the day I received a message from a young Afghanistan veteran. He said, "If every veteran could see your blog, I know there would not be a shred of doubt among us that our sacrifices were worth it. There would be no veteran suicides due to PTSD because the overwhelming patriotism would drive out all the demons. I wish I could personally thank and hug every rider and every person in every town that has supported you guys"
That pretty much sums up the "Reason we Ride"
Once we crossed into Louisiana every bridge held grateful Americans waving flags, waving or saluting. I took 164 pictures today because I just had to photograph every single bridge!
Here are a few. I hope this is shared with every Veteran so they too can feel the love and appreciation of a grateful nation.
Oh, I almost forgot, Tip-of-the-day: Watch for gators on the road. I morning I am looking all over for alligators. Hahaha, a gator is the big hung of tire when a semi has a blow out.
Until tomorrow.
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