Hello
my family and friends,
I had to keep a record
of each day or I will forget what happens each day and so I thought I would do
this as a journal entry and send it out to you. This morning we met as both
groups -the Central and Southern routes for the color guard, pledge and prayer
and safety meeting and then the boss man turned the microphone over to a young
man who had a little ceremony he wanted to do. He is an American Indian
and is from New Mexico and his friend was one of the big road guards for this
trip but his daughter was killed in Afghanistan 3 days ago and so he couldn't
do the run so this young man said in tribute to his daughter he wanted to cut
off his pony tail. It was long too. So one of his buddies came up
to the stand with a big dull knife and cut off his ponytail.
We were just finishing
that and the Director said he had a surprise and to look up and in no time 5
world war 2 planes flew overhead in missing man formation it was great.
Fueling the bikes was
the next big surprise for me. They fueled 700 bikes in 11 minutes.
It was amazing.
They are so organized.
We are in platoons 1-15 we are in #9 Platoon leader and an
assistant and a tail gunner. They have to have 5 years going on the run
and then training for a year and so forth, they are like gods. But really
nice. Dad and I are called FNG-try and figure what that stands for....It’s
an old military term for the new guy.... and have to wear a badge and at the
end of the ride we can turn it upside down and we are then part of the family.
If you wear the badge all kind of people come up and hug you, of course
Dad is not so good at that and runs the other way or says my wife will take the
hug.
Lunch was provided in
Blythe with a special program with the mayor and other guys. Dinner was
by Golden Coral and a nice spread too. Everyone is asleep by 9:00.
HAHAHAHHA Pepsi supplied all the water and ice and naked juice and Gatorade
for the entire trip to DC. We get cold water at every stop and can ice up
the neck things too.
This is called a
mission and we are reminded all the time no partying. No alcohol during the
day.
The last big surprise
that I thought was so cool was we were in the HOA lane just as we arrived to
Phoenix and the Highway Patrol buzzed in and shut down the whole 10 so we could
maneuver from that lane to the exit lane 4 lines over and it took 10 miles to
do it. We were the only ones on the freeway and it felt weird. We
are 4 miles long doubled up. Platoons #2 and 3 ride side by side and the
rest of us are staggered.
It is hot and yet
everyone who lives in Blythe was on the street waving to us and almost every
overpass on the freeway has had tons of people waving with flags and signs.
We pulled in to this hotel complex and there was 51 flags and someone at
attention and saluting while every bike passed them. Just stood there
straight as could be. Very touching. I will probably be crying
every day. The Director said "this will change your life"
It is also meant to help heal those who have been carrying around garbage
for years from Viet Nam.
Well thats about it.
We love you all and are so grateful for this experience.
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