Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Run for the Wall 2013 (Day 1)

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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