Welcome to
Run For The Wall XXI
Southern Route - 2009
"Service Beyond Self"
Day Eight - May 20
Chattanooga, TN, to Wytheville, VA
Exit # Distance Time ETA ETD
Chattanooga – Knoxville I-40 (369) 79 miles 1:15 9:45 10:45
Knoxville – Baileyton 36 88 miles 1:30 12:15 12:45
Exit 385 then 640 bypass
Baileyton – Bristol 5 30 miles 0:45 1:30 2:30
Bristol – Wytheville 71 1:30 4:00
Total Mileage 276 miles
A note from a veteran watching the pack this morning:
"Good Morning ;
I was so blessed and thrilled when your group went through this morning , I was the guy waving at you and filming as you went by the overpass .
I am an EX Marine 1951-1954 and I agree with you and Honor your efforts In what you are doing..I am praying for your safe Journey and safe return home . May It also be a success in your endeavor to bring our fellow servicemen and women home . If anyone would like a copy of my filming efforts Here is my address.
GOD BLESS YOU ALL.
togofish@aol.com Bro. Herb"
Photographer Ed Kain has submitted the photos, but it takes time to add captions, etc. I'll add the photos and then try to get the captions added by Saturday morning. Thanks for your patience!
Above, the FNGs who are new today...Day 8, May 20. Right, Wytheville Mayor Trent Crew addressing the riders > Below, a Native America blessing both riders and bikes.
Sit Reps for Day Eight
Day 8, Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Good morning RFTW Day 8. Up and at ‘em... the riders awakened to a beautiful Tennessee morning. We met at Thunder Creek Harley Davidson for the morning meeting and a wreath laying ceremony for some of our unsung heroes at the Confederate Cemetery adjacent to the Dealership. Unfortunately all the riders were not able to enter the cemetery due to its continued decaying condition. This is a site worthy of preservation since everyone buried inside is an American whether they fought for the North or the South. Hopefully someday through a collective effort, this sacred ground can be resorted to the dignified condition it so richly deserves.
From the Dealership, we are off to our morning fuel stop in Knoxville, TN, where we were greeted by Randy, General Manager of TA Truck Stop who ensured us a rapid fuel stop with refreshments and coffee for the riders. It is always good to see Randy and his patriotically adorned truck stop. We had trouble keeping Slammer away from the donuts that were donated by Krispy Kreme. Many riders fought over the box of low calorie ones...
After the break, it was off to Bristol, VA - not to be confused with the premier NASCAR short track in Bristol, TN - although many of our fuel stops have been NASCAR quality. From there it was off to a new sponsored stop, Black Wolf Harley Davidson in Bristol, VA where a very fine lunch was provided by the Dealership.
After lunch, the riders proceeded just over 71 miles to one of our favorite stops along the Southern Route....Wytheville, VA. For those of you that have never been here, this town not only receives us with open arms during the Run, I can promise you this, if you ever returned for a visit, you would still receive that same warm greeting. To Mayor Trent Crewe and the entire town, Thank You so much for giving us a second home and a third family. We assembled at their Memorial Park, where on display were two magnificent trucks, one a Volvo, one a Mac. One newly wrapped to honor those that served during WWII on the beaches of Normandy and the other honoring the present day warrior and the sacrifice they have made for our freedom. These trucks will be on display this weekend in the Pentagon Parking lot during Rolling Thunder XXII. After milling around admiring the trucks, and greeting the local residents, the riders heard brief welcome speeches and were entertained with live music.
From the Memorial Park, the riders disbursed to their various hotels and then re-gathered at the Moose Lodge for a much anticipated steak dinner with all the trimmings. FYI - this was the 9th hosting of RFTW Southern Route by the town of Wytheville and Mayor Trent is already laying the groundwork for the 10th Anniversary. We don't know what they can do to top what they have done over the past 9 years, that will remain to be seen, but we have confidence they will continue to wow us.
After dinner, Pied Piper conducted a formal awards presentation, followed by some informal and humorous presentations to include a bungee corded ball cap for our Assistant Route Coordinate, "Too Tall" who seems to have lot 2-3 hats per day on this run. Greg "Pied Piper" Smith has been so generous in passing out the accolades, that it is time that I give one to him in return. I had thought several days on the run about how Pied Piper got his road name, and I finally associated it with the Pied Piper of England of long ago. That Pied Piper was hired to rid the city of the rats. Not to confuse the riders with rats, there is a correlation. We didn't follow Pied Piper because he asked us to; we did not follow him because he ordered us to; we followed him because we wanted to. Pied Piper has gifted us with his leadership...and what do we say when somebody gifts us? ... THANK YOU!!!!
After dinner, I had the pleasure of interviewing one of our youngest FNG's, Jackie Jo, age 16. Jackie has been riding her own bike for 9 months now. She rides a 2005 805cc Suzuki Boulevard. She joined us in Weatherford, TX and is going all the way with us. Not only has she exhibited excellent riding skills, she is a world-ranking Champion in the National Cutting Horse Association. She is ranked 24th in the world. There are approximately 16,000 members of which 1,500 are youth members and they are located in the United States, Australia, Germany, Spain and Italy. I asked Jackie (as I am not so good a horse rider) what advice she would give me and her response was "always be alert, and always have positive control." Now does that like something that would be applicable to motorcycle riding also? Lets' all take a lesson from this world champion. I would also like to note that Jackie Jo did earn a road name this trip; her new, extended RFTW family has given her the road name ["Wonder"]. [First photo of Jackie taken on Day Five BEFORE she began riding with RFTW]
Louis Update - We would like to explain why you have not seen much information in recent days on the Louis Update. Louis has had a few challenges with this very demanding ride and had to stay over a few days in Meridian, MS to rest up for his personal push on to The Wall. Louis is quite aware of the mission and did not want to jeopardize the other riders' quest to arrive in D.C. Hopefully Louis will be up to full speed again shortly and we will see him upon our arrival in Washington.
I would like to take some time now to talk about this demanding cross-country ride we call Run for the Wall that many prepare for mentally, but sometimes don't prepare physically for. This is a 10-day run; the Southern Route is through the hot desert Southwest, unpredictable West Texas weather and the humidity of the deep South. It is imperative that you not only make sure your motorcycle is in proper working order and to prepare mentally, but also you must ensure that you are physically capable of this most demanding run. For all of you that have served in the military, you know that the mission will never be sacrificed for the needs of the individual.
We still have a record number of FNG's riding with us, and we are very proud of you, especially for what you have accomplished over the last 8 days.
With full bellies after a first-rate steak dinner, the riders retired for the evening.
Respectfully submitted by
Steve "Hawgwash" Hill
MSgt. USMC (Ret.)
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Run For The Wall wishes to express its deepest appreciation to ALL supporters, from those who provide support standing beside the road or on overpass bridges as we pass by to those who provide financial support. As always, it is impossible to know and thank all of the kind folks who help us as we cross the United States. However, here is a list of special people and organizations who helped us through Tennessee and Virginia:
Thunder Creek Harley-Davidson, Chattanooga, TN
Management and Staff, Best Western Heritage, Chattanooga, TN
United States Citizens Aiding Veterans
RFTW Tennessee State Coordinator, Clyde Luttrell
Sgt. Jesse
Tree of Life Ministries in Lynchburg (M-25)
Black Wolf Harley in Bristol, VA
City of Wytheville, VA
Veterans Committee of the United Auto Workers
Moose Lodge #394, Wytheville, Virginia
Mayor Trent Crewe
Rosa Lee Jude
Jerry Stone and GRC Productions, Inc.
And hundreds of citizens of Wytheville.
RFTW Virginia State Coordinator, Bot Attwell
Below, Silverdale Confederate Cemetery. RFTW presented a wreath, as we have several years now, but a distinct lack of care there was obvious this year. We have riders who are investigating what we can do to bring more honor and respect back to these soldiers (and to purchase a new flag).
Above, the RFTW Honor Guard paying their respects at the Unknowns' gravesite in Silverdale Cemetery. Below, a Native American blesses the graves of the Unknowns. Below, right, moving on to Knoxville's TA Travel Center.
Below, the rapid fueling continues; coffee and donuts were provided at this station by United States Citizens Aiding Veterans. Below, right, Randy, General Manager and our steadfast host at the TA Center; I have a photo of Randy greeting us in a real downpour in 2003! Clyde Luttrell, RFTW State Coordinator of Tennessee. is in the middle.
For some of our riders, this fueling stop for Krispy Kreme donuts is the highlight of the trip! It's a tradition. (Yes, Slammer...the word was out that riders had to get there and pick up their donuts BEFORE you arrived at the donut station!) For Mojo, below, right, it was the first donut eaten in 2-3 years...a remarkable event. (We think she was concerned about Slammer...) All of the donuts and coffee are provided free of charge. Thank you!!!
Above, a flagger directing riders at the Davy Crockett Truck Stop.
Below, right, Longhorn and his wife busily fueling bikes. Below, left, an unknown...Davy????
There is a new lunch stop for RFTW at Black Wolf Harley-Davidson in Bristol, VA...a very nice, brand new facility! The car below was on display at the dealership. They were very well set up for us with the meals and drinks. They had many chairs, but not quite enough...we happily adapted!!
The photo below shows how well set up the dealership was...the line moved very quickly and efficiently for both meals and drinks!
Above, left, the truck display at the park in Wytheville. Many more citizens came out to welcome us...it was really nice to see so many local veterans there! It was, again, a welcome home from our Wytheville family. Below, left, the Honor Guard presenting the Colors.
The Mack and Volvo trucks displayed by the Veterans Committee of the United Auto Workers (right) are always a highlight in Wytheville. The UAW create these works of art on their own personal time and with the own money.
Above, left, Mark Petersen, Chairman of the Veterans Committee of the local United Auto Workers. Above, right, Mayor Trent Crewe. Below, left, Mrs. Peterson, a Gold Star God Mother for Ken Gibson who was KIA in August, 2008, by an IED. She thanked us for coming and read some poetry. Below, right, is Jerry Stone of GRC Productions in Wytheville singing several patriotic songs for us. (He has generously given RFTW permission to use his "Banner Yet Wave" for a YouTube video...coming there by July 4...I will add the link here when it's posted.)
Right, Trent Crewe introduced our youngest rider, Jackie "Wonder" Frady, age 16 from Hico, Texas, who is riding her own bike (she joined in Weatherford on Day 5). Everyone reports that she handles her Suzuki Blvd. very well. She is accompanying her father, Ed Frady. Jackie is also #24 in worldwide Cutting Horse competition. (More about Jackie in the Sit Reps below.
Left, Pied Piper thanks Mayor Crewe. Below, Rosa Lee Jude received credit for organizing the Wytheville activities. Thank you BOTH!!!
Left, John "Slammer" Gebhards, Road Guard Captain, made all of Sgt. Jesse's Band of Troops "Honorary Road Guards, and gave them RG hats. Steve "Hawgwash" Hill, Sit Reps writer, presented them with photos taken in previous years. These troops are SO IMPORTANT in facilitating our safe passage through Virginia!
Right, Slammer introduced Terry and Laura Porter who were on the earliest RFTWs; Laura was the only Road Guard back then!
Below, left, Mayor Crewe introduced James "Gunny" Gregory, the Coordinator of the very first Run For The Wall, 21 years ago, who now lives in South Carolina. He left after seeing us to visit Central Route in Rainelle, WV.
Above, riders eating the sumptuous steak dinner at the Moose Lodge. Marty continued to collect money for the schools in between the two serving lines. LOTS of people were helping to serve; below are only a few...we thank you ALL so very much!
Southern Route's awards program is held at the Moose Lodge in Wytheville. Right, Pied Piper presents a plaque to John "J.R." or "Squeaky" Grub who is on our Advance Team and also from Wytheville. Below, appreciation is extended to Mayor Trent Crewe for Wytheville's hospitality. Below, right, Too Tall's Ass't. Route Coordinator's hat was replaced by these two tailgunners; the new one is pink WITH a bungee cord strap so that it wouldn't blow off!
Above, left, Commander George Farrell, a former Naval aviator and doctor who settled in Wytheville and practices there now, welcoming us aboard. Above, center, Ted "Oscar Bear" Riddell is thanked for his efficient coordination of the Advance Team. Above, right, Slammer was not present to receive his thanks as Road Guard Captain; the next morning, he received a Monkey Butt award for his absence. Below, left, Pied Piper thanked Too Tall for his assistance. Below, center, Janice Wentworth promoted the Unofficial RFTW Reunion held annually in Kerrville, TX. (Click here for information.) Below, right, Shirley "Top Sarge" Scott gave the final results of the raffle.
