Welcome to
Run For The Wall XXI
Southern Route - 2009
"Service Beyond Self"
Day Eleven - May 23
wreath presentation at the
Tomb of the Unknowns
and dinner at The Church
Photos from the Tomb of the Unknowns will be added as received. Southern Route Photographer Ed Kain submitted the following photos from dinner and ceremonies at The Church:
There were many people at The Church to help make this dinner a huge success...thank you ALL!!
Above, right, John King and Mark Rittermeyer running the awards ceremony outside. Below, left, Mike Kerr describing T.A.P.S. for the families of KIAs. Below, right, is Deborah May and her children. Her husband, Donald May, was KIA in 2003, and she has received support from the program.
Below, left, Wytheville Mayor Trent Crewe introduced Jerry Stone of GRC Productions (contact phone number is 276-620-2368). Jerry traveled here to sing for this occasion.
Below, left, is Ray Santana, the man who has so graciously printed many materials for Run For The Wall for at least two years. Below, right, is Russ Cockrum, Central Route Coordinator for 2009, receiving his pin and award for his work.
Below, left, is Pastor Lynn from the Arlington Church. Below, right, are John King, Judy Cockrum, and Russ Cockrum.
Above, John King presented a belt buckle to Mark Rittermeyer for his Run For The Wall work. Right, Don Morris with his belt buckle presented for his Run For The Wall work (I don't know how RFTW will manage without Don's merchandising skills). Below, left, John presented Della Morris with a jewelry set for her work as Missing Man Coordinator for many years.
Below, right, is Big Man visiting with David Mayer, son of Sea Wolf Glen Mayer, back at the hotel. We met David last year here...what an honor! It's good to see these two inspiring men meet.
Sit Reps for Day 11 - May 23, 2009
with closing commentary
Day 11, Saturday, May 23, 2009
Riders were busy during Day 11, the first “unofficial” day of RFTW XXI. The FNG’s were lead to Arlington National Cemetery; other groups were led to the Wall. Some went out on their own to visit various sites around the Nation’s Capital, and some just slept in waiting for the final photo at the Lincoln Memorial.
At 1 pm, the Official Run for the Wall picture was taken on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial to the rousing cheer of the once again combined Central and Southern Routes. After the photo, both routes were led together to the Vietnam War Memorial (The Wall) by “Pied Piper” and “Sheep Dog” (our two Route Coordinators) for the presentation of the Mission Completed Plaque and Wreath Laying at the apex of The Wall.
In addition, photographs and biographies of 40 of our Missing in Action (MIA) and Killed in Action (KIA) were left at the apex of the Vietnam War Memorial. I would like everyone to know that although we had superb support all across the Nation, there are still “some” individuals that have issues with what we do. It is our obligation to spend the remaining 355 days until RFTW XXII to show and educate these individuals that we will not go away until our mission is truly completed. Hopefully they will acknowledge that the 58,000 plus names on the Wall have protected their freedoms also.
After all of the events of the day, the riders met at Arlington Assembly of God Church for the final Awards Dinner with the combined Routes. We would like to thank the Church, not only for dinner, but for the various meals that were served from Friday through Sunday and their hospitality for providing camping facilities to the riders at no cost. God Bless all of you in your Congregation.
We are pleased to announce that at the last count there were over 845 registered participants in RFTW Southern Route.
Final report on our FNG, Louis – we are pleased to announce that he did make it all the way. We hope that he will find peace with whatever reason he participated in RFTW XXI.
Special Acknowledgments –
From California to Washington, D.C. we met thousands of people who made this run possible. From local and State Government officials, to the many civic organizations, veteran’s organizations, motorcycle clubs (M/C’s) and motorcycle riding organizations, we thank you for the overwhelming support you gave Run for the Wall XXI.
To the law enforcement agencies that provided us safe passage through the various states, we don’t know how to thank you for the unprecedented support you gave us. Of particular note, law enforcement agencies from the State of Mississippi and the Commonwealth of Virginia went above and beyond the call of duty. Additionally we would like to thank the Virginia Highway Patrol and the Department of Transportation for the highway signage you displayed as we traveled through your state. As many of you may know, the month of May is Motorcycle Awareness Month and your signs posted along the Interstate warning other drivers to watch for large motorcycle convoys added another touch of security for our riders.
For the Active Duty Military and Guard Units across our Route, we thank you for your continued service and for protecting our rights to conduct Run for the Wall XXI. Be safe in the days ahead, and remember we are proud of each and every one of you.
To the teachers and administrators of Colorado City Middle School, Spiller Elementary School, the Speedwell Elementary School 3 & 4th Graders (also in Wytheville) and Montvale Elementary School, we cannot thank you enough for the patriotism and support you have instilled in your students. Thank you for going the extra mile in recognizing the Veterans of Run for the Wall XXI.
For the students of Colorado City Middle School, Spiller Elementary School, the Speedwell Elementary School 3 & 4th Graders and Montvale Elementary School, you are by far the most special of all the people we saw along RFTW XXI Southern Route. After we are gone, you are the ones who have the most important mission of all, and that is to carry on the legacy of Run for the Wall. Thank you all for the patriotic programs, the hand crafted mementoes, and all the hugs. We appreciate all the hard work that went into your individual projects, continue to do well in school, listen to your parents and teachers, and remember you can be anything you want to be.
In Memoriam -
What would possess a young man just after celebrating his 17th birthday, from doing an act of valor that would propel him into history and make him a living legend in the United States Marine Corps? On February 20th, 1945, during one of the fiercest battles in the Marine Corps, on the island of Iwo Jima, a young PFC chose to save his comrades with no regard for his personal safety. On D+1, as his fire team fought in hand to hand combat in the volcanic trenches, two hand grenades landed at this young Marine’s feet. The only reason he noticed them was because his rifle had jammed and he was looking down to clear it. He shouted a quick warning, and without hesitation dove onto one grenade and pulled the second one beneath his body. He absorbed the full blast of one grenade, and thankfully the second one failed to detonate. By this act of valor, this young Marine saved the lives of his fire team. Later that year, after many surgeries and still recovering from his wounds, this young Marine traveled to the White House where President Harry S. Truman presented him with the Congressional Medal of Honor. On that day, PFC Jack H. Lucas became the youngest Marine in history and the youngest American in the 20th Century to be presented with the Medal of Honor. From that day forward, until he took his final breath on June 5th, 2008, Jack wore his medal with pride and the knowledge that he was wearing it for the many unsung heroes that never returned from battle. We would like to dedicate the Run for the Wall XXI Southern Route Sit-Reps to the memory of PFC Jack Lucas, USMC.
As a Run for the Wall tribute to Jack, Ruby Lucas-Alexander presented Jack’s riding vest back to the riders whom he loved so much. Through donations from students in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, and the Bass Pro Shops Jack’s vest will be on permanent display at Harley Davidson of Jackson for all to see.
“Don’t be sad that Jack Lucas died, but rather be happy that he lived.” Hawgwash
Closing Comments -
It has been my pleasure to report the daily happenings of RFTW Southern Route over the past 10+ days. For the FNG’s, you have now transitioned into Veterans of Run for the Wall. For the veteran rider, you can be proud of one more mission under your belt.
To our Road Guard Captain, “Slammer”, we send you many thanks for the efforts of you and your team for getting us safely across the country. Does this mean you will be our Road Guard Captain next year? ;-).
To “Pied Piper”, we now know how you got your road name. We imagine it came from the olden days of England when that Pied Piper was summoned to rid London of its rat population. Not to misconstrue our riders with rats (hmmm…) we rode behind you not because you asked us to, not because you ordered us to, BECAUSE WE WANTED TO.
To everyone, WELCOME HOME.
Respectfully submitted by
Steve “Hawgwash” Hill
MSgt. USMC (Ret.)
P.S. - Mayor Trent, one of our riders on RFTW Southern Route, of Wytheville, VA has graciously offered his town as a location for an after the run “wind-down” next year. This is a great location to unwind, to see some beautiful riding spots in this country (for those who have not ridden enough), and to get reacquainted with all those that made Days 8 and 9 so special for us. Stay tuned in the months ahead for further information.
5/28/09 - The following photos were submitted by Lynne Fouraker from her cell phone:
It's always a thrill to ride behind the flag bikes which run with Central Route across the United States. Below, the "bikers' hair club" with Edwin Craft and an unknown participant. Ela King was enjoying the moment!
These photos were taken before, during, and after the Run For The Wall wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery on Saturday, May 23. Above, left, is the meeting with the Honor Guard which always takes places before the ceremony.
If anyone has the name and address/phone number of the business to contact for a copy of the group photo, please let us know. I've had two inquiries already!
These were taken by Kay or Ray McDowell or their family members:
Bruce "Duck Tape" Officer wrote the following about the two photos below: "What we know is that a rider in the 6th platoon, road name "Moose," was taking his buddy's helmet to the Wall. He loaned it to a couple on a trike who evidently thought it was a permanent gift. Pied Piper's Day 10 plea for help jogged the memory of an FNG couple who recognized the folks involved. They, in turn, got the helmet from the couple and gave it to someone who gave it to someone who gave it to me...near as I can figure.
"Diane and I took it to the Wall apex along with some flags we wanted to place there."
Thanks, Duck Tape! Mission accomplished!
