Welcome to
Run For The Wall XXI
Southern Route - 2009
"Service Beyond Self"
Day Four - May 16
Odessa, TX to Weatherford, TX
Click to watch a MP4 video or a Windows Media video (3:06 min.) of the Southern Route from the Brock exit overpass as they rode into Weatherford around 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 16. Link to this video on YouTube. By this time in the afternoon, the riders had been in rain most of the day and were extremely tired. Photos of the signs/supporters are at the bottom of this page.
We have noted tremendous support from the Patriot Guard riders as RFTW rides across the states. You must know how wonderful it is to see all those flags when the riders are so hot and tired! Thank you, thank you!!!
Exit # Distance Time ETA ETD
Odessa – Big Spring 174 56 miles 1:00 10:00 11:00
Big Spring – Co. City 216 42 miles :50 11:50 1:30
Colorado City – Baird 307 91 miles 1:30 3:00 3:40
Baird – Weatherford 409 102 miles 1:50 5:30
Total Mileage 291 miles
The following photos were submitted by SR Photographer, Ed Kain:
The American Legion of Odessa fed us breakfast this morning...WOW!
Below, left, John "Slammer" Gebhards, Captain of the Road Guards, gives them their morning briefing. Below, right, are most of the Road Guards for this year's Southern Route.
Above, left, the morning riders' meeting. Above, right, Greg "Pied Piper" Smith presents the RFTW plaque to Kay and Ray McDowell for their contributions to ride this year. Ray is also the Assistant Route Coordinator this year. Below, left, Pied Piper addresses the FNGS which are joining us this morning. Below, right, bikes actually in a straight line...Photographer Ed Kain thought that was remarkable.
This is the Permian Basin Memorial, a favorite stop of all riders, but especially those involved with the Hueys in any way. Right, Master Chief in front of the Huey at the memorial. Below, left...it's GREAT to see Edwin and Lynne back with us after last year's accident! Jim Augeri sent this link to a video of riders coming into the Permian Basin. He wrote that no one else but me had reported any difficulties with it. As always, thanks to Jim for his photography efforts for RFTW!
Native Americans have joined us for several years to bless both riders and bikes here.
Right, Wild Bill addressed the riders. He was very close to Hayden "Pappy" Jones who was the originator of the ideas for this memorial.
Below is Shilo Harris, who was on duty in Iraq when his Humvee was struck by an IED. He and his driver survived; the other three were killed. After multiple surgeries, he is now helping other vets...and he helped us, too! You may listen to Shilo's speech on Greg "Pied Piper" Smith's blog for May 16.
One can only imagine that the Honor Guard presentation and salute meant even more to our riders after Shiloh's talk. What an inspiration! God bless you and your work, Shiloh!
Not many dry eyes around amongst these listeners.
Road Guards, especially, need the blessings offered.
Again this year, our Road Guards are wearing those wonderful flourescent gloves.
Right, rain was with us by Big Spring. These two VIPs joined us in the rain and were there for the presentation of the wreath below.
Below, riders arrive in Colorado City, Texas, where the whole town seems to turn out on Saturday noon to greet us and celebrate their own veterans. The Colorado City Middle School students have interviewed veterans and written down their stories for MANY years. They even created a veterans' memorial located outside the city hospital.
The students have become active with current military personnel, too. They have sent care packages to the troops, and were sent this Iraqi prayer rug.
The quilt above was donated as an RFTW raffle item.
Students made several presentations, and their jazz band was very impressive! At the left in the background is a photo of Shiloh Harris's Humvee after it was hit by the IED.
Below, left, Pied Piper presents an RFTW plaque to show its appreciation to Ms. Robyn Hammond and Colorado City Middle School.
Below, riders at the American Legion Post 163 in Weatherford for dinner...dry at last!
Right, friends Larry "Stepper" Rodgers and Abe "NuGuy" Duran reunite in Weatherford. Below, Pat Rodgers sent a photo entitled "RFTW Women." Pat and her husband, Larry, have helped RFTW enormously by contacting and spreading the word about routes, dates, etc. to America's truckers.
Sit Reps for Day 4
Day 4, Saturday, May 16, 2009
Up and at ‘em to enjoy a beautiful West Texas sunrise. After breakfast at the American Legion Post 430 it is off to the Permian basin Vietnam Veteran's Memorial for our morning ceremonies. We were escorted by the Odessa Police Department. At the Memorial our keynote speaker was SSG Shilo Harris of Floresville, TX a member of 1-89 CAV, 10th MTN DIV, Fort Drum, New York. Shilo was critically wounded in Iraq when his 5 man team was hit by an IED, completely destroying their vehicle. Shilo and his driver were the only two who survived the explosion and the remaining 3 members of his team perished. Shilo is still recovering from burns that covered over 35% of his body. There is no way to sugar-coat this other than to say his wounds were devastating. Shilo maintains a super attitude and love for his country and he expressed his appreciation to the Vietnam Veteran whose legacy he is carrying on. Shilo and his wife are expecting their second child in September. His wife is also very active in the Wounded Warrior Project as is Shilo who is more concerned for the health and welfare of his troops than he is for his own devastating injuries. He epitomizes what we call a true leader in the armed forces.
Shilo get well soon and wishing you the best in the days ahead.
From Odessa it was off to Big Springs TX to visit another Vietnam Memorial and Wreath Laying Ceremony. It takes a special group of people to attend a Wreath Laying Ceremony in the rain. It was pointed out to us by Pied Piper that many would attend and/or participate in a Wreath Laying Ceremony if the weather was good, but only the truly dedicated would continue in the driving rain to conduct the ceremony at the Vietnam Memorial. Thank you to everyone that attended this event, your dedication is evident and appreciated.
Through the driving rain we proceeded to Colorado City for our lunch break.
We all arrived at the Railhead building, downtown, and were greeted by the students of Colorado Middle School who also served us lunch (Fajitas...yum..) and gave a wonderful presentation to Run for the Wall. The school Jazz band entertained us with fantastic musical selections throughout lunch. Over the years we have watched the students honor all the veterans that live in their wonderful community. Row after row after row of biographies on the local veterans were on display for Run for the Wall. You could literally spend hours reading each of the stories. Many thanks go to all the students who spent countless hours preparing to honor the riders as they came to town. After lunch we again started riding in the rain toward the afternoon fuel stop in Baird, TX. Soaked to the gills, the riders had a brief rest and then mounted up for the final leg of the day into Weatherford, TX.
Just as we arrived in Weatherford, the rain finally stopped (was someone smiling down on us?). We were able to enjoy the dinner served at the American Legion Post 163 without getting any soggier. It looks like the Post is getting strong support from their community since they now have a brand-new paved parking lot and plenty of room for all of the riders to park. The food was great but seeing some of our old friends was better. After dinner at the Legion Post it was off to our hotels to dry off and prepare for Day 5.
FNG Update - I spent time this morning chatting with Sgt Rich Martin USMC from San Jose California. Rich served 4 years in the Marine Corps to include nearly 2 years in Vietnam as an F4 Phantom mechanic (VMFA 314 Black Knights). Rich had always wanted to participate in Run for the Wall, but was also very able to find good reasons for not attending. At the insistence of Sgt Maj Doug Lyvere (Road Guard), Rich finally decided to join RFTW for the first time this year. So far his favorite part of the trip was the memorial service at the Las Cruces Veterans Park.
Rich, welcome to the Run for the Wall Family.
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 West and Central Texas:
The American Legion of Odessa, Texas
Community Citizens of Colorado City, Texas
RFTW State Coordinator of West Texas - Diann McKee
American Legion Post 163
RFTW State Coordinator for East Texas - Ben and Cynthia Gurganus
Bill Powell, a Vietnam veteran and VVA member from the Bryan/College Station chapter which contributed to the free fuel at Terrell on 5/17, returned for the fourth year to greet the riders at the Brock exit overpass on I-20 Saturday afternoon. Here are his photos:
There were 10 supporters in all on the overpass. Four were either from Brazos de Dios, the HOG group based at Independence Harley-Davidson in College Station, TX, or The Woodlands. Also, members of the VVA chapter in Bryan/College Station, Bill Powell, Roger Sheridan, and Frank Perry were there with their wives. Frank "Tadpole" Perry was a long-time rider with RFTW "retired" by back problems. Photos below of some of the group making preparations are below. We'll be back to support RFTW next year...it's the least we can do!
