Welcome to
Run For The Wall XXI
Southern Route - 2009
"Service Beyond Self"
Day Nine - May 21
Wytheville, VA, to Roanoke, VA
Exit # Distance Time ETA ETD
Wytheville – Shell Station 150 80 miles 1:30 11:30 12:00
Shell Station – Montvale (Hwy 460) 15 miles :20 12:20 2:30
Montvale - Roanoke 141 30 miles :35 3:10
Total Mileage 125 miles
6/3/09 - Sadly, this brief article appeared in our newspaper this morning. IF YOU HAVE IDEAS to provide financing for the National D-Day Memorial, please contact the site: http://www.dday.org/ "On the eve of the 65th anniversary of D-Day, the foundation that runs the National D-Day Memorial is on the brink of financial ruin. The memorial's president believes the only hope for long-term survival for the memorial, which is lacking donations and struggling to draw visitors, is to be taken over by the National Park Service or by a college or university. So far, he's found no takers. The Bedford memorial opened eight years ago..." Some photos from this year's visit by RFTW-SR are below.
Photographer Ed Kain submitted the photos Friday night, but it takes time to add captions, etc. I'll add the photos and then try to get the captions added by Saturday noon. Thanks for your patience!
Day 9, Thursday, May 21, 2009
Good morning Run for the Wall, it is now Day 9... After a good night's rest the riders reassembled at the Memorial Park in Wytheville, VA and made a brief walk to Spiller Elementary School where they were served breakfast.
Lining the walls while walking to the cafeteria for breakfast, I observed many pictures drawn by the students of Spiller (including several flags where the red stripes were comprised of the children's hand-prints) and in the cafeteria there was a slide show running depicting all the years RFTW visited Wytheville and there were some writings by the students about what Run for the Wall meant to them. I am quoting one thought that really caught my eye and heart, "Run for the Wall means that it is great for my heart and great for my mom's heart. I love bikers. The bikers saved our Country." by Aliyah C., Spiller Elementary School, Wytheville, VA 2009. The children also created an afghan depicting a motorcyclist with a POW/MIA flag riding through the hills. This was a wonderful tribute to the Veteran and the POW/MIA situation.
Returning to the park, the riders had their morning meeting and housekeeping and then eagerly awaited the arrival of the children. From over the hilltop at approximately 8:30 am the children started arriving. The riders were so eager to see the children that they could not wait at the bottom of the Memorial Park, but had to start walking up towards the students and they met them halfway to the Memorial Park. Both the riders and students were overjoyed at seeing each other again. Small gifts were handed out by the riders to the children.
The riders spent time mingling with these special kids that will be our legacy. The students lead our opening ceremonies with the Pledge of Allegiance and the National Anthem. Then the students sang prepared songs just for the Veterans. We would like to thank the teachers and administration of Spiller Elementary for all you have done to bring awareness to our cause. We do not usually give our educators the credit they so richly deserve, so let us say to you THANK YOU! It would be nice if we could clone each and every one of you and place you all over the country to show America how proud we are of you and what you do to promote patriotism.
We are pleased to announce that two teachers joined us on a brief ride through town as participants in Run for the Wall. Welcome to Erin Bain, Wytheville Teacher of the Year, and Francis Watson, Teacher of the Years. Side note - Francis made me say "Teacher of the Years" because of her many years as an educator. I know how old she really is, but that is between Francis and me.
After our ceremonies, with sad good-byes the riders reluctantly boarded their bikes for the all-too soon departure from Wytheville. Prior to leaving, "Top Sarge" approached me and asked me to speak to "Montana", one of our riders. Speaking with him, he told me that this morning was the first time he's heard the words "Welcome Home" and they were from "Top Sarge". I am sure he will receive many more in the days ahead.
Departing Wytheville, lead by Sgt Jesse (Virginia State Motor Officer), and his fellow officers, we were escorted to a quick fuel-and-go stop and then we quickly went on to Montvale Elementary School where we were greeted by the "Little Patriots". After passing out some more trinkets to the children, each rider walked through the lunch room, picked up their lunch and proceeded to their classroom assignment, where they had lunch with the students. In the classrooms, we were able to chat casually with the children, ask them questions, but more importantly, have them ask us questions. My biggest question was how I would fit on a chair designed for a Kindergartner... Side note - I am happy to report this year I was not sent to the Principals' office, nor did I receive a "Time-Out".
After lunch, we all gathered in the Gymnasium, to be entertained by the entire student body who presented not only the National Flag and POW/MIA Flag, but all the service flags as they sung our songs. In addition, they entertained us with some of the "oldies" to include their costumes depicting the songs they sung. The class groups each sang several songs for the Veterans. The last song included all the children of Montvale. We were then shown a slide show comprised of pictures from the last visits we made to Montvale put to the music of Toby Keith. Many thanks to the teachers, faculty and administrators, and especially Miss Epps, the music teacher, for all the efforts you put into the program. Reluctantly again we had to leave the "Little Patriots" of Montvale and head to the D-Day Memorial.
The D-Day Memorial is a spectacular tribute to the warriors who fought on the beaches of Normandy during WWII. It is a privately funded Memorial, and ranks up there with any Memorial you could see in the Nation's Capitol. We would like all the riders to remember we are losing thousands of WWII veterans each and every week, so don't let another day pass without thanking the "Greatest Generation" that wore the uniform for their service and sacrifice.
Departing the Memorial, the riders proceeded to the Salem VAMC for visitation with the residents and dinner. Afterwards, the riders disbursed to their hotels in preparation for an early-bird call and breakfast before starting the final day of RFTW XXI.
We are pleased to announce that we have now over 800 participants prior to arriving in Washington, D.C. We are eagerly looking forward to Day 10...
Respectfully submitted by
Steve "Hawgwash" Hill
MSgt. USMC (Ret.)
- - - - - - - - - -
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 Virginia:
Sgt. Jesse and his Troops
Mayor Trent Crewe, Wytheville, VA
Rosa Lee Jude
Students of Spiller Elementary, Wytheville, VA
Hundreds of citizens of Wytheville
Students of Montvale Elementary School, Montvale, VA
Virginia Veterans Care Center, Salem, VA
Tree of Life Ministries in Lynchburg (M-25)
RFTW Virginia State Coordinator, Bot Attwell
We started the day with breakfast at Spiller Elementary. The ladies below came in early to prepare breakfast for us. Thank you very much!!!
Many Spiller Elementary parents came to the Thursday morning celebration at Withers Park. Additionally, students in grades 3-5 from Speedwell Elementary School were bussed in to attend on Thursday morning.
Above, morning FNGs' meeting in the Withers Park at Wytheville. This may be the smallest number in that meeting so far! Over half of our riders seem to be FNGs. We welcome them with open arms because this ride is for them in their first endeavor on our mission. Below, left, Road Guard Chris "Hot Lips" Hall was gifted with a new pillow. He earned his road name in '06 when he opted not to have a lip injury stitched (because his mustache would have been removed). Below, right, Too Tall wearing his new, pink cap.
Above, Mojo gave us an update on folks who had experienced difficulties going through Texas. Above, we still had coffee and donuts available under the tent in Withers Park...service supreme, Ladies! Thank you! Ladies, left to right, are Janette Wood in the red sweater, Rosa Lee Jude in the blue shirt, Gwynn Duncan in the black shirt, and Janie Repass in the denim; they are all Wytheville town employees, and this service is "above and beyond" their call of duty!
Below, left, the Spiller Elementary students arrive in the park. Below, right, the RFTW Honor Guard presents the wreath.
Above, left, presenting the wreath (once again created by Spiller Elementary students). Above, right, please notice the quilt/afghan above the students, with Wytheville's hot air balloon, a motorcycle, and the mountains. Every student signed his/her name in the mountains. Above and below, the students' presentations for our riders. Below, right, is the Choir Director.
Right is Spiller Elementary Music Teacher, Mrs. Leslie Mabe. Below is the Spiller Elementary Principal, Kim Ingo, with the two teachers (Erin Bain, left, and Francis Watson, right) who will be riding out with the RFTW for a short distance. Mrs. Watson is retiring this year. She borrowed a helmet and leather jacket before RFTW arrived, so she was ready! When she mounted up, she turned to Principal Ingo and said, "Mrs. Ingo, get me a substitute. I'm going all the way to DC and won't be back!" The kids loved it, as did our riders.
Above, right, Principal Kim Ingo reviewed (with Cowboy) for the riders how the school used last year's donations from RFTW. Above, left, Pied Piper made various presentations of appreciation and this year's monetary donation, part of which was specified for library and research materials.
The crowds of children are always so enthusiastic! Right, "Don't take pictures of the photographer, as he'll take them back." Below, left, Dr. Brigit Cantrell with her mother, both of whom have ridden across the country with us. "Mom" is now known as "Cougar," as she rode into town in an officer's vehicle.
No words could express the appreciation felt by riders in Run For The Wall for the Wytheville hospitality. Above, the Spiller Elementary students gather in the stands to wave (and cheer loudly) goodbye. Below, left, are the Pre-K creations. As our SSR Photographer, Ed Kain, said, "It blows the tear ducts out."
In Wytheville, we stage in the street with lots of supporters alongside. Above, right, and below, left, the exit and approach to Montvale Elementary. Right, Joe "Firefly" Cappel, Road Guard. Below, the Advance Team rides in.
Again, to say that we receive a wonderfully warm welcome to Montvale Elementary is a tremendous understatement. Above, Cowboy rides in. Right, Too Tall and Too Small on the left and Pied Piper on the right riding in. Right, Okie Dan and Valetta, our medics riding in.
Montvale has both local and RFTW vets listed on hallway banners. The Montvale Little Patriots are BIG patriots as far as we're concerned. Many returning RFTW vets have signed every year.
Lunch with the students is a tradition which began in 2004 at Montvale Elementary. Below, right, Gene Adee with Ms. Meyers.
Left, Adjutant General Steven Huxtable, of the Virginia National Guard. He arrived and departed from Montvale in a Huey chopper! (When the Huey departed, it made several low flying passes over us as the crew and General Huxtable waved down at us, saluted, and flew over the hill and out of view. It was very impressive!)
General Huxtable went into the classrooms with the kids and talked with them. Above, the riders gather after lunch for the program. Below, left, the Army Junior ROTC Honor Guard presented the Colors.
As always, the Montvale Elementary program was superb and brought tears to many of the veterans' eyes. This day and the programs by the students are, for many veteran FNG riders, the first time appreciation for their service to our country has been so beautifully demonstrated.
Above, left, Elvis was with us for "Jail House Rock!" Above, right, bird masks decorated faces for "Rockin' Robin." What a tremendous effort! Left, General Huxtable addressed the whole assembly and thanked RFTW riders for being there. Thanks to ALL of the Montvale Little Patriots and the staff!!!
Below, the official Road Guard photo...everyone was actually there!
We stopped at the D-Day Memorial in Bedford, Virginia, again this year. Riders are always so amazed that this privately-funded memorial is so vast and informative. The sculptures are thought-provoking, to say the least.
The Honor Guard presented a wreath at the D-Day Memorial, then all of the riders road to the Virginia Veterans Care Center in Salem, VA, to visit and for dinner. Thank you all!!
Below, a real artist among the residents! His drawings were wonderful!
The staff who served us dinner were very pleasant...thanks to all of the VVCC staff and residents!!!
