Welcome to
Run For The Wall XXI
Southern Route - 2009
"Service Beyond Self"
Pre-Run, May 11 - 12
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
These photos were all taken by Ed Kain or someone helping out. Above is group came over from Phoenix on May 11, taking their time on the way. An official route photographer, Ed Kain, is on the right. Below are photos from the registration table, focusing on Southern Route folks.
RFTW had online pre-registration this year, and it took awhile to get the kinks worked out. Those who had NOT pre-registered moved through lines more quickly on the first day. Above are SR's Asst. Route Coordinator, Ray "Too Tall" McDowell, and Registrar, Shirley Scott.
Below, Carol Olmstead shows this year's t-shirt to Platoon Leader Daryl Neil. Carol has run the merchandise trailer for SR for many years.
Ela "Grasshopper" King, left, works the credit card machine. Above, Lil' Bit is working with Carol in the merchandise trailer.
Below, left, Roger Dodger is back at work. Right, tired girls...
Below are Steve "Hawgwash" Hill, left, and Holly Thomas, right, surrounded FNG Louis Fathree of Fort Stockton, TX. Louis will be interviewed by Hawgwash each day for his thoughts, and many will be included in the daily Sit Reps. We are thankful that Hawgwash and Holly continue to help by writing the Sit Reps which are so very important to our folks at home and in the military service as they watch us ride for them.
Tuesday, May 12 - These photos were all submitted by Ed Kain:
The annual trip to Riverside National Cemetery and the Medal of Honor Memorial is always a highlight for both FNG and returning RFTW riders. Above, left, Medal of Honor Recipient, Colonel Millet, greeting riders. Above, right, Meda lof Honor Recipient, Richard Pittman, greeting riders. Below, left, Medal of Honor Recipient, John Baca, greeting riders. Below, right, MOH Richard Pittman and RFTW-SR Photographer Ed Kain.
Above, left, three Medal of Honor Recipients, John Baca, Colonel Millet, and Richard Pittman. Below, left, is the sculpture at the memorial which Lee Millet created. Below, right, is the blessing of the bikes out at the park.
Food is always welcome! Dinner was served at the town park. Thank you, all!!!
Left, CA State Coordinator, Jim Frost, speaks at the dinner. Above, right, RFTW President, Mark Rittermeyer.
Below is Mark Borsuk, singer/song writer, singing "Run For The Wall." Below, right, is Medal of Honor Recipient John Baca.
Left, Medal of Honor Recipient Richard Pittman, accepting recognition from Run For The Wall. Lower left, Dan Lopresto from Raytheon. Lower, middle, Catherine Blades, VP Raytheon SAS Communications. [Raytheon sponsored the dinner.] Lower, right, a bit of humor with a "formalized t-shirt."
It was a fine honor to have Medal of Honor Recipient John Baca register for Run For The Wall.
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 in California:
Catherine Blades, VP Raytheon SAS Communications
Sizzler USA
Shamrock Foods
US Foods
Riverside County Sheriff's Department River Valley Station
California Highway Patrol, Blythe Station
Palo Verde Valley Disposal
Desert Air Ambulance
Colorado Rider Country Fair
RFTW California State Coordinator, Jim Frost
The three ladies on the left, below, represented unresolved Missing In Action (MIA) soldiers: Judie Mills Taber (brother is MIA), Tami Taber Keys (niece of MIA), Karoni Forrester (daughter of MIA). Below, right, June Wade, singer of "Proud To Be An American."
The following eight photos were submitted by Gary Black, Photographer for the Central Route:
Above, left, "In Memory Of;" Above, right, "Tuesday at Rancho Cucamonga.
Below, left, "Little Big Mike and his daughter;" Below, right, "Dinner Crowd."
Above, dinner applause; Above, right, President Mark Rittermeyer;
Below, left, Jim "Mayor" Frost; Below, right, Medal of Honor recipient, Richard Pittman.
5/31 - These photos of the Road Guard Training ("Southern Charm School") were submitted by Polley "Biker Girl" Berry, SR's only female Road Guard. This is a rigorous course of training, refined over the last few years, and it prepares the RGs very well.
Additional photos appear at the bottom of the page. New photos of the Road Guard Training submitted by Polley Berry appear below; scroll down, or click here (they are the last to load on this page; please be patient.)
