Welcome to
Run For The Wall XXI
Southern Route - 2009
"Service Beyond Self"
Day Ten - May 22
Roanoke, VA, to Arlington, VA
Exit # Distance Time ETA ETD
Roanoke – Exit # 205 205 67 miles 1:10 8:40 9:50
Exit # 291-Toms Brook 291 86 miles 1:10 11:00 12:00
Toms Brook – DC 85 miles 1:30 1:30
Total Mileage 238 miles
Southern Route Photographer Ed Kain submitted the following photos:
Sit Reps for Day Ten will be added when available
Day 10, Friday, May 22, 2009
Good morning RFTW Day 10. We are about to start our final leg of our 10 day cross-country mission. After a last minute change, the riders are up and at it early and off to the American Legion Post #3 for a filling breakfast and a mandatory riders meeting. At the meeting, the FNG’s were given their Arlington passes and allowed to flip their FNG badge upside down, signifying that they are no longer an FNG.
From Roanoke, it was off to the mid-morning fuel stop along Interstate 81 in Central Virginia for our next-to-the-last paid for fuel stop. After fuel and a quick break, the riders headed for Toms Brook for the final fuel stop prior to riding into DC. At Toms Brook, a light lunch was provided in anticipation of the final push into Washington, D.C.
From that point the “Wagon Train” was sent ahead to the hotel. (Side Note – the “Wagon Train” formation is made up of trikes, bikes with trailers and 4-wheelers). We send the “Wagon Train” ahead for their safety and to help relieve congestion during our critical final run into Washington D.C. traffic. Thanks to “Wagon Master - Spook” and his team for getting them safely into Washington D.C.
With only the bikes left, fueling was completed and the pack was on the road just as the scouts from the Central Route began to arrive. The riders began their last 85 miles to the host hotel where they were greeted by the “Wagon Train”, the Advance Team and some of the Road Guards who were sent ahead. Bikes were staged, hotel rooms were acquired, and then the riders moved their bikes from the staging area to behind the hotel in anticipation of the Central Route arriving one hour later. Some riders wandered off to their rooms, some went to the bar, and many just mingled in the parking lot hugging and sharing stories of the past 10 days. All that is left now is to get the Central Route into the host hotel safely and then we can call Run for the Wall XXI Mission Completed.
Later that evening a few events were available for the riders to participate in. Some riders went to a candlelight vigil at the Wall and others went to 8th & I to watch the Marine Corps Evening Parade featuring the United States Marine Corps Band “The President’s Own”; The United States Marine Corps Drum and Bugle Corps “The Commandant’s Own”; the silent Drill Platoon and the Marine Corps Body Bearers who fired the 30 mm cannon salute. For more information on these two “after the Run” events, join us on Run for the Wall XXII.
It was brought to my attention, that I inadvertently posted a road name of one of our riders that was not correct. Jackie Jo “Cutter” was actually given the road name “Wonder” by the riders who accompanied her from Weatherford, Texas to D.C. WELCOME Jackie Jo “Wonder” 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 Virginia:
Sgt. Jesse and his Troops
The Holiday Inn Ballston, Arlington, VA
Arlington National Cemetery
The Church
RFTW Virginia State Coordinator, Bob Attwell
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Above, left, the FNGs who joined us this morning in Roanoke. Above, right, Shirley "Top Sarge" Scott awards the Purple Hearts to the bikes which incurred "owies" en route. Below, Roger "Cowboy" Mead reminding those who were given POW/MIA biographies to the apex of The Wall on Saturday. Below, right, Ray "Too Tall" McDowell and Edwin "Wookie" Craft were chosen to lay the wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns in Arlington National Cemetery on Saturday. That is a supreme honor, and these two men both understand the powerful significance of this duty.
Above, left, the FNGs turned their buttons upside down...they are no longer Fine New Guys or Gals! Above, right, the Road Guards were introduced to the rest of the riders and given a round of applause. Below, left, only 125 riders are allowed into Arlington National Cemetery tomorrow from each route. Too Tall had the FNGs line up, according to the distance ridden, and passed out the ribbons which must be worn on Saturday for entry. Run For The Wall is the only motorcycle group allowed to ride into the ANC at all, so this is a great honor. Below, left, Slammer has special patches created for the Road Guards, which he distributed.
Above, both Sgt. Jesse and his boss have received plaques from RFTW. We appreciate the work Sgt. Jesse does to bring us safely into Arlington each year. Thank you!!! Above, right, Sharon McGee, an acquaintance of Pied Piper's, paid for our gas at the morning fuel stop, so they made her a flagger and put her to work! Thanks, Sharon!
The fuel crew went a little crazy today...wigs, hats, etc.
It was reported that "everybody" went by to thank Sharon for the gas...with that kind of appreciation, it's easy to understand why folks want to support the riders. Bruce "Duck Tape" Officer went by above.
Above, Doug "Gator" James directing traffic into Toms Brook where we grabbed fuel and a quick lunch.
Above, J. C. White waiting for gas. Above, right, the line for gas extended. Below, left, Master Chief needed to arrange his hair! Right, Pied Piper and Slammer with last-minute detailed planning.
Above, Road Guards come in first to Arlington in order to direct traffic. The main pack is led by the Sgt. Jesse and the Virginia Troopers. The coordinators park at the hotel, but all others are directed across the street to a convenient parking lot.
Here is a good story from Dave Talley, a rider on the Central Route who has also taken it upon himself to communicate with truckers about the locations of both routes each day. This is his second year to do this. We are much safer in our travels because of Dave.
The story is amazing...
"We had a rider blow the engine in his Harley on I-64 Thursday afternoon. The Harley dealer and Shenandoah, VA, fixed it today, but that is not the amazing part of this story.
"The guy asked the dealer if there were any rental bikes available, because he wanted to go on with the mission, and did not want to ride on the back of his wife's trike. The dealership told him that they did not have any rental bikes available, they are all already in DC. The guy walked out to his wife's trike and prepared to sit on the back of it.
"The owner of the dealership walked out and told him to come back into the shop. He did. The dealer told him that he needed to take a brand new 2010 Road King for a test ride. As he was filling out the test ride papers, the owner told him that he did not have to finish his test ride till Tuesday afternoon, but that they would have to charge him a dollar a day to be added into his bill. In short the dealer gave the man a brand new bike to ride to DC with, and told him to bring it back with the same amount of fuel that was in it. It was of course empty when he signed the paperwork, and full when he left the dealer.
"Engine Repair $1500.00
New T-Shirt $23.00
Riding a 2010 Harley in a Parade, and being a member of the RFTW family Priceless
"The dealership is at 213 Rolling Thunder Drive, Shenandoah, VA. Coincidence, I think not."
