Welcome to
Run For The Wall XXI
Southern Route - 2009
"Service Beyond Self"
Day Three - May 15
Las Cruces, NM to Odessa, TX
Exit # Distance Time ETA ETD
Las Cruces – Clint 42 70 miles 1:20 10:35 11:00
TIME CHANGE TIME CHANGE TIME CHANGE
Clint – Van Horn 138 96 miles 1:40 1:40 2:45
Van Horn – Pecos 42 91 miles 1:30 4:15 4:55
Pecos – Odessa 120 84 miles 1:20 6:15
Total Mileage 341 miles
The following photos were submitted by SR Photographer, Ed Kain:
Ray's Equipment in Odessa, TX, hosts a marvelous and very generous dinner for RFTW riders. Right, Kay McDowell welcomes the riders. Perhaps because they ride with us, Ray and Kay have four chow lines with a great variety of food for quick service at the end of this day. They know how hungry the riders are!
Lynne Fouraker sent the photo below from her "MePhone." This dog is on (at least) his/her second RFTW-SR mission!
The lady below is Ray McDowell's mother. Her birthday was today...Happy Birthday, Mrs. McDowell! How well I remember when she and her husband drove a chase trailer (unofficial) and helped us with MANY rider assistance (and other) tasks for a couple of years! Thank you again to the Senior McDowells!!!
Marty takes his job very seriously. Above, he collects money from Jim Augeri and daughter, Jamie, which will be donated to the schools. Breakfast was provided this morning by the Las Cruces VFWs. Below, hand signals are reviewed, and platoon meetings take place.
While everything else is going on, Lil' Bit sells tickets for RFTW's donated raffle items. Again, it is to make money for the schools. Below, left, Mustang and Boogie Man brief their platoon. Below, right, Master Chief, gives Road Guard information to the platoon he rides with.
Each platoon has Road Guards assigned to it. They help with the Platoon Leaders with morning briefings, also. Above, right, Richard "Preacher" Moore, always leads the morning with prayer and the AMA Moment. Here he is introducing the FNGs who joined the pack in Las Cruces. Below, left, Roger "Cowboy" Mead reminds RFTW of its mission and why they ride. Below, right, Lil' Bit and Lynne Fouraker read the morning winning numbers.
Above, the morning Road Guard meeting and the Las Cruces Police meeting to organize the escort to the Las Cruces Memorial. Below, left, is one of the more colorful bikes. Below, right, is the Marine Corps League Honor Guard presenting the Colors.
Riders made time to greet the local veterans and read the memorial inscriptions listing names of those Las Cruces men and women Killed In Action (KIA) in all wars. Captain Salkin was Master of Ceremonies.
Memorial prayer was lead by Richard "Preacher" Moore with the Marine Corps League Honor Guard behind him. Below, right, is Lt. Col. Gavle, the commander of the Army base in Las Cruces.
Left, RFTW Honor Guard posts its wreath at the memorial.
RFTW-SR is again blessed this year with a Hydration Team supported by many churches and other organizations, and led by Chaplain Gary Burd. Above, right, Road Guard Captain John "Slammer" Gebhards fuels up. Left, Diann "Mojo" and John McKee...newlyweds this year....and Platoon Leaders. Congratulations!
Below, the lead element with Missing Man formation rides under escort.
The following five photos of the RFTW-SR entering Ray's Equipment in Odessa were sent on 5/18 by Lisa Howard. Thanks so much to the Patriot Guard for providing the awesome entry! The Advance Team (blue hats) arrived first and offered their own salute of respect to the riders. Thank you, Lisa!
Sit Reps for Day 3
Day 3, Friday, May 15, 2009
Good morning Day 3 Southern Route! After much confusion with hotel accommodations, the riders found their way to VFW Post 10124 for breakfast. After the morning meeting and ceremonies, it was off to the Las Cruces Veteran's Memorial Park with an escort by the Las Cruces Police Department for the Wreath Laying Ceremony. The Colors were posted by the El Perro Diablo Marine Corps League. Dignitaries from the Attorney General's Office and Mayor's Office were also on-hand for the ceremonies.
After the Wreath Laying Ceremony, the riders were escorted by the Las Cruces Police to the freeway heading towards Clint, TX, for a brief fuel stop and hydration. The group navigated the Board Patrol Check Point without incident and proceeded on to Van Horn for a much anticipated lunch stop. Having battled high winds and heat all day, the riders were grateful for the opportunity to rest and eat before proceeding on to Pecos, TX. This afternoon fuel stop was donated by Ray & Kay McDowell (this is the second year in a row for this generous fuel donation by "Too Tall" and "Too Small"...thank you so much). From Pecos, TX it was on to Odessa, TX, and guess what?... we had dinner at Ray's Equipment. We were fed catfish, chicken (with "special" seasoning), hush puppies, all the trimmings, cake, ice cream and fresh strawberries. This is the second year in a row that Ray and Kay also provided the evening meal for the Southern Route. Once our bellies were full (and boy, were they full...), it was off to the various hotels for the evening for much needed rest.
This is a cool story: Jerry McNelly had the opportunity to meet with Victor Richard whom he served with in Vietnam during Tet 1968. This was the first reunion of these two Veterans in over 40 years.
Side Note - Due to a last minute change, Pied-Piper (Southern Route Coordinator) requested that I lead the ride to the Permian Basin Vietnam Veterans Memorial for a candlelight service. This awe-inspiring memorial erected by the citizens of Odessa/Midland stands as a true testimony of their love for the Vietnam Veteran and especially for those whose names appear on their wall. As you look at the Memorial, with its Huey helicopter, the three warriors ready to board and the eternal flame surrounded by the 5 service seals, you can't help but feel the presence of those departed heroes. Right before the service, a strong breeze kicked up, the tail rotor on the chopper began to spin, the grass was waving as if the Huey was about to land and the flags were blowing straight out. It was as though the combined whispers of over 58,000 came together and created the breeze saying "please never forget me" ... and we won't forget.
Thank you Odessa for the warm welcome and your love for the veteran.
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 New Mexico and West Texas:
New Mexico Army National Guard, Las Cruces, New Mexico
Capt. Gary Stewart, NMARNG, Las Cruces, NM
Pic Quik, Inc., Las Cruces, NM
VFW 10124, Las Cruces, NM
VFW 6917, Las Cruces, NM
VFW 3242, Las Cruces, NM
City of Las Cruces, NM
Las Cruces Police Department
Las Cruces Fire Department
RFTW New Mexico State Coordinator, Bill Hawkins
RFTW Far West Texas State Coordinator, Glen Scott
The American Legion of Odessa, TX
Ray's Equipment
RFTW West Texas State Coordinator, Diann McKee
