Corydon, Indiana to Hurricane WV

Today we gear up for the VA hospital in Louisville, and the Memorial in Frankfort.  Both are equally rewarding and emotional, then end up with a long leg to Hurricane West Virginia.  Several surprises in Mt. Sterling KY this year also.  Will blog on all this later.

When I entered the lobby of the VA hospital in Louisville today the first think I saw was a very large plaque with Robley Rex's likeness in bronze and a dedication to his volunteer service.  It was extremely moving, as the Hospital has changed it's name in his honor.  We were greeted by him every year our first 6 years on Run For The Wall, and he passed away last year a few days before the Run.  There was a memorial patch made last year, and I see it on many biker vests. 

Here's one article about him: 

Robley Henry Rex, a World War I-era Army veteran renowned and beloved for his volunteer service to other veterans, died today at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Louisville just four days short of his 108th birthday.
Rex was born May 2, 1901 [This is incorrect according to emailer JT Major. Rex lied about his age when he enlisted and was actually born January 2, 1903. I guess that would make him 106? -S] in Hopkinsville. He credited his longevity to his wife of 69 years, the former Gracie Bivins, who died in 1992 at age 91.
"I married the right woman," Rex always said. He called her "the smartest woman in the world."
The two met at Camp Taylor in Louisville in 1919 before he was sent overseas with the Army. They married in 1922 when he returned to the United States.
Rex was "delightful, bubbly and an energetic, fun guy to be around," retired Brig. Gen. Les Beavers, commissioner the Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs from 1998 until December, told The Courier-Journal a few years ago. Beavers had shared the stage with Rex at many veterans ceremonies.
"Robley not only had a long life, but a quality life. It was an honor to know him," Beavers said....

I broke out of the pack today to get out of the heat ... this has definitely been the hottest RFTW we've done, but before breaking away we experienced the first Mt Sterling free fuel, free lunch.  Every year for 21 years Run For The Wall has had lunch and fuel on your own in this fine city.  This year the mayor told Run For The Wall, "We've ignored you, when you came through our town, long enough.  We want to welcome you."

9 families lost a loved one in Vietnam from their community, and 7 of the families were represented at our lunch.  The lunch was pork loin sandwiches - wow what a great lunch, what a great community, and good job Garth Vinson, KY State Coordinator.  THANKS Mt. Sterling for the fuel and lunch.