The emotions of riding across this Nation with hundreds of Veterans.

I had a position in the pack of motorcycle riders with another lady rider.  We kept pace nearly perfectly, she on her Harley, me on my sport bike.

She is active duty, I've never served in the military.

She was young enough to be my granddaughter.  I felt old enough this trip to be put out to pasture.

We shared many tears and hugs, and I know I would do it all again for her, for the willingness she has to take this time before she goes overseas again in service to our country, to ride with a bunch of old people who started this ride years ago as a remembrance of those "Left Behind."  A POW/MIA (Prisoner of War/Missing in Action) mission an awareness ride has turned into a healing mission. The purpose, get people like Michelle to our wall, she can take us forward, continue the mission in Kuwait, on her next duty station ... we can walk away knowing the mission continues.

I was honored with an over-sized plaque last night for my duties as one of the Board members on Run For The Wall.  It represents a lot of fine memories, great hard working people and nose to the grindstone challenges.  It will be a reminder to me that giving so much the last 9 years (5 on the Board) was worth it because of the Michelle's out there, and Truck, and Butch (who I met my first year), Larry from Salina, J.R., Brandon's of the current war(s).

I had to have by bike on the trailer yesterday because I left my bike key in a restaurant that didn't open until after the pack was ready to leave.  When I connected with the manager to arrange to get my key, he said he locked it in the office so that when someone returned for it he'd know where it was.  The janitor who was there cleaning when I went looking, didn't have access to the office.

I carry an extra key and it would work on the saddlebags and even to unlock my gas cap, but it wouldn't start my bike.  One person in our group could get the key to work so, he was called upon to start my bike, got it off the trailer, pulled it up to the building, left the key on, went in to use the restroom,

... and some fine gentleman (they all take care of me) turned my key off!!

In the restroom I had the thought, if someone sees my lights on on my bike they probably turn the key off, and sure enough ... when I came out and saw the lights were off, it was hilarious.  I said, "crapola!"  Probably the harshest word I've said in front of these people who have known me for years.  It's my own version of some four letter words used to express about 10 days of frustration.

So we finally got the key to work one more time, and the hubby and I did the last leg into D.C. ahead of the pack.  At this point I was so frustrated and exhausted, I didn't need to be in the pack.

My bike on a trailer - my d-i-l said it looks good there, she worries about us when we are in the pack.

One of our riders is prepared for ANYTHING.

This run has been so full of emotions.  I'm so honored to hear the stories of how people make the decision to come on the Run, where they joined us and how they found out or were invited.  I also have such a broken heart knowing the Run is changing and as it evolves it won't have the same impact or mean the same to others.  One thing I know for sure, the young people who have a passion for this event are raising up and taking the reigns.  And for that I am proud, honored and humbled.

God bless each and every rider at the Wall today - in a few hours we will pose for a picture in front of the Lincoln Memorial at the end of the reflecting pool, then we will walk the longest quarter mile of our journey to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall where we lay it all down as a collective mass of grieving warriors.

My bike sits among the others waiting to hit the road.

I pray that the tensions I have felt on this year's Run is released there, that the love I have for these people is felt, and that hurts and disappointments can be mended before each one takes their journey home.  I love each and every one of these people who throw their lives into making this work.  I pray that when the riders arrive home their families will have open arms to hold them and open hearts to receive the changed being they've become on this journey.  

Run For The Wall is not a religious or Christian or denominational organization, but it attracts a lot of strong believers who care about helping others heal.  The stories we will all hear over the next several days will help encourage and strengthen our wounded warriors who have served this country and still continue to battle for liberty.

Our Motorcycle Ministry was well represented on this Run this year, and for that we were so honored.

Gallup to Angel Fire

Well - no internet access here, so goes the progress of the daily blog.

entered 5/23

Angel Fire was incredible, so many new riders on Run For The Wall and the friendships and healings that are taking place are rewarding to be a part of. I observed an interaction today that was too emotional for words, which defines Run For The Wall.  Two men, a brotherhood that spanned the generations, speechless.

Williams to Gallup

A few statistics about the 2010 Run For The Wall

For the last 3 years Run For The Wall has registered nearly 2000 participants along the route(s).

The number of Pre-Registrations last year was nearly 900, this year it is 947.

Of that 947, over 450 are pre-registered to begin in Rancho Cucamonga.

Feel free to watch us arrive in your area, but please don't attempt to ride with us unless you're a registered participant and have attended your morning meeting - read details on the specific route below.

Last year's pre-registrations represented half of the registrations at each location where riders join the Run.

Run For The Wall starts in Rancho Cucmonga, East of Los Angeles, CA, May 19th.

The Central Route heads for Williams Arizona, and the Southern Route leaves 15 minutes later for Phoenix.

The Central Route overnight stops include Williams, AZ; Gallup, NM; Angel Fire, NM; Goodland, KS; Junction City, KS; Wentzville, MO; Corydon, IN; Hurricane, WV; Lewisburg, WV; and in to D.C. May 28th.

The Southern Route overnight stops include Phoenix, AZ; Los Cruces, NM; Odessa, TX; Weatherford, TX;
Monroe, LA; Meridian, MS; Chattanooga, TN; Wytheville, VA; Roanoke, VA, and in to D.C. May 28th.

Most of the ride is on interstates so if we're coming through your area, check the MAP on the WEB PAGE

And/or go to the detailed itinerary that actually shows the route turn by turn, day by day
CENTRAL ROUTE

SOUTHERN ROUTE




Also click here to check out Jim Sloan's RFTW PICTURE it's incredible!!

We start registration on Monday at 1:00 PM Pacific Time in CA.  We're hoping this year's preliminaries go smoothly for all involved.  Ride Safe my friends.

Getting a Rubbing of a NAME ON THE WALL the Vietnam Veterans Memorial

The Park Service in D.C. helps you find names of 

loved ones and friends on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall.  

Walking to that name, stopping at the correct panel, stepping up with the special pre-printed rubbing paper they supply along with the park service pencils, pause, breathe ...

This is so emotional, it is extremely moving, and private amidst droves of people.

Among the visitors to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial some are simply looking and moving on, others pausing to take in the reason some items are left at the wall.  Kids reading names out loud, tourists talking as if they're on a walk in any park in the USA, bumping into others on the crowded path ... yet the somber, sacred place is transformed as you kneel or stretch to obtain your rubbing.  Others are shut out, and the graphite of the pencil against the pre-printed "rubbing form" and the reflecting black granite bearing more than 58,000 names  becomes one with you for an instant, making the name appear more real than the air you finally gasp and breathe.

It is an awful place, it is a wonderful place.

Memories flood into the brains of the visitors.  Whether you were there in your youth, or a loved one or friend never returned, or you simply came to the Wall because a loved one needed this trip, each one is choking back his/her knotted up throat, and leaky eyes won't obey.

How many tears have been shed in front of this massive display of loss since it's unveiling in 1982?  We didn't lose in Vietnam, we gained.  Along with our own lives, we have a wonderful respect for those who serve America right now.  We are free to walk that path because we've chosen to look back, look ahead and always remember to say, "Welcome Home."

Run For The Wall, so many people have made this Run, hundreds of people will go for the first time in a few days.  My prayer is that they ride safe, arrive safe and experience the healing that the mission called "Run For The Wall" has prepared for them. 

 Russ "Sheepdog" approaching the wall 2009.

GET AN ARIEL VIEW OF THE  WALL HERE

I think I need a mascot this year.

Russ is going to be a Road Guard on the Central Route, and I will be riding with the pack.

Since Pop Top started giving me little white Teddy Bears with Run For The Wall vests, they've been riding from California to D.C. attached to my luggage.  Last year I put "Sugarbear" inside my bag and kept her clean the entire run.  This year, she has several pins on her vest, and plans to be in a lot of the pictures.

Follow Sugarbear across the miles.

 Here, she's looking at the map on-line on the Run For The Wall web page.

With an American Flag pin, an RFTW 20th Anniversary pin, an HonorBound MM Pin and an Angel on a Motorcycle Pin she's ready for the ride.

Thanks, Pop Top!!

me

A Few Last Minute Details for Run For The Wall before I go!

Well, today at Midnight Pacific time Pre-Registrations end.  Anyone who wants to register for Run For The Wall needs to show up with their $10.00 cash at their starting location at least an hour before the morning rider's meeting.  On Central Route look for Annie or Sharon, and on Southern Route ask for Shirley or Val.

Once I close out the Pre-Registration Feature I will print a Registration Form for each person pre-registered, in alphabetical order, when people show up to register, we'll pull their sheet and have them sign and verify that all the information is correct (great time to update any info.)

There are so many super people that assist with registration all across country.  It is a major "family reunion" in every location where we stop.

There are so many people that do so many things for Run For The Wall it is hard to even estimate how many people help prepare for our arrival.

Here's some idea.

Let's just use one fuel stop for an example.  The local law enforcement know we're coming through and often escort us and control traffic.  The fuel stop employees welcome us, assist us, and often a fuel stop becomes a central welcoming point for local veterans, citizens and relatives of the riders.

What I Pack for Run For The Wall (along with a few lady-like items)

Well, as best as I can remember - here is what is on my bike in Phoenix, waiting for me to fly back there next weekend. 

My Olympia mesh riding pants, along with my First Gear black mesh (with zip on panel) riding jacket, in a bag strapped to the passenger seat.  I wear all the gear all the time, including a helmet.  Not saying I always have, but now I do - more to conserve I guess.
 
The older we get the less tolerance to pain.

My Gerbings cold weather heated jacket and the cool vest you soak in water and wear over clothes in 110 degree weather.

Long Underwear
6 changes of easy to wash and dry undergarments and boot socks.

Motorcycle Boots are by the bike with socks (I'll be flying to pick up my bike wearing a pair of comfortable sandals (to be used evenings along the way).
Toiletries (my fav. shampoo because I like babying myself a little on the "Run")
Very little make-up (although I like make-up, I've learned that it evaporates in the hot Sun and burns your eyes and tearing while riding your own motorcycle is totally not safe!!)
Sun Screen and chapstick
Gloves
An MP3 player for the trip to CA and the trip home. (charger fits mp3 player and phone)
Tested my CB Radio, GPS and had my oil change

I packed enough tops for 4 days (we do laundry in the room) Under Armour 2 short sleeve, 2 long sleeve and my velour vest and long sleeve pull-over. 

The new sleeveless denim shirt from RFTW Merchandise, and my Run For The Wall Vest.

My treasured army surplus wool scarf - a gift from Gunny 2009.
Rope for clothes line in the room and "All" detergent to hand wash (shampoo works, too) Clothespins
I'll have a pair of jeans with me and my rain suit (Frog Togs) fits over my riding clothes.

In my left saddle bag - just behind me when I get off the bike - I keep my toiletries and overnight items I need, I have a tank bag for the quick cash I need at fuel stops, in my right bag on the other side, I carry my rain suit - on top easy access, my Gerbings when not wearing it and my extra cold weather clothing for standing around inthe cold.

On top of my passenger saddle, strapped down, I carry an extra waterproof bag with lots of extra room so that when I need to shed a layer or buy something new there's room for it.

I have my phone charger, my id, my camera and charger, my insurance card for my bike, all that stuff.

John Gosser, Virginia State Coordinator for RFTW filling me in on 

last minute details.  Note how stacked my bike was last year (on left)!

If I forget anything at all chances are the person on the bike next to me will remember it.  I used to ride Run For The Wall with several bags strapped around, thinking of all those things that I may not be able to live without them, over time I learned - just take the basics.

My helmet is a flip face - full-face helmet.  My first year on Run For The Wall it rained from Kansas to Washington D.C.  I had a half helmet and goggles which failed me every day!!  The full-face you get some wind air circulation to keep the fog down and no water in your eyes.  Love it!

Oops! Didn't pack long underwear - guess I'll have a few last minute items to carry on the plane.

We didn't used to fly part of the way - but our calendar and budget don't have room for the 4 days out, not this year or the last 2 years.  We leave Phoenix early May anyway, head to Indiana for a brief visit and for very cheap tickets fly back, rested and ready to hit the ground running.

Some of the volunteer positions we've done on RFTW.

Our first Run For The Wall was in 2003.  We simply survived that one!  I could do an entire post on this topic, but I'll summarize it by saying, that I quit every evening, ate, rested, re-fueled and re-packed, and got up the next day and gave it all I had, one more day.  At some of the fuel and meal stops I nearly quit too.  More later.

In '04, Russ was asked to be Chaplain for the Run, he was honored.  We've managed to ride side-by-side, or with me on my bike behind him most of the Runs.  That year he did the opening prayer each morning, prayed over several of the small community celebration events, and collected prayer requests from the riders throughout the Run to include in the morning Rider's meeting.  We got to know so many super people as a result.  We were hooked on Run For The Wall.

Last Year Greg and Russ laying the Plaque at the Vietnam Memorial Wall

Southern Route and Central Route Coordinators

In '05 Russ continued on the Chaplain's Corp and we participated in the new process where Chaplains were assigned to the back of the pack of bikes, to be ready and available for ministry for any accidents along the way.  We had a few minor accidents that year, followed the ambulance to the hospital and made family contacts, got the motorcycle taken care of, then re-joined the pack.  It was another opportunity to serve the Run For The Wall riders.

In 2006 we were asked to drive (pull) the merchandise trailer with our truck from California to Washington D.C.  This was so much fun - a lot of work - but what an incredible experience serving nearly every rider on the Central Route.  We really began learning the inner workings of Run For The Wall at this point.  In October I was approached about stepping up to the Board of Directors as Secretary to finish the term for the lady who needed to step down.

In 2007 I still owned my Harley and it had become very unreliable, so I rode on the back of Russ's bike all-the-way.  He had a new BMW 1200 LT which was comfy!!  We assisted and trained our new Merchandise Team all across, and it was unique because we weren't with the pack much at all, but it was such a great time being there to greet them at many of the stops.

I got my new '07 FJR in time for the run in 2008.  Russ was asked to be the Assistant Coordinator working under Ron Young Central Route Coordinator.  This incredible honor meant that he was in training for the 2009 Route Coordinator, so he (and I) dug our heals in and learned as much as possible about the inner workings of this amazing volunteer organization.

Looking back we both know that 2009 was the greatest honor of Russ's career.  All the hard work and preparation was rewarded at the front of the pack across America 2009.  With over 100 volunteers reporting in to his key leadership, all the supplies and identification materials distributed and displayed, we pulled out of Rancho Cucamonga with well over 200 bikes following us, laying down the 3000 plus miles in 80-100 mile increments for 10 days.  There were a few minor incidents, which made us very sad, hated to see any one injured.  There were days where we had police escort for nearly the entire day, and ran through major cities on interstate highways with absolutely no traffic joining us.  When you have over 300 motorcycles in a pack you can be a 3 to 5 mile convoy on the highway depending on whether the pack is up to speed or not.

I'm still secretary for the Board, I was re-appointed in 2008.  My term ends with the 2011 RFTW.  The other Board of Directors I've worked with and the Route Coordinators I've gotten to know since 2006, the Leadership Teams all have become great friends.  Looking forward to RFTW 2010.

I may do a post on what has changed since my first Run For The Wall in the next few days.

Harrison County Trailblazers capture the 2009 Run For The Wall in Corydon Indiana

In this video Russ and I are the first two motorcycles.
Stop it at 1:04 and you'll see a great picture of the
two bikes and the shadows of the group on the by-pass.

My bags are packed for Run For The Wall 2010

Because of our unique schedule and the cost of traveling across country, we left our PACKED bikes in a friend's garage in Phoenix this year.  We traveled home to Indiana and are here for a few days of spring cleaning, visit the g-kids, last minute paper-work for our ministry, then fly back to Phoenix to ride to California.

I've served on the Board for Run for the Wall since 2006.  I'm on my last year, second term, and have so enjoyed working with leadership.  Run For The Wall, www.rftw.org is completely run, oraganized and directed by volunteers.  Leadership changes every year, Board of Directors serve 3 years, maximum 2 consecutive terms, and nearly 2000 people register to ride each year.  More than half of the persons registered are new to Run For The Wall.

Two weeks from today I will be very involved in orientation, registration and leadership meetings, taking care of last minute details, meeting new riders and enjoying a reunion with old friends we've met along the way.

This will be my 8th Run For The Wall, I ride my own bike, and I'm so honored to serve in leadership.

We ride from the Los Angeles area to Washington DC leaving May 19th, arriving May 28th the day before my 62nd birthday.  The closing ceremonies will be held May 29th at the Arlington Assembly of God, Arlington, VA.  I hope to post pictures,  I'm currently looking for a mascot for my ride, and I'll highlight a lot of the leadership and the new riders in my posts.

Ride with me by following my blog.

Judy