Sitreps from the Runs for the Wall: Southern Route 2000

RFTW SR Recon 2000

RFTW SR Recon 2000 Day 1:
Departed Ontario, CA, 0800 with 14 riders on 13 bikes plus chase truck and driver. First gas stop Coachella, CA where everyone removed extra shirts and bandanas. Joined by one bike, two up at gas and lunch stop in Ehrenburg, AZ. The weather was beautiful at this point and all removed coats and some removed helmets. We proceeded to gas stop at Tonopah, AZ where we were met by a 2 Officer Arizona Highway Patrol Motor escort into Phoenix. The traffic was heavy but they did an exceptional job. All agreed that this escort was as good as we receive in Albuquerque. We were served an excellent grilled chicken supper with all the extras including HUGE homemade cookies. Supper was followed by time to visit and make new  friends. There was a ceremony at the Veterans' Memorial complete with color guard, Pledge of Allegiance, singing of the National Anthem, the POW/MIA Table Ceremony and a Proclamation was read from the Governor of Arizona that "May 17 & 18 is Run For the Wall 2000 day". We retired to the motel where we had a short debriefing for the day and all agreed that Day 1 of Recon 2000 was a success. Our greetings and best wished to our family members on the Central Route.

RFTW SR Recon 2000 Day 2:
Another beautiful day! A little wind but nothing significant. We were served a bacon, ham, eggs and biscuits and gravy breakfast at the American Legion in Phoenix, AZ. We saw the Arizona RFTW people off as they left to join the Central Route at 0730. Had our morning meeting and prayer and departed Phoenix at 0800 with another excellent escort of 2 Arizona Highway Patrol Motor Officers. Gas stop in Marana, AZ. Mountain Man and Some'R greeted us from an overpass between Benson and Wilcox, AZ and joined us at our gas and lunch stop in Wilcox. We continued on to Lordsburg, NM for gas and reset our watches to accommodate the time change. We completed our day's ride with a night stop in Deming, NM. Everyone agreed that Day 2 of Recon 2000 was successful.

RFTW SR Recon 2000 Day 3:
Departed Deming, NM, 0800. Mountain Man, Kent Wilson, Phil Woodard and Riverman left ahead of us to stop at Barnett HD in El Paso for parts and repairs. Phil's bike needed a new inner primary gasket. Gas stop in Anthony, TX. Made a quick gas stop in Sierra Blanca, TX, and went on 31 miles to Van Horn, TX for a late lunch at the Smokehouse Restaurant. Mountain Man said they have THE BEST. He was right. The change from the planned schedule was a little treat for our Recon Riders. They are doing a great job. Had another time change as we were coming into Van Horn. Night stop in Pecos, TX. Received coupon from motel for free breakfast (real meat and eggs and biscuits!). Recon Don and Noah ("our newly appointed community scouts") located camping facilities for 2001. Our lost sheep (from Barnett's) returned to us safely about dark. Cool enough today to wear coats all day but still sunburn noses. Another successful day for Recon 2000.

RFTW SR Recon 2000 Day 4 and Texas Day 2:
Our second day in Texas started with breakfast at a local restaurant courtesy of our motel. It continued very much like every other day with our morning meeting and prayer. Riverman and Aloha left ahead of us for Odessa for electrical repair on Aloha's bike. We left Pecos at 0800 with a slight overcast but the sun was shining. Just outside Pecos the clouds rolled in and we ran into ground fog. Visibility was good but it was terribly cold. We stopped in Midland for gas where everyone put on more clothes. We were met at the gas stop by Phil Wright's sister and brother-in-law who greeted us warmly with hand shakes, hugs and best wishes for a safe trip. From there we went on to lunch in Colorado City. There we took off all the extra layers of clothes we had put on earlier. Mountain Man and Some'R left ahead of us to go to Abilene for rain gear, "Just in case." We seem to be staying just one day behind the rain but if buying rain gear is keeping to from raining, we'll send them again tomorrow. The country side is starting to get green and is beautiful even though it is mostly desert. Texas isn't nearly as bad as everyone feared - there is just an awful lot of it - even worse than Kansas, Central Route. Mountain and Some'R rejoined us at our next gas stop in Baird. We arrived at our night stop in Weatherford about 4:45 to be greeted by an FNG, King Arthur. He lives about 35 miles from here and will only be able to ride to the lunch stop tomorrow. We're taking good care of him, Cookie, and making sure he feels like a part of the family. Aloha and Riverman rejoined us shortly after we got in. This was our longest day with 368 miles.

Most of the afternoon we watched a blimp as it flew along very near the interstate. AND PEOPLE THINK WE'RE NUTS FOR RIDING AROUND ON JUST TWO WHEELS.

Officially we do not have road guards. However, Noah and Recon Don are taking very good care to see that we are safe and helping make the trip much more enjoyable for all of us. They are, however, using caution and care to be safe themselves, believe it or not.

A NOTE FROM UP FRONT: From my rear view mirror we're lookin' great. From here beside me as each "all the way rider" takes his turn "up front", I see good men and women who love and care and want to see this Southern Route make Run For the Wall known in places where people ask us, "Why have we never heard about you?" They are hearing now and will continue to hear that they are loved and can find healing and peace by sharing in our lives and our mission. The consensus of the riders is that this is going to be a great Run, not only this year, but in 2001 and years to come. I feel honored (and a little stressed at times) to have been given this responsibility and am thankful to have so many around me willing to help and do their part. Signed - Phil

Have a good day tomorrow, Central Route Family, as we plan to. See you in Tom's Brook, VA on Day 10.

RFTW SR Recon 2000 Day 5:
Day 5, and Texas day 3, started with breakfast at Waffle House, our morning meeting and prayer and we were off at 0800 for ANOTHER BEAUTIFUL DAY. Each day we are reminded, as we meet and talk to people, how blessed we are to be here and able to ride and share and care with one another. We are again and again reminded how very important it is that we remember WHY and for WHOM we ride - for all of those our missing brothers and sisters who have not come home and those who have come home but still are prisoners of the hurt and anguish they suffered. We are reminded that it could have been us who did not come back. We think of the patch we received as a gift from Pointman Ministries in Phoenix - the POW/MIA patch without the tower in the background and the prisoner looking upward. The wording on the patch is: "GOD will never forget" and we commit once again to remember them and do all that we can to see them accounted for.

Our travel through the Dallas-Ft. Worth area on this Sunday morning was a snap with the able help of our Assistant Run Leader, Kent Wilson. Because of last minute information that came to us regarding road construction, we adjusted our planned route on the east side of Dallas to take a secondary divided four lane through the East Texas country side and several small towns. It was beautiful and all agreed it was a much needed change from the hurry of the interstate. At our lunch stop in Gladewater, Texas we found a world of people hungry to know more about why we ride. So many of them didn't know there was anyone who cared. We discovered that instead of receiving from people along the way we had much to share and gave of ourselves to them. Yes, there is a lot of Texas, but not negative as we thought at first.

Our FNG, King Arthur, had to leave us after lunch but this new family member was touch and assured us he would be back.

This was a short day, less than 250 miles, but so full of enjoyment and success for Recon 2000.

RFTW SR Recon 2000 Day 6:
We waved goodbye to Shreveport, LA and headed for Mississippi. At the risk of sounding repetitive, ANOTHER BEAUTIFUL DAY. We couldn't have had better weather if we had special ordered it.

Mountain Man and Some'R left us today, as he had a bent push rod in his Scooter. Riverman was going to fix it for him but he decided it best to take it home to the shop that just rebuilt the engine for him less than 5000 miles ago. We'll miss them.

Still on I-20. Stopped in Vicksburg, MS for lunch and a visit with Riverman to the Vicksburg National Military Park where his Great Great Grandfather is buried. Wish we had had more time there. Riverman had to replace his Scoot battery while in Vicksburg. Thanks God for Auto Zone as the Harley Dealer was closed on Monday.

Picked up a day rider from Georgia in Vicksburg. He rode with us for the remainder of the day. He asked to ride Missing Man and was greatly effected by the experience. He said, "You have made this the best day I have had in my life in months. I WILL be back next year." We are doing our best to take care of your FNG's, Cookie.

Stopped for the night in Meridian, MS. Dolorus, at Super 8, was so good to us. Our reservations had been fouled up but she did her best to get us all in and happy.

The community here as well as all along the route has been so open and welcoming. The VFW here wants to do something special for us next year. Our "Community Scouts" sure are doing their job.

Bob Olds hit a 'gator and ripped off his kickstand spring. He bungied it up and we kept going. We are just glad he wasn't hurt.

QUOTES FROM THE BACK:

Recon Don: "I'm my usual sleeveless self. We have to fight to keep the speed down as the roads and traffic are great. The VFW and American Legions response has been so positive. I'm looking forward to next year already."

Noah: "Someone asked if this Run was all I expected. NO!! IT IS AWESOME!! IT IS MUCH MORE THAN I EVER EXPECTED. Wish you could all be here with us. Traffic is light, weather is perfect, people are very polite, both on the road and the contacts we're making for future Runs. BEST RUN YET! Hope you all on the Central Route are having as great a time as we are. We are seeing Southern Hospitality all the way and the Southern Route has been a success all the way."

Jim Fish: "Weather is great. Would much rather take the Southern Route as it is more mellow with less traffic. People are so interested in what we are doing. I can see that the Southern Route is going to work as it is really good. We've promised the communities more riders next year. I saw a 'gator on the side of the road today. It was a REAL 'gator - but he was dead. Bob Olds wanted me to stop and take a picture but the 'gated SMELLED. He told me to hold my nose and take one anyway."

Riverman: "We have to watch out for the turtles on the road (actually, on the side of the road). The one I saw was BIG. I also saw a little Armadillo. This is a GOOD RUN. I'm looking forward to next year when we can enjoy a little more of the real flavor of the South."

We'll have more quotes for you on Day 7 when we stop for the night in Chattanooga, TN.

RFTW SR Recon 2000 Day 7:
Left Meridian, MS 0800. Gas stop in Tuscaloose, AL where we were met by Media, Local bike riders, Tuscaloose Police Motor Escort, Chief of Police on his Harley, VAMC Director on his Harley and VAMC staff members on their bikes to parade us through town past their Military Memorial to the VAMC. We were greeted by banners,"WELCOME RUN FOR THE WALL", patients and staff with flags and cheering. We visited, hugged necks, shook hands and were welcomed by the director and department heads. We were treated to a DELICIOUS fish fry lunch complete with hushpuppies, cole slaw, potato salad, iced tea, lemonade, fresh fruit bowl and ice cream. Phil and Linda were interviewed by TV media regarding RFTW and our visit to the VAMC then taken to a near by Mall for a live TV interview. They returned as we continued our visit. One of the prime concerns of the Recon Volunteers was missing the visit at Jefferson Barricks. THE SR HAS FOUND IT'S JEFFERSON BARRICKS!!

Gordon Long from Wyoming had been ill for the last two days of our ride. He insisted that he was fine but we had watched he get worse by the day. We asked that he be checked by hospital doctors and it was determined that he had a high fever and most likely infection of some sort. We pulled out as scheduled leaving Recon Don with Gordon and continued to a gas stop in Whitney, AL with a two mile (yes, mile) rain and wind storm which ended nearly as fast as it began. A member of a local Wheels and Spokes Club and FNG accompanied us to the gas stop, riding missing man. He thanked us repeatedly for the honor and privilege and said, "This has effected me like nothing else that I can remember!" He has volunteered himself and his club to assist RFTW SR in coordinating in Alabama.

Recon returned to us by evening says that Gordon had been admitted, placed on antibiotics and would be kept until they felt it safe for him to travel.

The SR added another state as we passed through Georgia to our night stop in Chattanooga, TN. We were experiencing the usual 7th day "tired" and several of us ordered supper delivered. The next morning we were ready to go again and anticipating another good day for Recon 2000.

RFTW SR Recon 2000 Day 8:
Left Chattanooga, TN at 0800. Once again the day is sunny and clear. Looks like another beautiful day - shirtsleeve weather for sure. Stopped for gas at Loudon, TN.

Just before we reached our lunch stop, Phil and Linda were encouraged to leave the group and go on ahead to the Harley dealer. They needed a new intercom cord for Linda's helmet. She can hear Phil but can't talk to him (NOT GOOD!). Actually, she CAN talk to him but he can't hear her (maybe that is good). Recon took Phil's place with Kent and they took the group on into White Pine for lunch. Phil and Linda rejoined the group at the lunch stop and were encouraged to ride missing man for the rest of the day. "We really appreciated that opportunity" Phil said. "Usually the Run leader does not get to do that. We have a great group of men riding with us and we are seeing such a closeness developing among us. Each one is thinking about the others rather than themselves, so each one's needs are being met. It is such an honor to be filling this position."

Our mid afternoon gas stop was rather confusing and we will be changing it for next year.

Our night stop was Wytheville, VA. The exit for the motel was somewhat confusing but we got a nice tour of the town. The motel is Veteran owned so we will definitely keep this on our schedule for years to come. We were treated very well and the rooms were reasonable and nice. Gordon rejoined us about 10:00 PM and was feeling much better. He was glad to be back and everyone was defiantly glad to have him back. It rained hard in the night.

RFTW SR Recon 2000 Day 9:
Though it was still quite cloudy it was warm this morning. We had our usual 7:30 meeting and prayer and just as we were about to leave, a vicious storm with heavy rain, wind and lightening suddenly hit. The lightening was so sharp and close that Phil and Kent agreed it wasn't worth the risk to take the riders out in it. We had a second (or third) cup of coffee and donut from the office lobby and sat down to visit. About 8:35 the storm had passed and we put on our rain gear and headed off for Salem, VA. We had called to tell Salem VAMC that we would be late but that we were definitely coming. We knew our day was short so this minor delay was of no consequence. We rode in a light but not unpleasant rain most of the way to Salem, were met by a Police Escort and taken to the VAMC there.

Can a Run have more than one Jefferson Barricks? YES! Salem VAMC, though completely different than Jefferson Barricks or our Tuscaloosa, VAMC, was both heart warming and heart rending. Salem recently dedicated a new POW/MIA Memorial on the hospital grounds. It was designed by Robert Gray, an ex-Korean War POW. His inscription on the memorial read: "Dedicated to all American prisoners of war for their patriotic service to these United States of America, the fate of many known only to God." We were given pins and buttons and hands shakes, hugs and thank you's from staff and residents. We sang Happy Birthday to Herb Wallach - US Army, a resident there, for his 59th. birthday. The Chief of Volunteer Services and Assistant Public Affairs Officer hugged us and said, "Please come back, no matter if there are 10 or 100 of you, please come back. You will never know what this has meant to us!!"

Five of our riders, one an FNG, left us at this point to ride on to Rainelle, WV for the activities there with the Central Route. We were then escorted to the Virginia Veterans Care Center (not a planned stop) where we were greeted by the staff and residents there. As our stay came to a close and we were saying our good byes, the director of the center asked us to stay and eat lunch with them. We got good southern cookin' with beans and ham and corn bread, salad, pie and ice cream. At the care center we held hands, hugged necks, listened to stories of bikes ridden and wars fought and sometimes cried with one who was crying. Again, we were asked to, "PLEASE COME BACK! Most people don't even know we are here!" And your SR Recon 2000 says to you, "WE WILL NEVER BE THE SAME -WE ARE FOREVER CHANGED, because of this experience."

We stopped in Daleville, VA, for gas and went on into Staunton for the night. We got in early enough to relax a little after unloading our gear, checked out the local HD shop, "Little Phil" did an oil change on his bike and then we went to supper together and made a Wal-Mart run. Our five riders returned to us safe from Rainelle.

The day was done but our thoughts continued about the day we had and the experiences that had touched our hearts and lives.

RFTW SR Recon 2000 Day 10:
Day 10 dawned warm and sunny, not a cloud in the sky and anticipation was high for completing our mission.

This was a very short morning for us as we only had 69 miles to go. We loaded the bikes and went to breakfast together - THANK YOU, ALOHA, FOR BREAKFAST!! - then had a quick meeting and our morning prayer together. Recon 2000 presented "Big Phil & Mother Hen" a card of appreciation which was greatly appreciated. "Mother Hen" thanked the riders for the privilege of riding with them and for their kindness and consideration of her and making her feel welcome. Aloha hooked a double strand of beads on her vest, designating the Viet Nam Campaign ribbon, and said, "Thank you for helping us on the Recon and I feel you deserve to wear this too."

Linda: "I feel honored to wear these beads and to be the first and only woman to go ALL THE WAY on the RFTW Southern Route."

We left Staunton at 0930 flying black and red ribbons from our vests (red is for the blood shed and black is for the mourning) and yellow ribbons from our bikes (our way of saying "BRING THEM HOME")and arrived in Tom's Brook at 1045. We filled with gas, visited with other riders waiting to join the main run and had lunch.

The main run arrived shortly after 1200. After they had lunch, we merged with them and rode together into DC. We received our usual Police Escort picking us up shortly after reaching the belt way.

We took our group pictures at the Iwo Jimo and rode to The Wall. Each rider left The Wall when he was ready and went to the hotels for the night.

The RFTW Southern Route Recon is complete except for a final evaluation by the riders and an after action report to be submitted to the Board.

We plan to submit for posting some follow up information and quotes from the riders but will close for now with this quote from one of our riders who was unsure at the last minute whether or not he wanted to go with the SR: "I  MADE THE RIGHT CHOICE!!"

Thank you to everyone who had a part in the planning of the SR and from all of us to all of you, "THANK YOU FOR THE PRIVILEGE OF MAKING THIS RFTW SOUTHERN ROUTE RECON 2000 - WE WILL NEVER FORGET!!"

Submitted on behalf of the RFTW SRC and Recon 2000,

Phil & Linda Wright
Coordinators
Kent Wilson
Assistant Run Leader

SOUTHERN ROUTE RECON 2000 QUOTES FROM THE BACK:

We received this e-mail from one of our day riders and with his permission would like to share it with you. We were midway between our mid morning gas stop and lunch on Day 6 when a rider passed us, waved and went on. A few miles down the road, we passed him and he fell in at the back of the pack. We stopped for gas and he pulled in behind us. We greeted him, welcomed him and invited him to join us for lunch -he did. After lunch he rode with us to the Vicksburg National Military Park. He maybe didn't know it, but he was already part of the "family". He asked to ride with us to our night stop and he was invited to ride "missing man". Following is the e-mail that Recon 2000 received from him:

---------- message ----------
Date: Wed, 24 May 2000 00:59:58 -0400
From: Gaylon Spears
Subject: Got home safely

Hi yall doing,

Just wanted to let you know I arrived safely home today. I also wanted to thank you for allowing me to ride with your group. It was probably one of the most moving experiences I have ever had and it "wont be forgotten." I found it to be an honor and priviledge to ride with all of you. I admired the passion you displayed for this cause, and the undying devotion & loyalty you have for those that have fallen and are still missing. I cant truly understand your feeling for this cause, since I never served in the armed services, But I do understand the sense of loyalty that you do thru my experiences in law enforcement. I cant truly compare the streets of our country to the war zones of the Vietnam jungles, but I do know the sense of comradery among the officers of the law and the heartfelt loss of officers dying in the line of duty, even if I never knew them. Your cause is just and very worthwhile and you made me proud just to be with yall the short time I was with you. Your kindness and acceptance for me was greatly appreciated.

I pray you have a safe trip to DC and home again and beyond.

Godspeed,
Gaylon

PS You will now have to email the picture my wife would like to see this