RFTW Day Last

Friday we got to DC and Saturday went to The Wall. Mission accomplished. This has been so hard. As the trip went on....too tired and too sweaty to blog at night. I don't want to be a reporter..........they observe and record all day and then must report. So many stories.............I think I'll need to get home and run it through my mind and report some great stories.

My main man "Road Hog" left for Texas this mornin. He was the first guy to greet me in California and he extended his hand and said in his best Texas gravely growl, my name is "Ground Hog" and they call me that because my Hog is on the ground all the time because I can't get the kickstand down. Sure enough in Chattanooga, TN at the H-D dealer, Musicman and Ms. Musicman and I are last to leave the party and here comes "Ground Hog" and he says, Hey DJ can I talk to you for a minute over here and there was his Hog on the ground. Thanks for the memorey Ground Hog, you will live forever in my mind.........

See you on the radio Friday night and remember it ALL VINYL NIGHT on Monday May 2.

L+P
DJ

RFTW Day 6 Monroe LA - Meridian MS 208 miles

Check out rftw.org Southern Route......lotsa pics and stories. The fuel crew isn't in many of the pictures because we are gone. THere are so many stories on this ride. Yesterday, Jim H., born in Rapids graduated Hibbing HS, 101st Airborne Vietnam, was at a ceremony in Monroe LA talking to another guy from MN and a guy comes up to him and says, Jim H.? and Jim asked him how he knew his name and the guy said 101st Airborne Vietnam and Jim said, Barney? Sure enough 40 years had separated them and despite the extra pounds and gray hair they recognized one another. Barney asked Jim if he remembered who carried his rucksack and gun off the mountain in the Ashau Valley(a very bad place)? Barney had been so thirsty that despite warnings he drank some questionable water and got amoebic dysentery. Jim carried the rucksack and someone else carried his rifle. They also remembered the time going down another mountain in the Ashau and hearing the NVA coming up the mountain. They hit the ground and Jim pulled out a grenade and threw it down the slope and his buddy pulled a grenade and lobbed it and THUNK! it hit a tree and bounced back towards them........the slope was at such an angle that they just got a dust bath. Jim is in another place today after meeting Barney after all these years. At the Mississippi River we were greeted by a Vietnam era Cobra gunship and a Huey slick circling overhead. Over the next miles to Jackson people were on the overpasses and waving flags and holding banners reading THANK YOU FOR OUR FREEDOM, THANK YOU FOR OUR FREEDOM OF SPEECH, THANK YOU FOR OUR FREEDOM OF RELIGION....Our noon stop was at H-D of Jackson MS. They had a Chinook sitting out front which eventually fired up and corkscrewed up to a 1000 ft and flew off. Eventually it returned and skydivers leaped out the back. A jet fighter flew over at what might be considered too low. H-D of Jackson MS fueled all the bikes for free and provided a BBQ chicken lunch. There were also three Congressional Medal of Honor recipients (you do not win the MOH, it is awarded), POW's from WWII-Vietnam, a Navy band performed and also many people in character for The Trail of Honor. There were 21 stations with people in character and costume depicting the wars the U.S. has been a part of starting with French and Indian War through Vietnam. Many organizations worked together to make all this happen. We also visited a VA hospital in Jackson to talk with the residents. We went inside in case there were people who couldn't go outside. It was a beautiful day and everyone seemed to be outside talking. The Fuel Team also got to escort the Traveling Wall to the next city. I was part of a missing man formation that lead The Wall on it's journey. What an honor. Our stop for the evening was Meridian MS. We were at the Meridian Ag Pavilion waiting for the main group to arrive. There was a fire dept ladder truck flying a giant American flag over the road and the main group was met at the MS state border by what appeared to be every motorcycle officer in MS and escorted to Meridian. It was pretty impressive to see 30-40 motorcycle officers with blue lights flashing and sirens wailing leading 400 motorcycles. People parked their bikes and were taking off gear and talking when right on the deck a jet fighter goes over and pulls up into a vertical climb and flies off. Everyone was going cool man and then three jets come flying over and doing some fancy maneuvers and fly off and by now everyone is pumped and then a single jet flew over and dropped its landing gear and zooms off and flys back over us wagging its wings. The people of Meridian are fantastic. We had the best catfish, fries, hush puppies and slaw meal ever and all you could eat. Sorry Monroe LA, but you had the best desserts and second greatest catfish meal. Then they said if anyone has dirty laundry someone will take it home and wash and fold it and return it by 10:00pm that night. They even gave you a laundry bag to keep. After the speeches and awards the speaker asked if any Meridian police officers were present. Up walked what looked to be the Chief of Police and there is a little off mike conversation and the speaker says, There will be no arrests in Meridian tonight.........this is your hometown tonight people thank youa for your service to our country. The crowd roared with approval. Safe pledge to make with this group of veterans....after they take their meds and shower they are in the racks by 10pm sawing logs. Had a great conversation with a local historian. He told how Sherman or Grant had burned Meridian to the ground and ripped up the rr tracks and twisted the rails and three weeks later the rr was back in operation. We also talked about the Battle of Vicksburg..........Vicksburg surrendered on the 4th of July and every year since on the 4th of July the flag is flown at half staff at the capital in Vicksburg.

RFTW Day 11

Day 5 RFTW Weatherford TX-Monroe LA 350 miles

Long run today. Started with about 350 riders and at our first stop in Terrell TX we picked up another 100 day riders. The people of Terrell had a tent set up with free refreshments and sandwiches for all of us. Fuel Crew doesn't get to stay for many festivities because we go in advance of the group to get the fuel stop set up. We got it down now. We can fuel 350 bikes in about 20 minutes. Working as a team now and things are going good when we can find the gas station. Our next stop was Longview TX and we drove all over looking for the gas station and once again we drove by it 2-3 times before we figured it out. I should say before our leader figured it out. He sure is no path finder. Longview VFW provided a meal and refreshments for all 450 riders. We didn't get to eat there because we were behind so we got some gut bombs and hit the road. Finally got to slow down when we left Texas. Louisiana's speed limit is 70mph and we all asked things to slow down. Only hit 80 a couple of times and mostly kept it at 70 or 5 over. No clouds until late afternoon....temp was in high 90's and I fried. Didn't get sun block on until afternoon so I look like lobster boy now. I coudn't count all the overpasses that had people standing on them waving flags and banners welcoming us to Louisiana. Flags were stuck in the ground every mile for 10 miles into Monroe LA. Someone picked up the fuel tab for our stop in Minden LA. In Monroe LA the people put on a fabulous dinner including catfish, hush puppies, salads, tater-tots and pies and cakes. People shake our hands and say thank you for your service every where we go. I'll never forget the old cowboy at the end of his driveway leaning against his pick up and waving to everyone that went by.......

RFTW Day 8 9 10

Things got pretty busy after the first official day of RFTW. We need to catch up here. Like I said I'm on the fuel crew and for day 2 and day 3 we kinda looked like the FOOL CRU. Our leaders were wonderful to step forward and try to organize us, but then they half-stepped when faced with the volunteers (ARMY MEAN GREEN). Most of the volunteers are retired military (or conscripts like us)and are use to giving orders, so if you don't take charge right away they start complaining and griping and holding back to see if it is worth it. The guyz in charge are Air Force and they were/are all specialist, not leaders of groups of individuals. One leader was a backseat man on Phantoms so all he has seen has been from 35,000 feet looking at a screen (and besides he rides a BMW) and the other leader was an Air Force NCO sent to help the ARMY in Song Be (r u followin me BEAV???) while the rest of us had our feet on the ground. Now, 35 years later on the ground he likes to go super sonic. Most of Texas is legal 80MPH on the interstate. That means we can go 90MPH to the lead guyz. Besides jet jockeys, there are chopper pilots that like the rush too. Somewhere in TX before the DEA check point we were riding 80MPH in the rain....that's a no brainer, there is stuff on the road that can hurt you. We made it out of the rain and the check point because our guardian angels can fly as fast and high as we can...............

Day 2 we rode 390 miles from Phoenix to Las Cruces like a bunch of crazy gringos...........faster than a speeding ticket. Two FREE fuel stops on day 2 that cost donor's $1,500 aprox and two meals provided with programs by communities we visited. We ask for donations at the FREE fuel stops and any money over and above what we owe goes to a fund that helps a child or children of a VET who dies. Time for a true story.....VET returning from Iraq to Dallas..........his wife and two children are driving to the airport to meet him and a drunk driver hits them............when he got off the plane he was greeted with a message........his two children were gone and his wife was in IC.............all gave some............some gave all...........what did this guy give????????.

We looked like fools in Wilcox, AZ because last week the truck stop we were lookin for changed names and we drove by it twice before the local cops pulled us over and said follow us dumb asses. Day 1 and Day 2 we had 2 free fuels and 2 free meals and 2 free MOMENTS. There are people out there building memorials to VETERANS out of pure love for VETERANS and a lot of them are VN vets We have seen more hand built and maintained memorials and the most beautiful thing is they did it to honor us and in turn we honor them when we stop.........I was listening to Prairie Home Companion tonight and after there was a program about a son taking his father, a Purple Heart Vietnam Vet, back to Vietnam to see where he was attacked and wounded..........fab program until the next program which was about somebody and their struggle to end the war,,,,,,,,,,,,,,it musta been hard carryin those signs and doing those panty raids. Last night I saw a guy who I kept seeing in the fuel line. I asked him if he wuz havin fun still? He said, "I'm from California and my faith in America has been restored"........he is coming back next year with his wife.

DAY 3 Las Cruces to Odessa, TX. More high speeeed pursuit......Things were AFU...........some of us got left behind at the noon pump and munch and so we had to catch up. Music Man and I did 90MPH for 90 miles to catch up in Pecos, TX. When we got to the exit my front tire went flat.......good newz......I put it on the trailer and road in the back seat to Odessa. Two free fuels and two free meals and two programs honoring veterans.

DAY 4 Odessa TX to Weatherford TX.......New leaders and new flight plan.......90MPH in a tight pack and once in awhile 95MPH....yikes.....I know my Road Glide can do 110MPH now tryin to keep up.....Hoppy, a front seater on Phantoms in the day did an amazing evasive manuever at the Colorado City, TX exit when he saw some gravel in the corner and amazed us ground pounders when he kept it up right and over the berm and into the ditch and back onto the ramp. The best day and fuel stop we had so far. We have got it figured out now if leadership will stay out of the way. GOD, I LOVE THIS COUNTRY. Tomorrow we finally get outta TX and can slow down for some MS and LA down home stylin. Every day is better than the previous and every day I get closer to home.

L+P DJ II Cor 1:8-11

RFTW Day 7

Today is the 7th day into my journey and the 1st official day of Run For The Wall. We ride for those who can't and to make people aware of POW and MIA issues. Barry A. Olson was a classmate and neighbor of mine growing up. Barry dropped out of high school and eventually joined the Army. On September 26, 1968 he was riding on an APC (armored personel carrier) which was hit with a B-40 rocket fired by VC or NVA. The APC caught fire and Barry was sitting over the claymore mines and other ammo. After the attack was over all personel were thought to have been evacuated. At a later head count it was discovered Barry was missing. A search was launched and he was not found. He had been seriously wounded and was thought to have died yet no remains were found. Local villagers or the NVA or VC know what happened to him. Posters were distributed in the area and rewards offered. No remains have ever been found or turned over to the U.S. Barry's mother died never knowing what happen to her son.

We left Rancho Cucamonga this morning in 75 degree weather at 07:30. By 08:30 we were in the desert and at 95 degrees. I am part of the advance team and our job is to help fuel the bikes at the fuel stops. Our fuel team heads out before the main group to get things ready and we hand them the gas hose and collect the money. We round up to the nearest dollar to speed things up. We can fuel 200 bikes in 20 minutes to the pleasure of the station employees and customers because we could tie things up for a long time. To be part of the advance team you have to have been a previous participant in RFTW so we have an experienced group of riders. We ride tight and it is so exciting to ride with about 30 bikes at 80 mph across the desert. Even 30 bikes take up a lot of highway so we have to be aware of traffic and not block its flow. Maybe we are all adreline junkies and love the high you get. On our second fuel stop was in Blythe, CA and as we pulled into town we were escorted by local police and firemen and greeted by people lined up on the streets waving flags and cheering and saluting us. This is part of the healing process for the FNG's (Funny (or F#$%*ng)New Guys) this is the parade they never got when they came home. I still get choked up and this is my second time. The fuel for everybody was paid for by donations from the people of Blythe. After fueling we headed to the fairgrounds where a BBQ lunch and refreshments were provided again by the people of Blythe. The local school band was there to play the National Anthem and other music. People were lined up shaking hands and thanking the riders for their military service and mission. Probably won't see that on the big three news channels, but it will be in our hearts forever. If you are ever driving by Blythe, CA stop and spend some money there on gas and food. At our next fuel stop a trucking company paid for the fuel and we are talking about $1500-$2000 worth of fuel. The Arizon HP motorcycle patrol gave us an escort into Phoenix and to the Veterans' Home. We met with the residents and they were thrilled to see us as they remembered last year's visit. I talked to 3 or 4 residents and they were so glad to have visitors. One resident I talked to, Frank, was a WWII Vet and after the war went to college on the GI Bill. He was the head computer guy for the lunar missions of the 1960's. Still sharp and proud of his country and supportive of those who fought for it. God Bless you Frank. After the visit we headed to the host hotel and a free steak and chicken meal from Outback Steak House. Saw a bumper sticker today that I just loved, it said Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of those who threaten it, USMC. Hooray for the Green Machine. I know it sounds trite, but FREEDOM ISN"T FREE.

Never forget Barry A. Olson and all MIAs and their families.

RFTW Day 5 and 6

We got to Rancho Cucamonga a day early so Monday we relaxed and did laundry. The weather was a cool 60 and misty and drizzling on and off all day. Tuesday the Santa Anna winds kicked in. It was a warm 80 with strong winds, the flags were snapping in the 40-50 mph winds. Gas here is $4.13/gal for premium and diesel was $4.59. I have been trying to find postcards since Sunday and have yet find them. Anybody want to start a business??? Maybe they don't get many tourists here. It is beautiful here, many plants are in bloom and lawns are green. One thing I noticed was signage. There are no big billboards or signs on the road for McDonalds or Target or Walmart or any businesses. It is difficult when you do not know your way around and are trying to find a business. I am used to MN where you can see the signs blocks away and get in the correct lane to make your turn. Here you are driving 50 mph and trying to find your store and then go by it and have to turn around and go back. One important piece of business we completed Monday night was giving people their road names, it's a biker thing. Al, who is the guy who organized our group from MN is known as "SubRat" because he was a submariner in the Navy. Jim I became "Chatter" because he is always telling stories. Tim is "Wood Butcher" because he was a carpenter in the SeaBees. Bob is Oscar and I can't remember why now. Jim II is known as "Wheezer" because he has emphsyma. Curt is called "Reuben" and I can't remember why. I confused everybody because my license plate reads "CYCHO" because I am crazy about motorcycles. My official road name is of course "DJtheDJ".

We had a blessing of the bikes and riders tonight and a meal was provided for us. We had a couple of speakers, one of whom was John Bacca. John was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions in Vietnam. He gave a very short speech and he said Thank you, love one another and watch out for each other. Guess that says it all.

Tomorrow we begin our mission and that mission is to remember those who were/are POW's and MIA's and to Never Forget the sacrifices that so few made for so many. We ask for a full account of all POW's and MIA's and to never leave them behind. The remains of Matt Maupin who was MIA in Irag for the last three years were just returned to his family last month. The second part of this mission is to heal those who are wounded..........PTSD...........not all wounds are visible. There are some young faces on the ride this year. Iraq and Afghanistan has created a new generation of veterans. One Vietnam veteran riding with us lost a son in Iraq last year.

Pray for all our sons and daughters in harms way around the world. Plato said, "Only the dead have seen the end of war."

RFTW Day 4

Finally got to ride with just pants and a t-shirt and a vest. Talked to my brother the truck driver and he said traffic will be heavy heading into L A because of all the people heading back from Vegas on Sunday. We decided to get an early start to avoid the traffic. Lots of sun screen needed because there is not a cloud in the sky and we didn't expect any all the way to L A. It was already 70 at 8am and off we went. Saw Vegas for the first time and it is impressive to see the huge casinos. Nevada is a helmet state. You can buy fireworks there, gambling is legal as well as prostituion, but you gotta wear a helmet. People drive fast in Nevada. The posted speed limit in some places was 55 mph and we were going 70-75 and getting passed by most people. Harleys need premium gas and it is $4/gallon and more at every stop. One of the guys rides a Honda Valkyrie and has to stop every 100-120 miles for fuel. That makes for frequent stops which allows my right arm to get some rest. Now that we are out of the mountains I am leading and using my cruise control so today it didn't hurt, but it is still numb. Couldn't squeeze the nail clippers to trim my finger nails. The temp was rising steadily. I have an air temp gauge on my bike so I was watching it climb as the day grew longer. Going across the Mojave Desert it hit 100. But it's a dry heat. Ha! Traffic was heavy but not jammed up. Everyone is going faster than we are. With the cruise set at 75 mph we were still getting passed by everyone except truckers who must drive slower. The posted speed for trucks was 55 mph in many places and yet they were going much faster than that, but not as fast as us. I think some truckers are slowing down to save on fuel because diesel is so expensive. Talked to one trucker who said to make the most money he runs about 1200 rpms which translates to about 57 mph when he is hauling. Glad I am not a trucker. We got to HQ Hotel about 4pm and there were about 50 bikes here already. Most are from Texas it seems and are part of the advance team. Now we can rest for a couple of days and wash clothes and bikes and prepare to leave on Wednesday morning. I am part of the advance team as a fueler. Our job is to go ahead of the group and get things ready for the main group. We need to organize it because there will be 200 bikes to gas up and we need to do it in an orderly fashion.

RFTW Day 3

Cool again this morning and I put my long johns on. More mountain riding today. The guys I am riding with love riding in the mountains and going fast. I am getting use to it now. I have not rode much in the last five years because of back problems and I was a little rusty. My right arm and hand are numb from all the throttle work you need to do riding in the mountains. We stopped at Salina, Utah for gas and lunch and again people are admiring the bikes and asking us about our trip. One man asked if we would like to see a Vietnam Memorial that is being built in their small town. We followed him to Redmond, Utah population about 500 people. They stopped by one house and yelled something to the people in their house. When we got to the memorial all of a sudden about ten other people showed up, one of whom was a brother of the man who lead us there. He was a Vietnam Vet and humped a radio in the infantry. Only job worse was carrying the M-60 machine gun. The radios then had antennas and Chuck loved to shoot the radio man first because that guy could call in artillary and air support. I didn't know what to expect for a memorial in a small town. It was beautiful. It had two bronze life size statues. One was of M-16 with bayonet stuck in the ground with a helmet on the butt plate and a pair of jungle boots representing a fallen soldier. The other was a life size statue of a soldier in jungle fatigues on one knee and holding his M-16. There were flag poles for each branch of the services and plaques listing the fallen soldiers from Redmond, two in Vietnam, two in Korea and about a dozen in WWII. The VFW had built this memorial through donations. After hugs and handshakes all around we continued on. If you are ever in Redmond, Utah stop and see this memorial. We were still at altitude and cool temps. We had decided to make it to Mesquite, Nevada and stay at the Oasis Casino. We dropped down about six thousand feet and all of a sudden it was 90 degrees, but it was a dry heat. Ha! Got to Mesquite and a room for four was $44 and half the price of our previous motel. It was good to get out of all our clothes and be warm. Tomorrow we head for L A and headquarter's hotel for RFTW.

RFTW Day 2

Today we are heading for Colorado and I-70 and Eisenhower Tunnel. Very cool this morning, 40, so we have all our leather on. Chaps, jackets, vest and gloves. I didn't put my long johns on because I thought it was going to warm up. Nebraska is a helmet state so I wore it under protest. I thought that's what the wars have been about.........freedom. It did warm up and when we stopped in Ft. Morgan, Colorado I took my jacket and helmet off and rode with just a t-shirt and vest. It was 75 in Denver and very comfortable. As soon as we headed up I-70 it begin to cool down and so we pulled over and gassed up and added my jacket and stocking hat. We were standing around and as usual someone will come up and look at the bikes and ask us where we are going. In Ft. Morgan a gentleman told us that he had come on I-70 and through the Eisenhower Tunnel the previous day and it had snowed hard. Now I wished I had put my long Johns on. At a higher altitude we could see the snow falling and sure enough we drove into some snow flurries. Luckily it was about 35 so it was melting on the road. Got spoked coming around a curve and I saw a wet patch and prayed it wasn't ice, prayer answered, no ice. It was beautiful in the mountains but when you are on two wheels you need to pay full attention. Nothing like going down a 6% grade at 80 mph around a 55 mph curve. We got to Rifle, Colorado about 6pm and had supper and again people are looking at the bikes and asking where are you going and we asked about rooms for the night. They said good luck, the oil and gas fields are going nuts and rooms were bought up by the companies for their workers. I thought something was up because regular gas was $4.09/gallon and a three peice meal at KFC was over $9.00. We found one room with one bed and it was starting to drizzle. The room weas not big enough for all of us so we headed for the next town, Grand Junction, 60 miles away. The drizzle soon turned to a full blown rain and we had to keep on going and luckily it quit raining after about 20 miles. The only thing spookier than 80 around a 55 mph curve is doing it at night at 55 mph. There was a big high school event going on in Grand Junction plus it was a Friday night and once again we couldn't find a room for all of us. One clerk started calling around and found us two rooms at a downtown motel. Now it was raining again and off we went to our motel. There are seven of us on the trip, Jim, Jim, Tim, Bob, Curt, Al and myself. Jim and I are are Army Vets. Jim was a Grunt with the 101st Airborne in the Ashau Valley and a Purple Heart awardee. Bob, Al and Tim are Navy Vets. One was a Seabee in Vietnam, another was blue water vet and another was on submarines off the coast of Vietnam. Jim was a member of the Marines, Air Force and National Guard. Curt is not a Vet, but his brother was in Vietnam and he knows the other guys and wanted to make the trip. Tim, Jim and Curt have never been to the Grand Canyon and so they are splitting off tomorrow and joining up with us in Los Angles on Monday night. The rest of us are heading to Utah, Arizona and Nevada.

RFTW 2008

Day 1 Kearney Nebraska. Met my guys in Albert Lea yesterday. Beautiful day for riding and temps started out in the 30's and by the time we got to Omaha it was 75. Sun burned and t-shirt weather. 60 miles out of Kearney we could see rain and sure enought 7 miles from Kearney it started to rain. Didn't bother to put rain suits on, just kept riding to knock the dust off. One Honda and six Harley's. The Honda gets terrible mileage and we have to stop every 120 miles for gas. Breaks the trip into nice little pieces and we get a chance to stretch our muscles. Next up Denver and the Rockies.