RFTW 2009 Day 6 Monroe LA to Meridian MS contd.

Before we get started got a great story. The Fuel Crew is traveling from Odessa TX to Weatherford TX and a trike throws up a big chunk of shredded tire and hits The General who is on his way down...at that moment Hoppy, our Fuel Team Leader, hits him in the saddle bag and actually knocks him back up and they both stayed upright and stopped. Some elevated pulses and one broken saddle bag and it was all good. Hoppy did the great ride through the ditch last year he,s got brass ones like only a Phantom pilot would.

Entering Mississippi is a highlight of the trip. As the main group crossed the Mississippi River a Vietnam era Cobra gunship popped up out of the trees and swooped over. The Cobra lead the group to Harley Davidson of Central MS campus. The whole group was greeted with a free tank of gas and a meal. There were also many dignitaries including Lt Gov of Mississippi and Two generals and three Medal of Honor recipients, Navajo Code Talkers and a Navy Band. On the grounds of the H-D dealer was an era Huey Slick and you could get a ten minute ride for $50 or $40 if you were a Vet. A CH-47 Chinook brought members of The Black Daggers, an Army skydiving team. It was announced that there were 650 bikes there and 6000 bottles of water were given out. The H-D dealer clears its floors to bring in tables and chairs to feed everyone.

The advance team left early to place a wreath and pay our respects at the grave of Sonny Montgomery, Army veteran and Congressman from Mississippi. He was responsible for many veteran related bills including the Modern GI Bill. we were escorted by MS State Troopers on motorcycles. It was hard riding with them as they tend to maintain legal speed and we like it at 80 mph.

I was in my hotel room unpacking when I could hear the whoop, whoop of a helicopter and I looked out my 3 rd floor window to see that Chinook at a couple hundred feet leading 650 motorcycles down I-20 into Meridian. That was followed by Korean era jet fighter and 3 prop driven aircraft. Meridian is a fabulous community and they go way out of their way to make you feel at home...they even give you a laundry bag and wash and dry you laundry and delivered at five in the morning.

1888 total miles so far.

Love you Scooter, Sceeter, Telly and DJ. Miss you also Josh and Jeanna. Especially Zoe and Hershey