Welcome to
Run For The Wall
Southern Route
May 19 - 28, 2010
22 YEARS OF HONOR
Riding in Freedom for Those Who Can't
"Honoring All American Warriors"
Your Southern Route Leadership in 2010:
Below, left, SR Route Coordinator Ray "Too Tall" McDowell.
Below, right, (left side) Richard "Preacher" Moore, Assistant Route Coordinator, and
(right side) Gary "Shepherd" Burd, Lead Chaplain.
Below, right, Steve "Hoppy" Hopkins is Advance Team Leader.
Roy McClymonds sent us the photos below which include many RFTW riders who participated in the AZ Stand Down (the second-largest held in the US, according to Don Morris) held February 4-7, 2010. It's great to see so many familiar faces!
Here's what Don Morris wrote to give us more information about what their AZ Stand Down does: "The term came from World War I or II. After a period of time on the front lines, they would bring a unit back to the rear for a couple of days and Stand them Down from the fight. The first StandDown for homeless Vets was started in San Diego many years ago. There are StandDowns across the United States. The one in Arizona has been going on for about 10 Years. We serviced close to 800 homeless Veterans this year including Medical, Dental, Courts, Motor Vehicle, Social Security, Veteran's Benefits, Housing, New clothing, Used clothing, Haircuts, hygene and several other non-profit support groups. Della and I got the RFTW Phoenix group involved about seven years ago. Della cuts hair and I supervise the new clothing. We have a very large turn out of RFTW volunteers."
RFTW-SR will be raising funds to support the Education Center At The Wall and the schools we visit during our ride across the USA this year. Information about the Education Center At The Wall has been received by Assistant Coordinator, Richard Moore. He represented RFTW while riding with the Patriot Guard into the Dallas/Ft. Worth National Cemetery on April 14. While participating in that ceremony to honor fallen soldiers, Preacher presented RFTW pins to Texas Governor Rick Perry (speaking below, left, and with Preacher below, right) and to each member of the Miller and Pinson families (represented below, middle).
If you're on Facebook, search for "Raven and Sapper." They are did a GREAT job in promptly uploading photos from SR with a few comments!
Senior Chaplain Gary "Shepherd" Burd kept a blog with photos. For several years, Gary and his mission churches have helped sponsor the Hydration Trailer. Click here to see his blog.
Stephen VanHecke - "Flag Man" - posted photos taken on Days 5 - 10 at http://www.van-hecke.net/rftw/. He is an excellent photographer and focuses on taking photos of LOTS of riders.
Karoni Forrester wrote a letter for the RFTW July newsletter. Click here for a .pdf copy. Her words about her experiences on RFTW-SR this year are priceless.
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7/1 - As soon as possible, those of you who know Shirley "Top Sarge" Scott (SR Registrar since the SR began) and her husband, Vance (long-time Road Guard until 2009) need to send encouragement and get-well cards to them. Vance has just had surgery, but his cancer has spread to other vital organs, and chemo will begin at the end of July. Shirley needs the hugs she gives so well, too. Their address: 3521 Royal Avenue, Simi Valley, CA 93063.
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Sad note from Preacher at 5:40 p.m. on June 16: I just received and phone call from Top Sgt. and she told me that Marty's wife, Gayle, had just passed away and that Marty was not sure as yet what they were going to do about a service. I will keep you all informed as I learn more. Marty's address is.
Marty McCook
239 South Center St.
Orange, Ca. 92866
Please Keep Marty in your Prayers
God Bless
Preacher
Received on June 17 - "My name is Brandon McCook. Gayle was my Mother. I live in North Platte Nebraska and was able to see all of ya'll on the southern route 6 years ago in Limon Colorado. I often talked to Mom and she always spoke about how much an extended family you were. As you know she lost her battle today and is now resting with our Lord Jesus. I am currently in Needles California on my way home to Nebraska. I was able to spend the last 4 days with her and she mentioned several times how she hated missing this years run. I just wanted to pass along a thank you to every one in your oganization for being there for her every year and keeping her safe. I also was able to see the Honor you gave Marty, my step-father. Thank you for allowing him to place the wreath. I wish I could name everyone she talked about but there are just too many good souls in the Run For The Wall organization. Please remember her, she was not only my Mom, but she was also my best friend. Thank
you! Bless you all and your mission!
Brandon McCook
3301 W. 2nd St. lot 45
North Platte NE 69101"
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6/4 - Thanks for your patience with the time it took to post all of these pages. There was no official photographer for the Washington, D.C. events, so we would appreciate riders sending photos of the wreath presentation at the Tomb of the Unknowns in Arlington National Cemetery, The Wall, the dinner at The Arlington Assembly of God, and Rolling Thunder. Send an e-mail.
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Click here to play the 2010 RFTW Mission video (9:30 min. - on YouTube).
Also of interest: The America We've Seen video (5:38 min. - on YouTube)
5/14/2010 - Below are photos from the Army John car which has been in car shows all over southern California. Carol Olmstead met the owner, and he sent her the photos.
