Welcome to
Run For The Wall
Southern Route
May 26, 2010
Chattanooga, TN, to Wytheville, VA
22 YEARS OF HONOR
Riding in Freedom for Those Who Can't
"Honoring All American Warriors"
The following photos were sent by Kevin Walls from Chattanooga, TN. He is Caretaker at the Silverdale Confederate Cemetery (he also works a 40-hour-per-week job elsewhere) and was very appreciative of the contributions which Run For The Wall riders made to help care for the cemetery.
The caption on the above photo was "ALL to years." Seeing the people included, it may be that he checked, and these folks had participated at least 10 years. Certainly, Wytheville, where we arrive this afternoon, is celebrating our Tenth year of mutual admiration. At right, Preacher saluting as part of the RFTW Honor Guard at Silverdale. Below and right, the Honor Guard presentation in the cemetery.
Below, left, Edwin "Wookie" Craft and Lynne Fouraker presented the RFTW donation (made from patch sales) to Jerry Wormsley. "The Chattanooga Area Relic & Historical Association are extremely appreciative of all that the riders in the RFTW-SR have done to help us be able to better care for the cemetery." ...Kevin Walls
Sometimes RFTW-SR riders may take for granted the morning prayer and Pledge of Allegiance. For our supporters, it's memorable that we begin the day with those moments.
Below are photos and commentary from RFTW-SR Route Photographer, Ed Kain. Below, left, is Chaplain Gary "Shepherd" Burd introducing two of our chaplains. The next three photos are the Class of May 25 FNGs.
Below, left, Edwin "Wookie" Craft and Lynne "Ticket Mama" Fouraker introduced Jerry Wormsley, representing The Chattanooga Area Relic & Historical Association. Since the 150 or so soldiers buried in Silverdale are "unknowns," they are essentially MIAs and are of concern to RFTW. Patches were sold, and a donation was made by RFTW riders to help care for the cemetery.
Right, Mayor Trent Crewe of Wytheville joined the riders this morning in Chattanooga. Below, Too Tall's morning riders' briefing and Slammer with Cajun getting ready to review the all-important hand signals.
Below, donations are made to RFTW to retrieve lost items.
The lady at right recovered her I-pod! Below, Too Small begs to have her camera case returned. Lots of fun...but, seriously, she is one of our best photographers on the Run! The annual "mission video" wouldn't be much without her photos (along with Ed's and Lynne's).
Yes, the riders in the group above have all participated every year since the Southern Route emerged from the Central Route 10 years ago. Left to right, front row: Della "Pockets" Morris, Shirley "Top Sarge" Scott, and Marty "$5 Marty" Gelbar. Left to right, back row: John "Ice Scout" King (RFTW BoD President this year), Don "9-Ball" Morris, John "Slammer" Gebhards, and Trent Crewe, Mayor of Wytheville. Below, the Honor Guard salute at the Silverdale Confederate Cemetery.
A rider, right, played Taps on his harmonica during the Honor Guard presentation. Below, left is RFTW's Tennessee State Coordinator, Clyde "The Rock" Luttrell.
Right, the volunteers who took care of us in Knoxville...many thanks!!
Knoxville is a favorite stop...coffee and Krispy Kremes at the TA Truck Stop is donated...and appreciated by those who get there before Slammer does! Sgt. Jessee and his men joined us at the Harley-Davidson in Bristol, VA. Right, Too Tall talks with Sgt. Jessee; these officers are so very important to our safe travels through Virginia. They come to help us "on their own dime," and they are so much appreciated!
Above, the four Virginia State Troopers with Dutch. Below, even though the line was long, it moved along rapidly with wonderful organization at Bristol Harley-Davidson. It was a very efficient set-up with loads of supporters!
Thank you, thank you to Bristol supporters!!! This stop was new last year and has proven to be so wonderful...and very much appreciated!
Right, the Volvo truck (one of the two trucks displayed annually) with graphics designed by the UAW Veterans' Committee. As usual, when the riders took at look, they were very impressed with the tributes shown in the graphics. Below, supporters under the tent in Wytheville.
Pocket and 9-Ball joined Gunny in carrying the ashes of Wes Schmelling. Mr. Schmelling was 80 last year when he passed away. He rode with RFTW in 2002-03; he made the request that some of his ashes be spread at several of the RFTW stops. Below, Matt Fisher joined Mayor Crewe; best wishes in your continuing military career, Matt...thank you for your service to our country!
Above, left, Rosa Lee Jude caught in a surprise moment; much of the credit for the organized welcome in Wytheville goes to Rosa Lee...many thanks!!! Mayor Trent Crewe, left, welcomed the riders; special patches celebrating this tenth anniversary stop in Wytheville were given out! They even opened a special exhibit in their museum. Below, left, Jerry Stone sang the Star Spangled Banner and another song, as well. Below, center, Mark Peterson, Chairman of the Veterans' Committee of the local UAW came to welcome RFTW again...no wonder we feel like a special part of Wytheville's family!
The whole town of Wytheville seemed to be in the park this afternoon! Too Tall presented a RFTW appreciation plaque to Mayor Trent Crewe and the City of Wytheville. Below, right, Slammer thanked Sgt. Jessee and his officers by giving them Road Guard hats.
The supporters above and below were at the Moose Lodge dinner. Below, $5 Marty doing what he does best!
Even the traditional cake was special The dinner at this Moose Lodge is always a real treat. Many, many thanks to all of you!!! Below, Too Tall presents a RFTW plaque of appreciation to lead cook and administrator of the Local Order of Moose, Lodge #394. Below, right, the distribution of awards for the Run also happens after this dinner...Chaplains were first.
Above, left, chase vehicle drivers. Above, right, the Advance Team includes both staging and fueling crews. Below, Squeaky presented the Advance Team Leader, Hoppy, with his own personal weapon...a gas nozzle...origins unknown. Below, right, Agitator was the Honor Guard Coordinator.
Above, Carol Olmstead was recognized as Merchandise Coordinator. Center, Jean Winn was Finance Coordinator. Right, Lead Photographer, Ed Kain.
Below, left, Gold Star Mother, Michelle P. thanked RFTW for giving her strength.
Center, Jerry McNelly received a rocker for being the Assistant Photographer. Right, the State Coordinators who were present...Bob "Zoom" Atwell (Virginia), Diann "Mojo" McKee (Central Texas), Glenn "Viper" Scott (West Texas), and Jerry McNelly (Arizona).
Center, Danica "Lil' Bit" Henzel with $5 Marty; both helped with fund raising. Below, Steve "Hawgwash" Hill, Sit-Rep writer with collaborator Holly "Shooter" Thomas.
Above, the Platoon Leaders, Assistant Platoon Leaders, and Tail Gunners. Below, left, Janice Wentworth received a plaque of appreciation and talked about the "Unofficial" RFTW Reunion in Kerrville to be held in September (click here for more information). Below, right, Too Tall presented Hoppy with a RFTW plaque of appreciation for his work as Advance Team Leader.
Above, Ray "Too Tall" McDowell presented a RFTW plaque of appreciation to Richard "Preacher" Moore, Assistant Route Coordinator. Right, a RFTW plaque of appreciation was presented to John "Slammer" Gebhards, Road Guard Captain.
Left, the Road Guard Team. Below, left, Roger "Cowboy" Mead presented new road names for Trish "Chatterbox" Burnett, one of the MIA daughters, and for Loren "Shade Tree" Gonzalez.
Above, left, Shirley "Top Sarge" Scott was recognized for leading the Registration Team. Above, right, Gene Adee received an additional rocker for being the Camping Coordinator. Right, Preacher presented a RFTW plaque of appreciation to Gary "Shepherd" Burd for being Lead Chaplain.
Run For The Wall wishes to express its deepest appreciation to ALL supporters, from those who provide support standing beside the road or on overpass bridges as we pass by to those who provide financial support. As always, it is impossible to know and thank all of the kind folks who help us as we cross the United States. In Tennessee and Virginia, a few of the supporters included:
Tennessee -
Thunder Creek Harley-Davidson, Chattanooga, TN
Rolling Thunder #2 TN (TN Valley Patriots)
Best Western Heritage, Chattanooga, TN
TA Truck Stop, Watt Rd., Knoxville
Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, Knoxville
Veterans of Steps House, Knoxville
U.S.C.A.V., Knoxville
RFTW State Coordinators for Tennessee, Clyde "Rock" Luttrell and
Gerri "Sassy" Tramel
Virginia -
Black Wolf Harley-Davidson, Bristol, VA
Town of Wytheville, VA
Local Order of Moose, Lodge #394, Wytheville, VA
SGT Dann Jessee 412, Virginia State Police
RFTW State Coordinator for Virginia, Bob "Zoom" Atwell
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Day 8, Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Good morning Run for the Wall, Day 8. After breakfast on their own, the riders met at Thunder Creek Harley-Davidson for the daily riders meeting and staging. Prior to starting the first leg of Day 8, the riders walked over to the Confederate Cemetery adjacent to the dealership, for a wreath laying ceremony. It is a fitting tribute that Run for the Wall recognizes those who fought for the South during the Civil War and paid them due honors as warriors also. There are 155 soldiers buried on the grounds adjacent to the dealership (they did not all die there, but from the surrounding hospitals in the area) and it was reported that 9 have been positively identified, a step in the right direction.
After the wreath laying ceremony, it was off to the TA Truck Stop in Knoxville, Tennessee, where we were greeted by the General Manager, Randy who is a 21 year veteran of the Marine Corps and now oversees the massive operation of that Truck Center. The riders were treated to donuts and coffee and the bikes were fueled and staged for the next leg. After a brief stop, it was off to Davy Crockett Truck Stop in Baileyton, Tennessee, for a very quick gas and go.
Once all the bikes were fueled and staged it was off to Black Wolf Harley Davidson in Bristol, Virginia. The riders were treated to lunch, drinks and some well deserved rest, compliments of the dealership. We even had some time to look at the new bikes in the showroom.
From there it was a short one hour ride to a favorite town along the Southern Route… Wytheville, Virginia where we were greeted by the many citizens in the community who turned out to watch Run for the Wall arrive. Under escort by the Virginia State Police (Sgt. Jessie and his team) the riders were lead to the Memorial Park for the afternoon ceremonies. For your information, Sgt. Jessie and his officers volunteered their time year after year to insure the riders have safe travel from state line to D.C.. Mayor Trent Crewe who is one of our faithful riders, addressed Run for the Wall and introduced the organizers from the community who put on the afternoon events. Several songs were sung by Jerry Stone, including the National Anthem and a song he co-wrote which really moved the crowd.
Several years ago, I had the pleasure of meeting Junior Long, of Wytheville, who spent over five years as a POW in Vietnam. Junior was a quiet type of guy, and very humble when he spoke. We learned today of Junior’s passing and along with the citizens of Wytheville, we will miss him dearly. There is a dedication on the United Auto Workers “Ride for Freedom” Volvo truck to Junior Long.
The United Auto Workers (UAW) dedicated their time and services to the “Ride for Freedom” Volvo truck in honor the POW/MIAs with full graphics with the magnificent Volvo truck decaled from top to bottom honoring the POW/MIA and our warriors who have paid the ultimate sacrifice. A special tribute to Junior Long was also on the truck.
Mark Peterson, of UAW, addressed the crowd with moving words of how the UAW and the town of Wytheville have bonded in support of Run for the Wall. Mark and his fellow auto workers will be taking the Volvo truck to Washington, D.C. to be a part of Rolling Thunder this coming Sunday. Mark’s entire address to Run for the Wall will be posted on the website within the next few days so that everyone who was not present can read the history of the Volvo truck, more information on the pictures represented on the truck and the dedication of the UAW in recognition of veterans and Run for the Wall.
Announcements were made for Day 9 events that will take place at the Memorial Park tomorrow morning and then under Police Escort the riders were lead to their Headquarters Hotels to register and prepare for dinner at the Moose Lodge.
Once arriving at the Moose Lodge, the riders were served either steak or chicken, salad, baked potatoes, and a magnificently sculpted cake honoring Run for the Wall. One decade ago, a lady named Laurie Clay, better known as “Airborne” approached the people of Wytheville inquiring if they would like to have a few motorcycles come by for a brief stop. Today Wytheville celebrates the 10th Anniversary of Run for the Wall coming to their community. And we were honored with a commemorative 10th Anniversary long-sleeved black T-shirt depicting motorcycles, ribbons, and the POW/MIA emblem. Sales were brisk, and soon many sizes were sold out. Mayor Trent Crewe promises many exciting things to come in the morning when the riders are greeted by the students of Spiller Elementary school and the morning activities. After dinner, our Route Coordinator “Too Tall” conducted the awards ceremony to recognize the many people that volunteered their time and services to make the Southern Route what it is today.
Many riders mingled at the Moose Lodge after the awards to talk to lodge members and other people of the community prior to departing to the various hotels for a good night’s sleep.
From past experience, we can vouch that Day 9 will be full of excitement and emotion for all those on the Southern Route and we are anxiously looking forward to seeing the students of Spiller once again. I hope each and every one of you realize that these children will be our legacy and that in years to come, they are the ones who will continue to carry the message. Wytheville is an exciting community to visit, it is full of patriotism… it is full of love and respect, not only for the veterans of their community, but for all veterans. People around the country should visit Wytheville to see first-hand how our veterans should be treated.
Editor’s. Note: FNGs Steve and Carolyn Keffer, had the misfortune of having a tire blow out on the jeep which they were towing behind their motor home. With the assistance of Mayor Trent Crewe, they were put in touch with Thompson Tire. Upon initial contact, they were told it would take 24 hours to get a tire of the proper size; when Caroline mentioned they were part of RFTW, the staff member said, “Call me back in one hour,” which they did. Thompson Tire made arrangements to have a tire delivered for installation on their Jeep. Many thanks to the staff of Thompson Tire for your assistance and getting our Run for the Wall four-wheeler back on the road in time to participate in the afternoon functions. The person who performed the miracle was James Ealey, the Store Manager. We are grateful that he worked so hard to be sure that the FNG’s were on the road again quickly. His photo is below.
Respectfully submitted by
Steve “Hawgwash” Hill
MSgt. USMC (Ret.)
