Welcome to
Run For The Wall
Southern Route
May 24, 2010
Monroe, LA, to Meridian, MS
22 YEARS OF HONOR
Riding in Freedom for Those Who Can't
"Honoring All American Warriors"
Here are Ed Kain's photos and comments for Day Six.
Above are the FNGs for the day. On the right, Chris "Hot Lips" Hall with Jerry "Bookman" McNelly. Chris couldn't make the whole Run this year, but was able to be with us for a few days. The same was true of Polley "Biker Gal" Berry, below. It was good to see them both, even if it was only for a short while.
Fantastic law enforcement continues!
Below, left, Road-Guards-in-Training "graduate" half-way through the Run and now receive their second RG sleeve. Below, right, Dee "Short Stack" Barker, Lead Chase truck driver, tries to coax a Harley onto the trailer.
Above, the management of Platoon Six: Left to right, Chrome, Breeze, Shooter, and Lil' Bit. Above, right, Phil and Monica Stone on their bike. He is First Platoon, Assistant Leader. Below, left, "Okay, the starter button is here somewhere." Too Tall's sister rode with Preacher. Below, right, "All you see is bikes" preparing to leave Sam's Club for downtown Monroe where the memorial is located.
Above, Monroe Police and Sheriff support. Right, Mayor James Mayo addressed the riders. Below, veterans' organizations always turn out in Monroe to show us their support.
Right, Staff Sgt. O.B. Sims of the Louisiana National Guard gave an interesting speech. Below, Joe Platt represented the Barak Shriners. Below, center, Too Tall presented a RFTW appreciation plaque to the City of Monroe. Below, right, the RFTW Honor Guard presented the wreath at the Veterans' Memorial Park in downtown Monroe.
Above, left, is Eric "Gadget" Windmann who was able to join RFTW-SR for only a short time this year. Again, we appreciated seeing our special friend, even if only for awhile.
Honored guests abound at Harley-Davidson of Jackson. Above, center and right, Col. Herb Carter and Col. Leo Gray, both Tuskegee Airman in the WWII Air Force. Below, left to right: MOH recipient Major General James Livingston; Navajo Code Talker Bill Toledo, USMC (notice the Iwo Jima notation on his cap); and Navajo Code Talker Samuel Tso, USMC.
Above, left to right: Col. Charles McGee, Tuskegee Airman, WWII Air Force; MOH recipient Col. Bruce Crandall (from the Vietnam War); and the Navy Band.
Left, Mr. Albert Smith, Navajo Code Talker, USMC in WWII. Above, our own John King with the Navajo Code Talker delegation in Jackson. John fondly refers to these folks as his in-laws; his wife, Ela, is from the Navajo Nation. What an honor it is to be in the same room with these men, let alone have the privilege of visiting with them!
Left, Mrs. Ruby Lucas-Alexander is the widow of MOH recipient Jack Lucas, a favorite of RFTW-SR for many years. Jack passed away a couple of years ago, but we are so pleased to have Ruby stay in touch with us! Above, center, Lt. Governor of Mississippi, Phil Bryant, with MOH recipient, Col. Bruce Crandall. (Normally, either the Mississippi Governor, Haley Barbour, or his Lt. Governor attend; this year, we were honored to have both of these men present!) Above, right, is Don "Papa Bear" Stringer, RFTW's State Coordinator for Mississippi.
Below, left, Mike Payton, Director of Regional Sales Operations for Harley-Davidson/Buell. Below, center, is Col. James Megellas, the most decorated officer in the history of the 82nd Airborne. Below, right, is Col. Bruce Crandall being piped aboard during the traditional ceremony at Harley-Davidson of Jackson.
Above, left, MOH recipient Col. Van T. Barfoot. Col. Barfoot was in a conflict with a community organization because of the large American flag he was flying; he won...the flag is still flying! Above, center, is Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour. He gave a short, inspirational speech. Above, right, is Major General Freeman who introduced the Governor.
A Gold Star Mother, Mary Robinson, was in attendance. Her son, Staff Sgt. Christopher L. Robinson, was serving with the Mississippi Army National Guard's 2nd Battalion, 20th Special Forces Group, in Afghanistan when his Humvee came under enemy fire. He died on 3/25/06. One of Christopher's friends, Marcos "Mark" Rogers, served as a Captain in the same Special Forces unit with Chris. He spoke about Chris and sang a song about Chris for us. A link to the song that Mark sang during the Gold Star Family ceremony is: http://thaggard.org/. The story and song were very moving, to say the least. Below, center, Col. Bruce Crandall addressed us. He stated that he felt that what he did would be have been done by most people under the same circumstances, and that was how most MOH recipients felt. He "just did" what he had to do.... Below, right, is an award being given to Col. Barfoot.
Above, an award is presented to Col. Crandall. Right, Ray "Too Tall" McDowell addressed the group and gave awards. Below, left, he gave a RFTW appreciation plaque to Earl Rottmann, owner of Harley-Davidson of Jackson. Always one to be in the background, not many people really know that Earl is the "mover and shaker" behind this wonderful day and event we share. Below, right, an appreciation plaque is presented to the RFTW Mississippi State Coordinator, Don "Papa Bear" Stringer.
Below, left, an FNG presented Too Tall with more jelly beans...not sure of the full story here, but another camaraderie moment for our RFTW-SR family, for sure. Just looking at the middle photo of Too Tall verifies that! Below, right, the wonderful escort support we enjoy in Mississippi and Louisiana. No cars or trucks pass us as we travel through Mississippi. We know that the truckers and other travels must dislike it, but the riders are much safer.
Above, Karoni and Trish, the two daughters of MIAs who are with us this year, join others for a ride in the restored helicopter. Below, lift-off. Below, right, Lt. Col. Tim Moore took it upon himself to run a mop in the bathroom. He has been a true worker on this Run, even though it's his first.
Always a highlight of the RFTW-SR, the Trail of Honor set up behind Harley-Davidson of Jackson has expanded extensively! This display with re-enactors has a representation for every conflict the United States has experienced.
When the weather cooperates, HUGE crowds attend the Trail of Honor exhibits on the weekend before RFTW-SR comes through on Monday; Lucky Osborne, TOH organizer, wrote that this year's estimate was 35,000 visitors. The effort put forth by the re-enactors, especially in hot, humid weather, cannot be fully appreciated. It is something very special for the visitors which they do not see/experience anywhere else! What a privilege it is for RFTW to participate!
Above, Ft. Friendship was a part of the expansion. Above, right, Don "9-Ball" Morris and Jerry "Bookman" McNelly with a machine gun. The caption for 9-Ball might read, "All right, you FNGs...you do what I tell you or else!" Having the complete Moving Wall there was wonderful! Below, right, 9-Ball explained the emotional story of special soldiers he knew on The Wall to Senior Chaplain Gary "Shepherd" Burd.
Above, right, the grand finale at Harley-Davidson of Jackson occurred when the re-enactors provided a rousing Cavalry charge! It was noisy, smoky, dusty, and exciting! Thanks to the 1st Cavalry Horse Detachment from Fort Hood, Texas!
Below, left, local law enforcement again provided wonderful escort...very necessary at the time of day when we're traveling from Jackson to Meridian. Below, left, Meridian Mayor Cheri Barry addressed us and welcomed us to the city.
Below, Papa Bear also addressed the group at dinner as the Ag Center in Meridian. Below, right, Ken Storms, Meridian Chief Administration Officer for the prior administration, was given a plaque by his friends in memory of the work he had done for RFTW. Featured on the plaque was a photo of him on a motorcycle about 20 years ago.
Below, Steve "Hawgwash" Hill introduced the rider on the right in the photo. He is active duty, traveling with us, and is "E-9 selected," so he's ready to pin on the Master Gunnery Sgt. stripes.
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 Louisiana and Mississippi, a few of the supporters included:
The City of Monroe, Louisiana
Earl Rottmann, Harley-Davidson of Jackson, Mississippi
Governor Haley Barbour
Lt. Governor Phil Bryant
The G.V. "Sonny" Montgomery Foundation
The City of Meridian
The Red Cross
Ken Storms
RFTW State Coordinator for Louisiana, Mike Cappel
RFTW State Coordinator for Mississippi, Don "Papa Bear" Stringer
Assistant State Coordinator for Mississippi, Tony "Rotten" Compton
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Day 6, Monday, May 24, 2010
After a good night’s sleep it is off to Sam’s Club parking lot for a riders meeting and forming up of platoons for a ride to Veteran’s Memorial Park in downtown Monroe to become Honorary Residents of Monroe. The Mayor also read a proclamation stating that today was Run for the Wall Day. After brief speeches and a wreath laying ceremony, it was back on our bikes to head off to our next stop, the mid morning fuel stop and go in Tallulah, LA.
As always the hydration team was there making sure we all drank enough fluids. There was also fresh fruit available for people too. After gas, quick hydration and go, it was off to one of our favorite spots of Run for the Wall, Jackson Harley-Davidson in Jackson, Mississippi, where the Riders will spend nearly 5 hours having lunch, getting some bikes serviced, observing a huge Veterans’ ceremony and enjoying a stroll through the new and improved Trail of Honor, which Earl has expanded this year to include many more exhibits. For those that have never been to Jackson Harley-Davidson, you can stroll through the woods behind the dealership and see displays of every conflict the United States has fought in from the Revolutionary War up to and including the War on Terror. This year the Traveling Wall was also featured in the Vietnam era display. And a new exhibit, the Jack Lucas Memorial Chapel was there. Riders were treated to an aerial demonstration and escort by various helicopters to include a Huey and a Cobra.
A team of re-enactors put on equestrian display of the 1st CAV of the olden days complete with their mounts and their chuck wagon. They also demonstrated their fighting skills (from the back of the horse) with both pistols and sabers. RFTW riders were afforded the opportunity, for a nominal fee, to take rides in the Huey and the Cobra. The Black Daggers put on an aerial display as they jumped from several thousand feet up, displaying the National Flag and the POW/MIA flag.
A long-time Navy tradition is the quarterdeck ceremony where dignitaries and high-ranking personnel are piped aboard naval vessels. Jackson Harley-Davidson had a quarterdeck set up where the following dignitaries and military veterans were piped aboard: Mr. Clyde Hancock, Commander VFW Post 687; Ray “Too Tall” McDowell, Southern Route Coordinator; Mr. Albert Smith, WWII Navajo Code Talker; Col. Rodney Baker, Korean Conflict, Ex-POW; Col. Leo Gray, WWII Tuskegee Airman; Mr. Phillip Cascio, WWII Ex-POW; Mr. Earl Derrington, WWII Ex-POW; Mr. David Larsen, Vietnam Conflict Navy Cross Recipient; Ms. Irene Worthy, WWII Nurse; Col. Herb Carter, WWII Tuskegee Airman; Mr. Earl Hodge, WWII Ex-POW; Mr. Joseph Richard, WWII Pearl Harbor Survivor; Mr. Bill McCarthy, WWII Ex-POW; Col. Charles McGee, WWII Tuskegee Airman; Col. James “Maggie” Megellas, Most Decorated Officer in the History of the 82nd Airborne; Mr. Milton McMullen, WWII Ex-POW; Mr. Bill Toledo, WWII Navajo Code Talker; Col. John Rhemann, Vietnam Conflict Legion of Merit Recipient; Col. Dick Still, Korean War Ex-POW; Col. Tom McNish, Vietnam Conflict Ex-POW; Mr. Samuel Tso, WWII Navajo Code Talker; Col. Glenn Frazier, WWII Bataan Death March Survivor; Major General Bill Freeman, Adjutant General, Mississippi National Guard, United States Army; the Honorable Haley Barbour, Governor, State of Mississippi; Col. Bruce “Snake 6” Crandall, Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient, Vietnam War; Col. Van T. Barfoot, Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient, WWII; Major General James Livingston, Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient, Vietnam War. What an awesome opportunity to see and talk to some of the great legends of the Armed Forces. Many thanks to Governor Barbour for taking time out of his busy schedule to spend time with the Run for the Wall participants. We need more people of his caliber.
Year after year, we always say we never have enough time to see and do everything we want to in Jackson, Mississippi, but the schedule calls for us to reluctantly depart and head to Meridian, Mississippi for dinner.
Upon arrival at the Agri Pavilion, we were greeted by the citizens of Meridian who served us dinner and desserts that were worth killing for. In addition, there was a table heaped with personal care items that the riders could just pick and choose from to replenish what they may have already used on the run. We can always count on our friends from Meridian to go the extra mile in support of Run for the Wall. After dinner, the riders departed for their various hotels for the evening and a good night’s rest.
Personal Note: Hawgwash had a mechanical failure with the trailer he was towing, and he vowed that he would make it to Jackson Harley-Davidson if he had to drag the trailer on its frame throwing sparks down the highway. Arriving at Jackson Harley-Davidson, he contacted Tebo and his staff who immediately contacted a trailer repair facility who dispatched a mechanic to Jackson Harley-Davidson who came out and made all necessary repairs. It is because of this kind of service that we always receive when we enter Mississippi that Hawgwash was allowed to keep to his schedule and attend all events at the dealership without interruption. I don’t know how many people noticed the sign that welcomes you to Mississippi, but there is a phrase at the bottom of it that says, “It’s like coming home”. That is how I feel personally each time I come into the state to visit, whether it is for Run for the Wall or anytime I wander into the state to come in and visit Earl.
It has been nearly two years since we lost a dear friend of Run for the Wall, Southern Route, PFC Jack Lucas, Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient from the Battle of Iwo Jima. Jack was the youngest Marine in history to receive this award and the youngest American in the 20th Century to wear the Medal of Honor. In attendance was his widow, Ms. Ruby who was introduced to the riders and received a standing ovation. We would like to dedicate this leg of Run for the Wall 2010 to the memory of Jack Lucas, Marine…Hero…and friend to all.
Respectfully submitted by
Steve “Hawgwash” Hill
MSgt. USMC (Ret.)
Added 6/3 by Ed Kain - Below, Cajun and Gator model the latest in fashion so that they might be able to harass DQ Commando, Slammer, in Meridian.
