Run For The Wall XXIII
Southern Route
May 18-27, 2011
1/27/12 - The www.rftwsr-2012.us website is active now.
Check it out!
GOLD AWARD WINNER!
Voted Best Non-fiction History Book of 2011
by the Military History Writers Society of America.
Keeping the Promise
The Story of MIA Jerry Elliott, a Family Shattered by His Disappearance, and a Sister's 40-Year Search for the Truth
by Donna E. Elliott
9/25/11 - Message below was forwarded by John "Hard Charger" Barker from Shirley "Top Sarge"Scott. As John wrote, let's help out one of our RFTW angels!
"As most of you know I had cataract surgery on Monday, and Tuesday vision was 20/20. Friday I could see only light and shadows. Have seen 2 specialists ?? Infection in the eye has been sent to lab for culture, and I am on 7 different meds for the eye. Too early to tell if I will get vision back in my eye.
"I am scheduled to participate in the Relay for Life in Simi on Oct 15. If you would like to sponsor me please make checks payable to American Cancer Society and mail to 3521 Royal Simi Valley, CA 93063. I will be there to celebrate my being a survivor and to honor Vance's memory for his courageous battle (with or without my vision). Please forward on to others, as I lost address book when hacked. Thanks for all of the prayers. HUGS Shirley"
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9/27/11 - Did participants in Rolling Thunder's demonstration this year know that SSGT Tim Chambers had a broken wrist?! A RFTW jacket is in this video...thanks from all of us, whoever you were!!! See YouTube video.
7/15/11 - Download a FREE copy of The American Veterans and Servicemembers Survival Guide, courtesy of NVLSP.
http://www.lawyersservingwarriors.com/information_services.html
6/7/11 - I have just been contacted by Trooper Mike Bradley and asked that all cards for both Robbie and Matt be sent to VA State Police Headquarters, as he feels this will help show support for what they do for us each year, as there is a possibility that with budget cut-backs, we could lose our escort. This is a great way to show our appreciation and friendship to them.
Trooper Robbie Mason (son killed in motorcycle accident)
Virginia State Police
99 Keesling Ave.
Salem, VA 24153
Sgt. Matt Brannock*
Virginia State Police
99 Keesling Ave.
Salem, VA 24153
Matt is doing great. Let's fill this office with cards for our brothers.
God Bless!
Preacher
*Note received from Trent Crewe on 6/8 - "Matt Brannock was on TV this morning. He was shot in right thigh. He’s walking with one cane but seems to be ok. He said he expected a full recovery and to back to work soon."
Run For The Wall Mission Video and Flyer
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As the days on the RFTW pass, photos from each day will be added as quickly as possible to each page and will be linked below. We are extremely grateful to SR's Photographer, Ed "A-Ret" Kain. Other photographer's links/websites/blogs/Facebook pages are linked in the left column on this page. PLEASE contact the webmistress with any corrections in information, name spellings, etc.
Pre-Run - May 14-17 - Rancho Cucamonga, CA
Day One - May 18 - Rancho Cucamonga, CA to Tolleson, AZ
Day Two - May 19 -Tolleson, AZ to Las Cruces, NM
Day Three - May 20 - Las Cruces, NM to Odessa, TX
Day Four - May 21 - Odessa, TX to Grand Prairie, TX
(story about Luis Tijerina added on June 8)
Day Five - May 22 - Grand Prairie, TX to Monroe, LA
Day Six - May 23 - Monroe, LA to Meridian, MS
(photo of Black Daggers added on June 15)
May 23 - Trail of Honor at Jackson Harley-Davidson, MS
(photos added June 10)
Day Seven - May 24 - Meridian, MS to Chattanooga, TN
Day Eight - May 25 - Chattanooga, TN to Wytheville, VA
Day Nine - May 26 - Wytheville, VA to Roanoke, VA
Day Ten - May 27 - Roanoke, VA to Arlington, VA
(updated comments added June 6)
Day 11 - May 28 -Tomb of Unknowns in ANC and
Vietnam Veterans Memorial (The Wall)
(updated June 10 with photos of RFTW's wreath presentation
Arlington National Cemetery, RFTW group photos, and photos
of RFTW riders at The Vietnam Veterans Memorial)
Day 12 - May 29 - Rolling Thunder Demonstration
See group photo from Ed Kain below.
See www.rftw.org as your primary source for information and specifically for:
- RFTW Mission and History
- Latest News from the Southern Route Coordinator or from the RFTW President
- SR Itinerary (posted April 1)
- SR Route Coordinator - Richard "Preacher" Moore - contact information
- SR Assistant Route Coordinator - Gene "Flyboy" Adee - contact information
- State Cordinators and Points of Contact - contact information
- Registration ($20 in 2011) and Emergency Information Forms
- Runs to the Run
- Merchandise Store (sales to support RFTW)
SR Hotel & Camping Information
in .pdf format
Suggested Packing List in .pdf format
Southern Route Leadership List
(updated 4/30)
SR MAPS and information from Gene Adee:
(Posted 4.9 - These and gps routing maps
may be accessed directly at:
https://public.me.com/ecadee)
Southern Route map
Daily Turn Maps
Lane Numbering Designations
List of Blogs and Posting Spots by RFTW-SR 2011 riders:
For truckers - David "Bounce" Talley's blog covers
travel information for both CR and SR routes
Raven and Sapper's Facebook "Community" page
(Raven takes lots of photos, especially of FNGs)
Wytheville, VA, Mayor Trent Crewe riding "all the way"
this year:
Blog: http://mayoronmotorcycle.blogspot.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/mayor.crewe
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/mayormotorcycle
Website: http://www.MayorOnMotorcycle.com
Run For The Wall - Interest Group on Facebook
Run For The Wall - Cause Site on Facebook
2009 SR Route Coordinator Greg "Pied Piper" Smith's sites
for the first three days only (motorcycle and technology
challenges):
Website: http://www.myridetotheirwall.com
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/totheirwall
Photos (over 5,000) by "Flag Man" available after 6/15/2011
http://www.van-hecke.net/rftw
Click here for .pdf with specific directions for accessing photos.
Notes from RFTW-SR supporters
(updated 5/12/2011)
Central Route-specific site
Link about the Vietnam War's 50th Anniversary
Link to Angel Flight song story...very inspiring!
Link to Man in the Door by Michael Rierson...video and poem about helicopter rescues in VN
Link to "When The Lord Was Creating
Viet Nam Vets"
Link to Dave Adams' Coming Home
(50% of sales of this song from i-tunes goes to
Veterans Homeless Project)
The 2011 Southern Route Leadership Team, (below, left to right): Richard "Preacher" Moore, Coordinator; Gene "Flyboy" Adee, Assistant Coordinator; Dwayne "Cajun" Guidry, Road Guard Captain; (bottom row, left to right) David Hampton, Advance Team Leader; and Gary Burd, Chaplain Corps Leader
