RFTW - SR
Pre-Run
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
May 15-17, 2011
All photos below were submitted on May 18 by SR Photographer, Ed Kain. PLEASE contact the webmistress with any corrections of information, names, etc.
On May 15, above, MoJo and Crome comparing phones. Everyone had a wonderful time getting reacquainted! Usually, only the Leadership Team arrives this early to "meet and greet," as their meetings begin right away. For May 16, below, left, is the Support Vehicle Team; at right is part of the "Phoenix Contention" which had just arrived, including Jerry McNelly (part of the photography team) in the center.
Left, at the SR Road Guard briefing, Stoney presented Cajun with a photo of a previous "mess-up;" they'll keep RG Captain Cajun honest this year! Below, left, Sam and Ela were feeding others. SR registration began at right with Val on the left and Shirley on the right.
The registration line was long (as it usually is), but riders who preregistered online moved quickly by visiting the table on the right.
Left, Richard "Preacher" Moore checks something on his computer; there are usually some technical issues in these hotels with so many meetings. Above and below are photos from the briefing meeting for SR Road Guards and Platoon Leaders. Humor intermingles with very serious information and training.
Below are photos of registration crowds during the Pre-Run days. Below, right, Ela sorts through red, white, and blue beads.
Above, still newly-weds, Mojo and Wicked. Below, photos from May 17: the briefing for Advance Team by Preacher.
Right, SR Registration Team: Shirley "Top Sarge" Scott, Cheryl "Raven" Norman, and Val "Stitch" McClymonds. Below, the FNG group with Marty "$5 Dollars" and other team members for introductions. "Hard Charger" ran this meeting to help FNGs understand what to expect.
Below, Dwight "Dutch" Stevens and John "Wicked" McKee explained what the Road Guards do for riders and demonstrate the hand signals which "pass back" from rider to rider.
Right, Hard Charger displayed one of many fliers of MIA/POW/KIA which will be carried by the riders, and reiterated the RFTW Mission - why we ride. Below, many local organizations (including the local American Legion Riders Post 262) joined together to serve hamburgers, hot dogs, and other food to the riders. Ray "Too Tall" McDowell and Daryl "Top" Neal, RFTW Board of Directors members, helped dish up the food.
Above right, is Gary Douglas from AmVet Outreach, explaining what they do for veterans. Left, Michael Donahue came back to greet everyone and wish them well. He rode all the way on the SR last year in his "ride up and into" modified trike, but it's in the shop this year. Below, left, Dave Adams came to sign a couple of songs for the riders.
Above right, New Direction, a group of veterans now launching a singing career. Left, Daryl "Top" Neal helping hand out forks and napkins. Below, Harry "Attitude" Steelman, CR Coordinator, and his assistant handing out plaques of appreciation to some of the supporting groups in Rancho Cucamonga.
Below, representatives from DuPont which manufactures body armor spoke to us. Below, right, one of the CR Road Guards passing out Run For Them All patches. Run For Them All is a grant program which helps new veterans just back from the "sandbox" ride with RFTW.
Above, three of the four recipients of the Run For Them All grants . Right, Preacher presented a plaque to Shirley "Top Sarge" Scott in memory of her late husband (and our dear friend), Vance. Vance, a Road Guard on SR for many years, lost his long-time battle with a variety of cancers late last year.
