Run For The Wall 2007 - Final Update

Mission Accomplished!

On Friday afternoon, the RFTW pack (over 1,000 motorcycles) rolled into our headquarters hotel in Arlington, Virginia. Friday night, some of us made a night run to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial ("The Wall"). I tried to get some pictures of this, but, this was the only one that I could get to turn out half-way decent.

On Saturday morning, we split into three groups: those going to Arlington National Cemetery, those going to the US Marine Memorial (Iwo Jima), and those sleeping-in late to recover from the long journey. I rode with the group that went to the Marine Memorial. What an awesome sight it was as we rounded the corner and rode up to it! Words cannot describe how huge it is!

While we were there, we got the opportunity to meet a gentleman that was an Iwo Jima survivor. How fascinating it was to listen to a first-hand account of the battle and the struggles they went through in fighting for freedom.

The setting is absolutely breathtaking! This is the view from the memorial towards DC. What a sight to look across the Potomac River and see the Washington Monument and US Capitol standing out as beacons of freedom!

On Saturday afternoon, RFTW assembled for our group picture on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial and our official visit to The Wall, thus completing our mission we set out on almost two weeks ago from California. This group picture shows only part of the group as we were beginning to assemble. From the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, we had this wonderful view of the World War II Memorial with the Washington Monument and US Capitol in the background. From the Lincoln Memorial, we walked over to The Wall and completed our final ceremony. The flag quilt is from one of the elementary schools that the Southern Route (I was on the Central Route) of RFTW visited on their way to DC. The back of the flag quilt is signed by the teachers and students at that school.

Many people leave tribute items at The Wall, as well as take time to remember lost friends and loved ones.

I also took the time to visit the World War I,
World War II, and
Korean War Memorials.

On Sunday, we participated in Rolling Thunder. This is where over 500,000 motorcycles parade through DC to remind everyone that we still have POWs and MIAs from current and previous wars. Rolling Thunder is staged in the Pentagon parking lot. The parade begins at noon and it takes over 3.5 hours for every motorcycle to traverse the parade route. Some people even bring their four-legged friends!


A great deal occurred over the weekend that I don't have time or room to record here. However, without a doubt, the most touching moment for me happened on Friday night when I made the night run to The Wall. I was trying to get a rubbing of one of the names on The Wall onto paper for a friend of mine. When, out of nowhere, a little girl knelt down beside me and said, "Here. Let me help you with that. I'll hold the paper." At that moment came the confluence of two major parts of my life; and, I thought, "No military person left behind! No child left behind!" If for no other reason, that moment made the whole trip worthwhile. I can't wait for next year.

Today's Essential Question: What is the design concept behind "The Wall"?

Run For The Wall - Update 4

Charleston to Rainelle

Once again, our day started early with our riders' meeting. We gathered in Hurricane and went to the West Virginia War Memorial at the State Capitol. Once at the War Memorial, we were greeted by Governor Joe Manchin. From there, we traveled to Rainelle School.


The stop at Rainelle School has been going on as long as the Run For The Wall (RFTW) has been occurring, nineteen years. The whole town turns out to welcome us there. We then park in front of the school and all the students have RFTW participants sign booklets they've made and t-shirts. The students get a real, living, first-hand history lesson. The parent volunteers then treat us to lunch followed by a school and community ceremony with all the town dignitaries present. Several presentations are made including a special one from RFTW. All the way across the country, the Run raises monies for Rainelle School. Over the years, the monies that RFTW has raised has purchased new playground equipment, library books, and additional student computers to name a few. This year RFTW raised over $22,000 for Rainelle School!

Tomorrow is the final day on the road as we arrive in DC.

Today's Essential Question: Why is it important to study history?

Run For The Wall - Update 3

Riding For Those Who Can't

On Wednesday morning, May 23, we continued with our mission of riding for those who can't (http://rftw.org/MissionStatement.htm). We had our morning riders' meeting complete with the reading of the remembrance for the MIA/KIA military personnel of the day, as well as the Pledge of Allegiance. The meeting was closed with prayer.


We then headed to the Louisville VA Hospital where we had the opportunity to visit with several of the patients and thank them for their service to our country. Also, I had the special privilege of visiting with one of the last World War I veterans, Robley Rex, who is 106 years old. This had extra meaning for me since my late grandfather served as a Marine during WWI. Less than ten WWI veterans (maybe fewer than that now) are still alive today.



After the Louisville VA, we visited the Kentucky Vietnam Memorial in Frankfort. This is a very awe inspiring memorial. It lists every Kentuckian killed during Vietnam with a sun dial in the middle. The tip sun dial's shadow actually covers the names of the individuals on the day and hour that they were killed in action.



From Frankfort, we traveled to Hurricane, West Virginia for our overnight stop. It sure was great to cross that border back into West Virginia, especially after all the nice comments I have received from the others on the ride about what a beautiful state we have. Of course, it's not surprising. After all, West Virginia is almost heaven!



Tomorrow it's on to the Capital and the WV War Memorial and then to Rainelle School.



Today's Essential Question: What is the origin of the sun dial and how does it work?

Run For The Wall - Update 2

Back in the Saddle Again!

As you can see, my old bike was loaded and ready to roll just prior to its ill-fated death in what shall be forever known as the MDI (Mohave Desert Incident).













Thank God a friend graciously loaned me another bike which we will call the PBB (Plan B Bike). It too looked proud as I headed out once again to join up with the Run For The Wall group.











It always feels good to be back in the saddle again! After a short jaunt across I-64, I arrived in Corydon, Indiana to meet the Central Route of the RFTW. One of the best parts about being a part of any multi-day group ride is the people you meet, like Don from Missouri.


After a short wait, the registration group and merchandise trailers arrived shortly ahead of the main pack. Finally, I was able to register!

Soon, the main pack arrived and everyone hit the chow line.

Speaking of chow, it sounds like a great essential question. For all you students out there, how did the word "chow" come about? If you know the answer, ask your teacher's permission to comment it to me.

Run For The Wall - Update 1

Down, But Not Out!

It is with great sadness that I have to let you know that about 3 hours short of my starting destination in California, my motorcycle's engine blew-up in the middle of the Mohave Desert.

Due to a combination of factors dealing with the bike's age, parts availability, and labor, it is not economically feasible to rebuild or try to replace the engine. Thus, I have buried my bike in the desert.

This has been a crushing blow to me personally. Losing such a fine, old, and loyal bike is like losing a fine, old, and loyal family dog. Plus, I will not get to participate in the start of my trip, nor will I be able to provide you with updates. However, far worse things could have happened, but thankfully did not. And, far worse things have happened to me in the past that I have overcome. I am currently working my way back to West Virginia in an overpriced (as is everything in the remote dessert) rental car with my gear and a few items that I was able to salvage off the bike.

Thus, for the short term, I will not be able to give a daily blog update as I had hoped. Yet, as the saying goes, I may be down, but I'm not out. A good friend of mine has graciously offered the use of a personal motorcycle that I will use for the latter part of Run For The Wall and I will be participating in the portion from Corydon/Louisville THROUGH West Virginia (as originally planned) and on to Washington, DC with the finale of riding in Rolling Thunder. Plus, at that time, I will do the daily blog updates as I had planned. This will occur beginning with Tuesday, May 22, 2007.

While waiting in the desert for almost two hours while a towing solution was worked out, I had the, shall we say, opportunity to observe the desert in detail. This led me to an interesting essential question for you students (and, you life-long learners, as well): What "creatures" inhabit the desert? And, as a follow-up, how do they survive? If you think you have the correct answers, submit them via a comment and we'll see what happens.

The Motorcyclist's New Year

Just as many people look forward to the start of a New Year and the hope that it brings, the motorcyclist has a New Year to look forward to as well. It just doesn't occur on January 1st. The motorcyclist's New Year begins in spring (unless you live in a nice, warm climate and can ride year round).

What makes the motorcyclist's New Year so special? Just as a new year brings new hope to one, so too, does a new spring bring new hope to a motorcyclist: the hope of more riding time, the hope of new roads to explore, the hope of new life after a dead winter. It's the opportunity to not just see nature in bloom, but to experience nature in its fullest as you are completely enveloped in the sights, sounds, and smells as you become one with nature riding down the road. Achieving this metamorphosis allows one the freedom to view all things in life from a new and fresh perspective. This perspective is one akin to the "road less traveled," and, for me, also, it has made all the difference.

So, you see, nothing is quite like the motorcyclist's New Year!

Welcome!

Welcome to the official blog of
The Motorcycle Muse!

From time to time, I’ll post my musings here for all (or none) to contemplate and respond to if they so desire. Life and its accompanying issues take on a whole new perspective when you traverse through it with your "knees in the breeze." My hope is that I'll be able to convey that perspective to you through this blog, and, in some small way, may aid you in your journey.

BTW, you might want to take a peek at my profile.