Mission Accomplished!
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"?
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.
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,
andKorean 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"?
1 comment:
What an awesome trip you had! The memorials you visited are truly breathtaking, and I for one are proud of you for taking the trip and all of our service people for making it possible. Thank you!
Kim
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