Run for the Wall

 

Is anyone on this site doing the "Run for the Wall"? My brother, who was shot down in a helicopter in Vietnam is doing the motercycle ride to Washington DC for the first time. He is posting photos each day on facebook.
He is on the Southern route. He started in Arizona on May 21 and I think they will be in Washington DC on May 29 or 30.
That is a long way to ride on a motercycle for anyone.

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Mary, Nuvi 2450, Garmin Viago, Honda Navigation, Nuvi 750 (gave to son)

Forgot to mention

I forgot to mention that he bought a Garmin for his motercycle to go on this trip. He has a TomTom for the car but got a Garmin for his bike.

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Mary, Nuvi 2450, Garmin Viago, Honda Navigation, Nuvi 750 (gave to son)

Run for the Wall

mgarledge,
Please keep us informed on his status during the ride, and if any photos are posted.
I wish him a safe ride and thank him for his service.

Thanks

Dave MP wrote:

mgarledge,
Please keep us informed on his status during the ride, and if any photos are posted.
I wish him a safe ride and thank him for his service.

Getting worried, he must be tired because he didn't post last night.
Maybe tonight.

--
Mary, Nuvi 2450, Garmin Viago, Honda Navigation, Nuvi 750 (gave to son)

Thanks for the information

mgarledge,

Thanks for the information about your brother and the RFTW. Here is the website if anyone is interested in reading more:http://www.rftw.org/index.asp?lg=1&w=pages&r=-1&pid=0

I will be following the event via the internet and website.

According to the website the southern route people are in Meridian, MS tonight and on to Chattanooga, TN tomorrow. All routes will be meeting up for Rolling Thunder XXIII Parade on May 30th.

I'll bet that will be something to see and to remember for your brother. I wish him a safe ride to the event and back home and honor him for his service and what he is doing to remember those who never made it home. Many thanks to you for posting, and for his proud service.

Godspeed to him and all the riders!

RFTW

Which route is he on?
The web site did not seem to have any "incidents" noted.
**did not read earlier post. He is on the Southern Route**

Rolling Thunder

Is a awe inspiring event to watch. The sound alone travel for miles aroun the area. I have watched parts of it near DC in the past.

Photos on Facebook

Just looked at my brother's web page on facebook and he posted photos. There were over 500 bikes in the group on Day 5. He didn't say how many were there now.
All is ok and he is doing fine.
He was very excited to be able to do the Rolling Thunder on Memoral Day. Would love to be there.
He does have memory problems due to scrapnel that can not be removed due to the location near his brain and would not be able to do this ride without his GPS.

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Mary, Nuvi 2450, Garmin Viago, Honda Navigation, Nuvi 750 (gave to son)

RFTW

Glad to hear that he is doing good and still rolling.

Wow

The ride sounds very cool. Good luck to him

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RKF (Brookeville, MD) Garmin Nuvi 660, 360 & Street Pilot

In Chattanooga

They were in Chattanooga last night he only posted 9 photos with no captions. He must be tired, but he's ok!

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Mary, Nuvi 2450, Garmin Viago, Honda Navigation, Nuvi 750 (gave to son)

Wytherville VA

Can't believe he has made it this far. He sure wanted to go. They asked him if he wanted to ride in the front to make it a little easier to ride.
The VA in Arizona told him not to make the trip but he chose to and is doing ok.
Day 8 was in Wytherville VA.

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Mary, Nuvi 2450, Garmin Viago, Honda Navigation, Nuvi 750 (gave to son)

Almost there!

Glad he is doing well

Run for the Wall in DC

My brother made it to DC. The vets will visit hospitals and other things then the main event "Rolling Thunder XXIII Parade on May 30th"
He was so excited to be doing this. Very glad he made it. Now to get him home. He is going to ride his motercycle back after all the events. I think he is riding back alone but not sure. I feel better when he is with a group. His GPS will be so valuable on the trip back.

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Mary, Nuvi 2450, Garmin Viago, Honda Navigation, Nuvi 750 (gave to son)

GOOD TO HEAR!

Glad he made it safely. Sounds like he will have a good time while his there.

Old friends and lost friends

He found an old Crew Chief he had not seen for 40 years on the run with him. They were happy to find each other.
He also found several names on the wall of men who served with him and were friends and never made it back. I believe he was there when they went down but not sure, he doesn't talk about it much. He is making rubbings of the names on the Wall of these friends.

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Mary, Nuvi 2450, Garmin Viago, Honda Navigation, Nuvi 750 (gave to son)

RFTW

Fox News just did a spot about Rolling Thunder

I have been to The Wall

four times in all. Each time has been more moving than the previous for me. I have never been to Rolling Thunder but can imagine it is quite a sight to see. I too have some rubbings from the wall and cherish the memory of those who are named there.
Glad to hear your brother is reconnecting with friends he knew from his time in country. The photos and the reminders of his pilgrimage will leave a lasting memory.
I hope the trip brings him healing and peace.

Caption under photo

This is the caption under one of my brother's photos yesterday. He is on his way to our house today, should be here by Wednesday.

"I saw this tank painting and noticed the Army unit. Talking to the owner, I learned he was WO Pete Nolen. He also had names from the wall painted on his bike. One name was Paul Nolen (no relation) but from his unit. I had traced their names off the wall the day before to bring home. Paul Nolen was one of the men that I tried to save in a terrible battle. I tried to get through heavy fire and thick trees to fly them out. We could not reach them but were able to bring in ammo and stop the battle. He and others died. I have always felt bad because they died and I received a medal for bringing more ammo. Date was April 14, 1971. Too many died that day"

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Mary, Nuvi 2450, Garmin Viago, Honda Navigation, Nuvi 750 (gave to son)

Rolling Thunder

Vegasbound wrote:

four times in all. Each time has been more moving than the previous for me. I have never been to Rolling Thunder but can imagine it is quite a sight to see. I too have some rubbings from the wall and cherish the memory of those who are named there.
Glad to hear your brother is reconnecting with friends he knew from his time in country. The photos and the reminders of his pilgrimage will leave a lasting memory.
I hope the trip brings him healing and peace.

I'm sure this will leave a lasting memory. I just hope the memories of the past are better. Two MoI daughters whoes fathers were shot down talked to him about his being shot down and wanted to know all about it because of their fathers. I hope it didnt' bring up too many old memories, he doesnt' talk about it much. Maybe it was good that he could.

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Mary, Nuvi 2450, Garmin Viago, Honda Navigation, Nuvi 750 (gave to son)

Thanks

Dave MP wrote:

Fox News just did a spot about Rolling Thunder

Will watch FOX and see if they re-run it.

--
Mary, Nuvi 2450, Garmin Viago, Honda Navigation, Nuvi 750 (gave to son)

Talking helps

The car club that my parents belong to had several members who were veterans. One, served in VN and would often have flashbacks. When he learned that I had joined the Army he would sit and talk with me for hours. His wife told my mom that since he started relating some of his experiences to me, his flashbacks became less frequent. For my part, I was glad to just be able to help, even if all I did was sit and listen.

Thanks

Dave MP wrote:

The car club that my parents belong to had several members who were veterans. One, served in VN and would often have flashbacks. When he learned that I had joined the Army he would sit and talk with me for hours. His wife told my mom that since he started relating some of his experiences to me, his flashbacks became less frequent. For my part, I was glad to just be able to help, even if all I did was sit and listen.

Thanks so much. Hope it helps my brother to talk about it also.

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Mary, Nuvi 2450, Garmin Viago, Honda Navigation, Nuvi 750 (gave to son)