Hey Everybody,   I thought my veteran and biker friends might enjoy this.   Kind of long but I sent this to the 'Veteran's Corner', a web site maintained by a friend here locally after we returned home.  

I had the unique experience of riding with the RUN FOR THE WALL (RFTW) group starting the 22^nd of May when we joined the ride in Weatherford TX.   The group rides annually under the charter “Riding In Freedom For Those Who Can’t”.   They honor all veterans of all wars with special emphasis on POW and MIA.   Each morning names of KIA from our current war or recently recovered remains from Vietnam are read to the group in solemn reverence.   The run is an 11 day event that starts in California and ends at the Wall in DC.   The final two days include Arlington tours and other meaningful scheduled events.   The last day is spent with ceremonies at the VN Memorial after RFTW is joined by Rolling Thunder and other veteran motorcycle groups.

My wife, Shelley, and I rode with my brother-in-law and my sister (Roger & Michele).   Shelley and I rode with them in platoon formation for 1,000 miles as far as Tennessee, while Rog and Sis stayed for the duration.   Roger, like my oldest brother, was a Vietnam Vet who served 13 months in-country. He lost several friends; one in particular was killed while taking Roger’s place ‘walking point’ during his two weeks R&R.  His will be a name on the wall with special meaning for Rog.   My wife and my only regret:   She and I couldn't remain with our veteran brothers and sisters all the way to DC.

A bit about the ride itself:  Riders register as a FNG and wear the pin the first time they participate.  They are “Welcomed Home” by the old-timers with enthusiasm.  After registering we join one of the eight platoons who follow a Missing-Man-Formation formed up at the front.   The ride is challenging and care is taken to keep two-second-intervals between riders in order to maintain a very tight formation.   Hand signals are reviewed each morning and Road Guards harass stragglers who have trouble with intervals.   Platoons take up a good portion of a mile, so eight platoons are a long procession.   All veterans and even non-veterans are welcome, and a Chaplain contingent is present.   I personally saw one of these fine men swabbing the head at a gas station stop where the group had left a mess.  Not quite “washing of feet” but I thought it a touching example of true service-based-faith.

I want to tell everyone here, it was truly awesome to see old farmers standing alone in their fields at the edge of the interstate proudly and solemnly waving the flag. People congregated at the overpasses, waving and cheering, and flying their colors.  Even the unfairly scourged Rebel Battle Flag made a proud appearance.   Old men, some looking to be in their 80s, stood in the hot sun along the route holding a salute and standing, locked rigidly at attention for the six to ten minutes it took for 8 motorcycle platoons to pass. It made me so proud to see the best of America. But it made me a little sad too, thinking how Washington is failing our people.

There are those who believe and have said "when Fascism comes to America, it will come wrapped in the Flag and carrying a cross".   There is double irony in that bass-ackward assertion.   You see the first irony is that we launch our ride ever morning with a prayer and the pledge of allegiance.    Second irony for me is that I for one pledge my allegiance to country and flag and not the government; I understand the ‘state-planning’ nature of fascism and wonder every time I hear such dribble, “do people even realize that fascism is a creature of the left”?   It seems to me that state-planners concentrating federal power today neither love the flag nor read the Bible.

Anyway, thought I’d report on the awesome experience of riding with 700 vets, most of whom served in a combat zone, to honor the fallen and the too often forgotten.   At each stop there were presentations.   Several VFWs and a Harley Davidson dealership organized and funded meals for the entire group.  They’re organizations raised money and presented it to RFTW to help defer gas expenses.   Roads were blocked off, state motorcycle police units provided escorts (in Mississippi that included three choppers flying a loop formation across the entire state).   The governor of Mississippi addressed our group as did a Medal of Honor recipient Maj Bruce Crandall, who flew 22 missions into the valley of death in 1965, went through three helicopters, had three crew members killed and three more wounded and who is credited for saving more than 70 wounded vets; he is further credited by the commander-on-the-ground at la Drang Valley for helping to prevent the 7^th Calvary from being cut off and butchered to the last man.  These two dignitaries were joined by Navaho code-talkers and POWs from Korea and WWII, as well as highly decorated soldiers and Marines from current and past conflicts and even a WWII nurse.   Many came through the reception line supported on canes or walkers but stood tall to salute us in greeting.   We honored a local Special Forces hero recently killed in Afghanistan with a poem and song by close friend.   It was truly an honor to be with these people who did so much to honor the RFTW and their Mission of honoring Those Who Gave All.  We briefly and memorably met a small swath of Americans out there who made us all  proud on a Memorial Week like the one we just had the blessing to experience.

John Madden, Aka Sgt Dog

0311 USMC

1972-76    

I don' mind seeing some sights and a few towns on 2 but the 113-302 looks cool thanks.

I have not been to Acadia in years so am not familiar with that area. Route 2 is in good shape except for construction between Rumford and the NH border. We find that the problem with rte 2 is there are so many comunities that you just get up to speed then have to slow down for another town. If you travel rte 2 on your way to Lincoln NH there is a good windy road at Gilead ( Rte 113) that takes you to Fryberg Me. From there you can take Rte 302 to  Conway then Rte 16 to the Kancamangus Highway(Rte 112) which goes to Lincoln NH.I suggested a route from Morrisville to North Woodstock that you you could follow in the opposite direction. When you get to Rte 15 in Vermont turning right follows my route but left will take you to Burlington. You will miss Smugglers Notch though(Rte 108) which is a fovorite of ours. I would suggest that you spend some time in Adirondack Park NY. Tracy Road (Rte CR 6) and Rte CR 4 near Port Henry are very twisty and exciting!