Thursday morning we awoke greeted by a brilliant sunrise and surrounded by beautiful hills and mist filled valleys. Grabbing our stuff, we loaded bikes, and made our way to the morning rider's meeting. The whole scene was quite an impressive sight, hundreds of motorcycles gathering in the staging area, riders, passengers, veterans, patriotic non vets, all together, all there to honor and recognize those that have served and purchased our precious freedom with their lives. The morning meeting recognized many that had worked extremely hard to make an event such as this possible, and to dispense the instructions and proceedings of the day.
The pledge of Allegiance, a chaplain's prayer, and it was time to saddle up. The whole process was well organized, the bikes had been staged in platoons and rolled out accordingly, getting us out and onto the road most efficiently. Soon we were thundering along toward Charleston, WV for a visit to the state capitol. There we were greeted by the Governor and others, all expressing their respect and appreciation for the purpose of Run for the Wall, and for those that have given so much for our nation. At that time the Governor decreed May 22, 2008, Run for the Wall Day in West Virginia. Following the presentations, another pledge of allegiance, reverence for the nations veterans and those who have died, followed by a solo bagpipe playing a truly touching rendition of Amazing Grace. Surely the enormous grace of God is poured out on those that have made such sacrifices. For sure there were very few dry eyes in the crowd. A gathering for group photo on the steps of the state capitol building, and again we were cranking up those bikes and making our way out onto the road again.
The next phase of our journey had us traveling east on US 60, a two lane road making its way through the mountains of West Virginia, through many small towns and villages that in some ways time may have passed by, the evidence of hard earned life being everywhere, in the buildings, the roads, vehicles and the faces of the people living there. Yet, they came out to greet us, waving their hands, some waving little American flags, occasionally you could read the lips of someone saying "thank you". In one small town, on older gentleman was standing out along the road, wearing his WWII helmet, holding a large pole, displaying a large American flag. Sometimes the hardest part of the ride was driving the bike with tears in the eyes. School children would be out along the fences waving their little hands and flags. The evidence of the love of Americans for there country was never more explicit. Much of the road ran a long the river adding more to the splendor of the setting. Ultimately we arrived at our destination, Rainelle WV. It seems the entire town had taken the day off to come greet us. They lined the streets, spilling out onto the street, barely leaving enough room to make our way through. We rode side by side in parade formation through the entire town, turned around and back to the school. The school yard was filled with children, all ages, all grades, greeting us, cheering us. We had barely got our kickstands down when surrounded by them, wanting autographs in their little books or on shirts. The riders were being swarmed, and the riders loved it. Many a hardened old vet was down on his knees, meeting the kids on their level. The electricity of the connection between them was overpowering. Eventually we made our way into the school lunchroom where they fed us with an unbelievable amount of food, all paid for by donations and fund raising by the children, nothing from the school budget. Shortly thereafter was a ceremony, more recognition of individuals working hard to make such an event possible, concluded by a cash gift from Run for the Wall to the school for a little over $20,000. All made possible by donations of the participants of the ride and 50/50 ticket sales. With our hearts overwhelmed by the kindness, appreciation and genuine hospitality of the children and people of Rainelle, we gathered up ourselves and made our way back to the bikes for the ride on into Virginia with a stop in Waynesboro for food and a night's rest.
This day was truly an incredible, experiencing such an outpouring of respect between people for each other and their country. All in the setting of the beautiful mountains of West Virginia, a masterpiece of God's own handiwork
The pledge of Allegiance, a chaplain's prayer, and it was time to saddle up. The whole process was well organized, the bikes had been staged in platoons and rolled out accordingly, getting us out and onto the road most efficiently. Soon we were thundering along toward Charleston, WV for a visit to the state capitol. There we were greeted by the Governor and others, all expressing their respect and appreciation for the purpose of Run for the Wall, and for those that have given so much for our nation. At that time the Governor decreed May 22, 2008, Run for the Wall Day in West Virginia. Following the presentations, another pledge of allegiance, reverence for the nations veterans and those who have died, followed by a solo bagpipe playing a truly touching rendition of Amazing Grace. Surely the enormous grace of God is poured out on those that have made such sacrifices. For sure there were very few dry eyes in the crowd. A gathering for group photo on the steps of the state capitol building, and again we were cranking up those bikes and making our way out onto the road again.
The next phase of our journey had us traveling east on US 60, a two lane road making its way through the mountains of West Virginia, through many small towns and villages that in some ways time may have passed by, the evidence of hard earned life being everywhere, in the buildings, the roads, vehicles and the faces of the people living there. Yet, they came out to greet us, waving their hands, some waving little American flags, occasionally you could read the lips of someone saying "thank you". In one small town, on older gentleman was standing out along the road, wearing his WWII helmet, holding a large pole, displaying a large American flag. Sometimes the hardest part of the ride was driving the bike with tears in the eyes. School children would be out along the fences waving their little hands and flags. The evidence of the love of Americans for there country was never more explicit. Much of the road ran a long the river adding more to the splendor of the setting. Ultimately we arrived at our destination, Rainelle WV. It seems the entire town had taken the day off to come greet us. They lined the streets, spilling out onto the street, barely leaving enough room to make our way through. We rode side by side in parade formation through the entire town, turned around and back to the school. The school yard was filled with children, all ages, all grades, greeting us, cheering us. We had barely got our kickstands down when surrounded by them, wanting autographs in their little books or on shirts. The riders were being swarmed, and the riders loved it. Many a hardened old vet was down on his knees, meeting the kids on their level. The electricity of the connection between them was overpowering. Eventually we made our way into the school lunchroom where they fed us with an unbelievable amount of food, all paid for by donations and fund raising by the children, nothing from the school budget. Shortly thereafter was a ceremony, more recognition of individuals working hard to make such an event possible, concluded by a cash gift from Run for the Wall to the school for a little over $20,000. All made possible by donations of the participants of the ride and 50/50 ticket sales. With our hearts overwhelmed by the kindness, appreciation and genuine hospitality of the children and people of Rainelle, we gathered up ourselves and made our way back to the bikes for the ride on into Virginia with a stop in Waynesboro for food and a night's rest.
This day was truly an incredible, experiencing such an outpouring of respect between people for each other and their country. All in the setting of the beautiful mountains of West Virginia, a masterpiece of God's own handiwork
4 comments:
Awesome!!!!! It can understand that it is hard to ride your bike with tearsin your eyes....it is just as hard to read your blog with the tears in my eyes. Thanks for making me stop my busy day and reflect on what has been given by so many. We love you Mom and Dad.
Thanks for making us a part of the trip from afar. What a beautiful story! My husband (Dave Lee) is riding with you this year. Please give him my love. Have a safe and wonderful day!
Mary Anne
Thanks for making us a part of the ride from afar. What a beautiful story! I know that this will be something you will never forget. Please give my love to my husband Dave Lee and have a safe and wonderful day!
Mary Anne
Truly a ride that sparks the inner emotion of every red blooded American. I could feel the patriotism rising in my heart and are thankful every day that I live in a land where there is opportunity for everyone regardless of race ,color or religion. It is there if you have the courage to take it.
I spent 18 years growing overseas in foreign places like Turkey,Bahrain,Iceland,Germany and the Azores. We were always thankful for our military brothers and sisters. We always felt as secure as we would have in the US. As a 9 year we had the opportunity to visit the beaches of Normandy and hear the story. That has left a lasting impression me until I die.
Thanks for sharing your story, This is a must ride in every riders lifetime.
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