We had a great day today. Weather was good, police protected our ride all the way, and we rolled thru some beautiful countryside. Chattanooga was in the rear view mirrors as we set our sites on Virginia – Wytheville in particular. We stopped for donuts and coffee donated at the gas stop in Knoxville, then on to Baileyton, TN for one more gas stop. We laid a wreath in a cemetery in Chattanooga where 18 unidentified soldiers from the Civil War are buried. A private group deiced to reclaim the place a few years ago. RFTW sold a patch to help with that fundraising. In large part as a result of that effort the cemetery is now a pretty, well-kept place and about a dozen of the men have been identified. RFTW gave the group $700 today to continue their efforts to identify the others.
We saw many people on the overpasses and beside the route as we passed. It’s always impressive to encounter such support – and very much appreciated. In the Glade Spring, VA area we saw the damage caused by the recent tornado. But we also saw area fire departments with their large flags flying as we rode past. That they’d take time from their rebuilding to welcome us is especially touching. They continue in our prayers. As we got close to Wytheville the entire Run was greeted by a very large sign reading “Welcome Home Mayor Trent” on the last overpass before the exit. My minister, Brad Simpson, and an Eagle Scout, Doug Hogan, had arranged it. What a thrill! I appreciate it - but know I’ll hear about it from the Riders tomorrow. Several riders from Wytheville, including my son Tyler, met us in Bristol when we stopped at the Harley Dealer’s for lunch. He was allowed to ride in Platoon 1 back to Wytheville and reportedly did well. It’s not every day that a 19 year old would stop his activities to ride with a bunch of old folks like us. But he’s part of the family too.
I was moved up to ride in the leadership position for the last 66 miles into Wytheville. I had Misty Pack as my passenger. She was the employee at the Holiday Inn 11 years ago when VA Coordinator Laurie Clay stopped to see if RFTW could get a block of rooms to stay here. Had Misty not done as she so capably does, RFTW might not have ever been here. She moved away thereafter and has never seen The Run arrive. Today she did – from a position of honor! And thereby became a biker chick for one day. It was very nice. As we came off the Interstate and into Wytheville, I was amazed to see so many people out cheering and waiving. It was grand! We had a good crowd in the Park for our ceremony. There were the two lovely Volvo trucks – truly works of art! Special music, recognition of my father-in-law, Fred Hendrick, presentations by The Run, and a lot of hugging, tears, and joking as this wonderful place welcomed home some of its family that had been away a while. This is indeed a blessed place to live! We are truly blessed to have this marvelous bunch of real American Heroes stop here year after year.
Somehow the magicians at the Moose Lodge did it again and fed a steak dinner to somewhere near 600 people. There were the RFTW award presentations and the riders headed to the various motels, camp grounds and homes for a well-deserved night of rest. Tomorrow we ride to Montvale, VA, the D-Day Memorial in Bedford, VA, and back to the Salem VA Center for dinner. It’s hard to believe that on Friday we’ll reach DC and this adventure will end. It has truly changed me and I know it’ll be hard to tell the Run Family “See you later”. I can’t tell them goodbye.
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