Photo of the folks on Lake Havasu's overpass submitted by Judy Lacey on 5/28/08:
Photos submitted by Lee Aitken:
A view of the overpass on I-40 where Lake Havasu City, Arizona, folks lined up to greet us.
Above and below, celebrants waiting on the overpass for the CR Run to arrive
Judy Lacey at the I-40 overpass, organizing the celebrants
Local volunteers at Needles, CA
Lunch at Needles, CA
Relaxing at Needles, AZ
Resting after a hot ride to Needles, CA
The Central Route has new staging paddles with extensions for Platoon Leaders and Assistants to hold, helping with staging. Road Guards have new Glo Gloves which are highly visible. Information on the highly-visible Glo-Gloves which our Road Guards are using may be found at <www.gloglov.com>.
The following photos were taken by Lynne Fouraker:
Let no one doubt the the "AMA Moment" is read every morning. This was the first morning in Rancho Cucamonga, and the "AMA Moment" was read by Richard "Preacher" Moore from the Southern Route.
7/13 - Judy Lacey sent the photos below of RFTW 2008 beginning and of the BBQ in Williams.
May 14, 2008
Official Sit Reps - Day One - Ontario to Williams
We couldn't have had any nicer weather or better staging as we prepared to pull out for the 20th Anniversary of Run for the Wall. It was sunny and 62 degrees as we staged at our new location at the VictoriaGardens mall in Rancho Cucamonga. CMA provided a hot breakfast for us to eat while we bustled around seeing old friends, making new ones, getting registered and preparing to embark on yet another life changing trek to the Wall. As we pulled out and headed east, we had 299 total bikes headed for the Wall.
Lunch in Needles greeted us with a cool 92 degrees and our annual grilled hamburgers provided by many town supporters. We were also greeted with cool neck ties to help us make it through the rest of the desert. It cooled off quickly to a brisk 55 degrees as we made our way in to Williams with a very cold 29 expected when we wake up tomorrow. Another annual tradition of BBQ and awesome desserts provided by VVA 13 awaited us after we paraded through town as all the town came out to Welcome Home our vets.
Overall, it was a fantastic first day success as we tried out our new assigned colored platoons and helped our new FNG's (about 89 riders) develop an understanding of our riding formations while helping them experience the RFTW family phenomenon. We are grateful and blessed to have no accidents today and we intend to make that our trend as we continue on to DC.
Good night and God Bless!
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These are not the official Sit Reps, but David Talley is a rider and a trucker and has been sending his reports to us. They will help you get a feel for what is going on: "We left Rancho Cucamonga on time, 200 plus bikes headed south on I 15 to I10, and thirty minutes later 320 plus bikes headed north on I-15. Saw several Stevens Trucks headed west, and not one headed east, which means they have planned around us, thanks Bill, less trucks means less problems. When we fueled at Kingman AZ at the Petro trucks blew their air horns for us, and talked about the good work we are doing. We are at Williams AZ, and will start at 0800 local in the morning, We could have as many as 500 bikes tomorrow, but our numbers will thin out after we reach Gallup tomorrow, a lot of folks from New Mexico ride this leg, and most end up going all the way, so it is a good thing. Bounce (that is me0 and Krazy, my co partner in talking trucks through the pack will have more work to do tomorrow.. We are official, and I have to remember that my radio does not have the power to shut CB Rambo's down, and that I am on the worlds biggest party line. In short It is a mission, not a party, not a rally, not even a motorcycle ride, it is a mission for POW/MIA awareness, and to promote healing for Veterans of all Wars. Thanks for giving me the chance to do this again."
Dave "Bounce" Talley
Trk 1926
Miles today, 435, Hours 11, all on a bike.
