Run For The Wall nearing its destination

May 21, 12:48 PMMotorcycle ExaminerKen Bingenheimer

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Run For The Wall passing through Limon

The Run For The Wall is now nearing its destination. Denver-area riders Glenn and Cathy Buchholz have sent another update on their journey.

After I signed off the lobby computer with our last report 5/17/09 one of the Wall riders came to us and asked for some help. He had a bracelet that he found in a box purchased at a yard sale. It had a name on it of a vet that was missing in the Viet Nam conflict. He wanted me to see if he could look the man up. We had heard a speech at the memorial in Junction City from a lady Army officer who made a career of finding MIA soldiers. We found it for him on the internet and come to find out he was in a POW camp for several years and was now living in Virginia. He was ecstatic that he had found the man’s profile and would be able to get hold of him. We were in that lobby because our computer was down not by chance. We were able to help someone who was on the ride for the first time. We’ve seen him about every day since. God is so good.

5/18/09

We enjoyed a great breakfast fixed for us by the Army base out of a portable field kitchen and served by a couple local Christian Motorcyclists Association (CMA) chapters. Wonderful people all the way. We left Junction City Monday morning after the pledge and a prayer. It was a beautiful day with the sun shining on us. We rode into the toll, rode single file so they could get a count. ABATE of Kansas District 4 and area VFWs paid for the toll and our first fuel stop. The ride through Topeka, KS, was hairy but no mishaps for us or the pack. We also rode through Kansas City with no problems. That can always be dangerous. The Lord watched over us in a very special way this day. We had fuel paid for us at three of the four fuel stops we made, by ABATE and the VFWs.

We traveled over rolling green hills and past groves of trees that were very vibrant green most of the day. Beautiful country, perfect temperature, leather weather. We were served lunch in a park in Concordia, MO, by the Freedom of the Road Riders of MO. While eating the Army landed an Apache helicopter. Very impressive. One of our fuel crew spent his career working on them and others. Was very informative. We’ve been seeing that the people of the heartland are called that not only because it is the middle of America but also because they have such a big heart for the veterans.

We have ridden through beautiful green rolling hills all the way and have seen hundreds of people standing on the overpasses with flags waving their arms in appreciation for what we are doing. It seems this day there were more than ever. The support we receive from the people is tremendous and it is sometimes overwhelming what they want to do for us.

Tonight we are in Wentzville, MO, where the town came out in full force to greet us. After receiving another tank of free fuel we proceeded to the VFW on the hill where hundreds more people greeted us, including many boy scouts, cub scouts, and kids of all ages. These kids out here are growing up to be Americans!!! Their folks teach them that Freedom is not Free!!! We ate a wonderful roast beef dinner with all the trimmings including homemade pie and cake. Social time over meals has been wonderful with the various riders.

No accidents today; day six is complete. Every FNG we have talked with is having a beautiful ride and feels very well taken care of. Four more days to go.

5/19/09

We had another exceptional breakfast served by VFW on the hill. After the pledge and prayer we left in anticipation of the visit to Jefferson Barracks, the VA Hospital that serves the area. We got to meet and talk with some vets in the hospital and on the grounds of the hospital. They all commented on what good care they are receiving. They all seem to have a great attitude. Left there, after a good long visit, for Mt. Vernon for fuel and lunch. We had an unexpected surprise of free fuel paid for by some lady that we never found out who she was. Lunch there is one of my favorites as they serve cold frozen fruit. This time it was strawberry shortcake. They also always serve a roast pork sandwich. Lunch was furnished by the American Vets. We were entertained for the short time we were there by a rock and roll singer out of a semi-truck trailer.

We then headed to another fuel stop and from there to Corydon, IN. We all rode there in one big pack for 80 miles. Made us appreciate our small unit of 22 bikes that ride ahead of the pack. We arrived in Corydon to another town where the people and children lined the streets waving flags and clapping as we drove through.  We rode into the fairgrounds where the scouts had a free bike wash. By this time our bikes looked pretty bad. However, we didn't have time to take advantage of it. In Corydon they have a huge fish fry furnished by the Moose Lodge and American Legion, and other groups. CMA also helped.  All across the nation CMA has been there in support one way or another.

Day seven went well, 72 degrees, sunshine and no wind with beautiful scenery to view. Again we were provided with safety as we had no accidents, even though we had picked up 100 plus riders that had registered that day.

5/20/09

Another beautiful day. After relieving the road guards for their meeting, something we do every day, we had a pledge and a prayer and we left the great town of Corydon, IN. Corydon has some of the most beautiful old homes that we have seen so far. We left town and went directly to the V.A. Medical Center between Corydon and Waddy. There we were able to visit with a few patients in their beds and were even able to pray for one vet. The caretakers in this hospital really do care for these veterans in this hospital. From there we rode through the most beautiful hills and valleys we have seen so far to the Frankfort, KY, Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Our crew didn't have time to view the Memorial up close as we had to hit the road. In past years we have seen the Memorial and it is a large sun dial with names of missing in action soldiers, some of which they take off because they have been identified partly through the efforts of this run.

The rest of the day was mostly riding with the pack of over 300 riders. We did have one incident with a fuel crew member who had hit a chuck hole before lunch and stretched his kickstand spring. We were able to hook the spring in at a different place and made it work until he could get to a dealer. Oh, also another one of our crew members air cleaner blew off going down the highway at 70 mph, but didn't hit anybody. Praise the Lord. One of the riders in the pack also lost his money that he hadn't stashed securely all over the highway. It was blowing all around us as we were riding, but nobody could stop to pick it up. :^)

We rode into Hurricane, WV, up to the Valley Park Wave Pool Recreation Area where they served us spaghetti and meatballs, always very good. We are crashing early tonight. Looking forward to going to Rainelle Elementary School tomorrow.

Day 8 completed, no accidents. We, the fuel crew had a close call when a van pulled in between us and the pack and slowed down extremely fast. We almost piled into each other. The riders on this crew are amazing. Each one is very experienced and that is very comforting when riding as close as we do. We also are getting to know them more personally every day and they are sharing more and more of their personal lives. We are finding out that many people on this ride are Christians.