I will never say I should have done or could have done. I will say I regret not doing something. I regret not planning and not going to RFTW 35. There is good news I now have a year to plan, and I am getting healthier every day, I am losing weight and I can save the money to go. In January I will be able to say whether I can go or not.
The days of the communications team are gone. The Run has found a better way to communicate with each other. The trucks for the most part no longer use the CB radio. This makes me sad, but truck drivers did this to themselves. The run itself has evolved. There are so many heroes from our South West Asia conflicts that need this, the Vietnam Vets and those like me from the Cold War are getting older. A lot of the Vietnam Vets are in their 80s. The idea of never allowing this country to treat our troops the way the troops coming home from Vietnam were treated is alive and well. When I see a proud Veteran from any war, or an active duty troop I always make it a point to thank them and welcome them home. Last month my wife and I were in a steak house, two Vietnam Vets walked into the resturant and ordered. I waited until they had been served then I told the waitress that I was buying their meal. I told her if they asked to tell them that a cold war Veteran appreciated their sacrafice. As I left I stopped at their table and thanked them and said "Welcome Home". They initially were taken aback, then they smiled and thanked me. I left happy knowing that I had done something good. The last time I did this I was still driving. That time there were 30 or so guard folks eating at a truck stop and they had when I thanked them for their service relayed that they were headed to Iraq. I told the waitress to bring their bill to me, it was a bit, but not that much. I paid it and told her to tell them a cold war vet apprecitated their service. I didn't do this to feel good, I did, but I did it because they deserved it.
If I plan to do the run again. There will be pictures and videos. My wife wants to go, but her health may not allow for that. I think I can get a leave of absence from my bill paying job. If not I will find a way. It will be nice to just ride and not worry about anything but the bike next to me and the bikw in front of me. I might go to Angel Fire for Labor Day. Depending on weather I might take Big Red, or Clyde if I can find a tuner for him.
Bounce is not back yet, but he has a plan
It is Memorial Day. I miss the Old Marine, and I am sure he would be encouraging me to ride. He loved the Run and the people that do it. So I may do it again. I will get back on the forum for the Run. There is no other group of folks that do anything like this. Gunny Gregory has stated that it was supposed to be a one time trip, but it just can't be. The mission is just too important. It means too much to too many. The riders, the supporters, the folks that can't ride, like my friend Chuck Gyureck. AKA The Shadow. He uses a walker, but he stood and held a flag this year at Rainelle WV. He sent me that story, I will request his permission to share it here.
Until the next time
Bounce is probably back
