For those of you who follow this blog you know who the Old Marine is. He is my Step Father, and Dad. This morning I was told that he passed on. He did not suffer, he was getting ready to drive himself to Dialysis treatment at the Zablocki VA hospital in Milwaukee. When he was late the nurse called my Brother, because Dad was never late for these treatments. My Brother Andy said that when he got to Dad's it looked like he had gotten dressed then just laid back on his bed and went back to sleep.
The Old Marine was 79, he is survived by four kids, 8 grand kids, and 7 great grand kids. Funeral arrangements are being made, and I will post them here as soon as I can. I have not cleared this with my youngest siblings yet, but I think that instead of flowers if you would make a donation in the Old Marine's name to either the Wounded Warrior Project, or Run For the Wall, he would like that. He used to insist that I call him everyday from the Run when he was not on it, and he also enjoyed all the pictures of all his friends.
I have requested that the Wisconsin Patriot Guard attend his funeral, but I am waiting for a response from their ride captain. I think he will be buried in East Troy Wisconsin, but do not have those details.
The last time I saw him was up north, and he was doing good. He had lost a lot of weight, but he was happy. The last time I talked to him on the phone he was doing fine. Tired and old, but happy that he was getting the siding completed on the family cottage.
He participated in Run For The Wall in 2005, went from Wentzville to D.C., then again in 2006, and 2007 and 2008. He has done the entire central route twice in those 4 trips, and participated in Rolling Thunder in 2005. He also rode on my Brothers Bob, Shoreparty, Talley's bike into Arlington, once with the Run,then again to attend a funeral for a friend of ours wife.
He has only been gone a few hours, but I will miss him forever. As I got older he got smarter. He was the one that encouraged me to do the first Run that I did. My Brother told me that I should, my Dad told me that I had better or he would break a Marine Boot off in my but. Every year in January he would ask if I was making arrangements to go. In 2006 for Christmas we gave him a vest with the Run For the Wall patches on it. He lit up like I have never seen him when he opened that box up.
I will carry that vest with me on the Run this year. I may keep it, or I may leave it at the wall for him. If I do that I will leave it at the Korean War Memorial.
I was 50 years old when he finally told me what he did in the Marines. We were at a Mexican Restaurant in Arlington, VA with about 9 or ten folks from the Run, when one of them asked him what he did in the Marines.
He laughed and then he told us the story. I am going to repeat it as I remember it here:
I was a 60 MM mortar crewman. We would dig pits from one end of our camp to the other, in all compass directions. Then if the camp were to get over run the team's job was to stop them. There were 9 guys on the team, 3 per Mortar, one to carry the tube, one to carry the plate, and one to carry the ammo. Our pits were lined up 20 yards apart, with fall back pits starting at 100 yards from them third pit. We would drop a round, grab everything and run like hell to the next pit. we would set up and drop a round as the next two teams passed us. (I then asked what the maximum effective range of that mortar was) He pointed at a Hotel about 150 yards away and said it would hit about that far out. (I was amazed, and when I told him that was rifle range, or less he answered) Yeah well we were for emergencies and getting over run only, we just hoped that never happened. When someone asked him how he got that job he laughed hard and said, I was the fastest at the 100 yard dash in my platoon, so I guess I volunteered for it.
My Dad and I did not always get along, but he loved me and I loved him. I have bad memories of him, but I also have great memories of him. I remember the time he forced my Brother Bob onto the back of a Harley, and when the got back he had to force him off it. I remember him taking us water skiing when we were kids, and fishing, on the one time I went deer hunting I went with him. He was not always a great guy, but I choose to remember the great times. I am thankful that he did not suffer, and I am glad that he was in my life.
Dave Talley
Friday, September 19, 2014
Thursday, May 29, 2014
Today I get on a plane back to Dallas and work
My wonderful vacation is over. I met thousands of very nice folks this year. I also saw some wonderful things. Lots of monuments, and an excellent representation of our future. Every parade we did had children holding flags, and waving signs at us. This was great. The people that we see are never on the news, they are too patriotic for that. The news is not interested in the good side of America, only the bad. This saddens me. When we rode into the Capitol at West Virginia there were thousands there to greet us. The Governor proclaimed it Run For The Wall Day in West Virginia. Our purpose is to demand an accounting of all those left behind, and to promote healing among veterans of all wars. This year I did a lot of healing. The leadership of the Run this year was great, and not just because I was a part of it.
This is part of a statue in the Westphall Museum in Angel Fire New Mexico. By riding across country as we do we make sure that that those left behind are never forgotten.
We had lots of support from local and state police departments. This picture was taken in Holbrook, New Mexico, just before it was time to roll to Gallup. Riding under escort is easier, and the trucks that are caught behind us were appreciative mostly that they were only delayed a few minutes, instead of hours that they could be if a car were to hit a motorcycle. The car drivers will often try to video us and get the next viral you tube video. Not the safest thing in the world. Worse is the occasional truck driver who will try to do the same thing.
6834 miles on a motorcycle, but it is not a Party, it is not a Rally, it is a mission and like any other mission you do not have to like it you just have to do it.
Anyone who wants to know more, please comment. I moderate them, but I do post them too.
Bounce
6834 miles on a motorcycle, but it is not a Party, it is not a Rally, it is a mission and like any other mission you do not have to like it you just have to do it.
Anyone who wants to know more, please comment. I moderate them, but I do post them too.
Bounce
Monday, May 26, 2014
A Poem by the Shadow
Before I post this I want to mention that the Shadow is a friend of mine, and a great man. I love his poetry and this one will make you tear up.
By The Shadow
I heard you were coming, coming to Hurricane, West Virginia on your way to the Wall. I came out and I
wandered around the park, watching as the preparations were being made. I heard a familiar noise and looked
up to see an old Huey coming in for a landing in the parking lot. I moved closer, looking and remembering. I
listened to the small talk and heard someone say,---they are at the state line and coming fast.
The Huey sprang to life and I watched as it lifted into the air. I wondered where it was going, and I heard them
say, they are going out to meet the pack and lead them in. I was surprised at this and I began to get excited
along with everyone else there. Soon we heard the chop-chop-chop of the blades and she once again landed in
the parking lot. Someone was calling out the miles, 10--5--1 mile out and when the group turned off at the exit and headed into
the park I made my way to a place where I could see them pass by.
I stood there and saluted you, each and every one of you as you passed by. I looked into your faces and saw the
miles and hours in the saddle. You looked great. And I smiled to myself and thought, I am proud, so proud.!!
That all of you would do this--ride to remember those who have served and those who have paid the ultimate price.
I was there in the dining hall as you gathered to break bread and satisfy a well-deserved hunger. I stopped at
your table and listened to the small talk—the chuckles and the tears. I walked with you as you ate ice cream
cones, with it melting and dripping on your chins and beards. And I walked with you as you headed for your
tents and campers to lay the day’s exhaustion down.
As it got dark I listened to the night sounds creeping in, and stood watch over you as you slept through the
night. And as morning drew near I listened as you stirred, waking, stretching, softly cursing the stiffness you
tried to overcome.
Someone calls out—is there coffee yet? And there is the scent of hot coffee drifting through the morning air. I
remember the taste of hot coffee in the mornings. Ahhhh—it’d be wonderful to share a cup with you. but I shall
be content to stand close by as you pack and repack your gear, for today the much-anticipated ride to Rainelle
and the children is about to start. Oh how I wish I could go with you , but I must remain here. I cannot leave.
I hear the bikes begin to rumble as platoons and lines form. Last-minute instructions go out and I see everyone’s
anticipation building. Again I move to a spot where I can watch you leave and when the signal is given, the sea of
bikes begins moving as one. Again I look into your faces and I come to attention and salute you, each and every one of you, as you pass by.
As a tear rolls off my cheek, I say thank you—thank you for remembering me! I watch you in the distance, riding out of sight, and I feel my chest swell and again I am proud … so proud of you all.
Shadow I am proud of you, you endured pain, and you slept in a tent half the size you needed from Wentzville, MO to Rainelle, WV. You participated in the greatest mission ever, and you support that mission every day in every way. You are a great American. And you ride proud my friend.
------------I AM PROUD
this i wrote in the third person--an observation of what went on in hurricane ,wv on last years RFTW..as follows------------I AM PROUD
By The Shadow
I heard you were coming, coming to Hurricane, West Virginia on your way to the Wall. I came out and I
wandered around the park, watching as the preparations were being made. I heard a familiar noise and looked
up to see an old Huey coming in for a landing in the parking lot. I moved closer, looking and remembering. I
listened to the small talk and heard someone say,---they are at the state line and coming fast.
The Huey sprang to life and I watched as it lifted into the air. I wondered where it was going, and I heard them
say, they are going out to meet the pack and lead them in. I was surprised at this and I began to get excited
along with everyone else there. Soon we heard the chop-chop-chop of the blades and she once again landed in
the parking lot. Someone was calling out the miles, 10--5--1 mile out and when the group turned off at the exit and headed into
the park I made my way to a place where I could see them pass by.
I stood there and saluted you, each and every one of you as you passed by. I looked into your faces and saw the
miles and hours in the saddle. You looked great. And I smiled to myself and thought, I am proud, so proud.!!
That all of you would do this--ride to remember those who have served and those who have paid the ultimate price.
I was there in the dining hall as you gathered to break bread and satisfy a well-deserved hunger. I stopped at
your table and listened to the small talk—the chuckles and the tears. I walked with you as you ate ice cream
cones, with it melting and dripping on your chins and beards. And I walked with you as you headed for your
tents and campers to lay the day’s exhaustion down.
As it got dark I listened to the night sounds creeping in, and stood watch over you as you slept through the
night. And as morning drew near I listened as you stirred, waking, stretching, softly cursing the stiffness you
tried to overcome.
Someone calls out—is there coffee yet? And there is the scent of hot coffee drifting through the morning air. I
remember the taste of hot coffee in the mornings. Ahhhh—it’d be wonderful to share a cup with you. but I shall
be content to stand close by as you pack and repack your gear, for today the much-anticipated ride to Rainelle
and the children is about to start. Oh how I wish I could go with you , but I must remain here. I cannot leave.
I hear the bikes begin to rumble as platoons and lines form. Last-minute instructions go out and I see everyone’s
anticipation building. Again I move to a spot where I can watch you leave and when the signal is given, the sea of
bikes begins moving as one. Again I look into your faces and I come to attention and salute you, each and every one of you, as you pass by.
As a tear rolls off my cheek, I say thank you—thank you for remembering me! I watch you in the distance, riding out of sight, and I feel my chest swell and again I am proud … so proud of you all.
Shadow I am proud of you, you endured pain, and you slept in a tent half the size you needed from Wentzville, MO to Rainelle, WV. You participated in the greatest mission ever, and you support that mission every day in every way. You are a great American. And you ride proud my friend.
Run for the Wall Central Route 2014 BOUNCE Video
This is the video I took at exit 24 outside the OOIDA offices. Watch the time between bikes and platoons, it is impressive. About half the riders in the group had never done this before. The pack was riding very tight.
Mission Complete, almost home
I am 135 miles from home. I delivered my remembrance and the flag the the staff at OOIDA signed. I also left my POW bracelet for Bo there too. There were a lot of those there.
Our mission is simple, we demand that the Government follow through and bring the Missing In Action, and KIA home. We know where most of the remains from Vietnam are, we just can't afford to go there and get them. Paying Congress is more important. If this were a political blog, I would start ranting now, but it is not.
One Truck Driver told me over the radio that we should not be on his road. My answer to him was simple.
I said "Driver if you do not want these motorcycles out here, disrupting your day, sit down and write your Congressman, and State Senators a letter demanding that the 132,000 left behind since WWI be returned. When they all come home we won't have to do this." He responded that we were doing nothing.
Not exactly true, 26 years ago there were no POW/MIA flags, now they fly on fifty Capital Buildings, and at our Embassies around the world, and at our bases too. The Honor and Remember Flag also flies at some State Capitals, and that is directly attributable to Run For the Wall, and Rolling Thunder.
Yes Congress leaves town before we arrive, but they watch the news reports. They listen. We all write them letters, and they respond. Their responses are extremely lame, but they are hearing us.
This year I dedicated my ride to Bo, and the Marine that is being held in Mexico, and to the memory of Chuck Huskey. I also rode for Lt Badly
Me at the Wall placing Lt Badly's memory and the Flag I received at OOIDA. Lt Badly's name is on panel
46E, line 43/
These are shipmates of a friend. He and I are of different generations, but we get it. Cheetos is a Vietnam Vet, and like all that generation he is great and a hero to me. He said something that struck me as profound. The Korean Vets, and the WWII Vets ignored what happened to the Vietnam Vets. There is a bumper sticker and a patch that reads "Never again will one generation of Veterans turn their backs on another generation of Veterans. That is the reason that our military today can proudly wear their Uniforms wherever they go/
This is me and Cheetos, also known as Kenneth Neufeld, He is a great guy and a good friend. I did ask if he was wanted anywhere before posting the picture. He said only at home by his wife. We stopped a priest and the young man he was talking to and asked them to take the photo. Then we hugged, and went in opposite directions.
Friday, May 23, 2014
Day 10 complete mission almost complete
Well it has been an amazing run. It is hard to believe that 10 days ago I left Los Angeles with 300 other bikers in front of me. We went through a lot of great small towns. We were greeted by some really patriotic people, saluted, waved at, and hugged, by thousands.
The mission is to demand an accounting of and return of all missing in action, and to promote healing for veterans of all wars. We have succeeded in doing that. I made a short video in front of the OOIDA offices before I was interviewed by Reed Black. The link is below:
http://youtu.be/btmMhq-sO9Y
You may have to copy it into your browser line. It was a pleasure to tape it and to narrate what was going on. We ride in parade formation all the way across country, and we do it well. No one rides like we do, and we ride as we do for safety.
Everyone on all three routes is in Arlington VA tonight.
Tomorrow the new guys and gals get to ride into Arlington Cemetery. This is a privilege reserved exclusively for Run for The Wall. No other group is allowed to do this. You can ride motorcycles into Arlington but not as a group. We will lay a wreath at the tomb of the Unknown, and then go to the Wall.
I will ride a shuttle there, I have a remembrance to leave there, a flag from OOIDA and then I have some pins to turn. I am then heading back west to Wisconsin. The plan is to visit a friend in Hurricane, WV tomorrow, and be home by Monday evening. its only a thousand miles. I have already ridden a little over 6000 miles. Piece of cake.
Bounce
The mission is to demand an accounting of and return of all missing in action, and to promote healing for veterans of all wars. We have succeeded in doing that. I made a short video in front of the OOIDA offices before I was interviewed by Reed Black. The link is below:
http://youtu.be/btmMhq-sO9Y
You may have to copy it into your browser line. It was a pleasure to tape it and to narrate what was going on. We ride in parade formation all the way across country, and we do it well. No one rides like we do, and we ride as we do for safety.
Everyone on all three routes is in Arlington VA tonight.
Tomorrow the new guys and gals get to ride into Arlington Cemetery. This is a privilege reserved exclusively for Run for The Wall. No other group is allowed to do this. You can ride motorcycles into Arlington but not as a group. We will lay a wreath at the tomb of the Unknown, and then go to the Wall.
I will ride a shuttle there, I have a remembrance to leave there, a flag from OOIDA and then I have some pins to turn. I am then heading back west to Wisconsin. The plan is to visit a friend in Hurricane, WV tomorrow, and be home by Monday evening. its only a thousand miles. I have already ridden a little over 6000 miles. Piece of cake.
Bounce
Monday, May 19, 2014
Wonderful day to be a fast motorcycle
Every cop in 9 counties was escorting the Run, so Bounce really let me roll today. He thinks it was too hard, but I really really enjoyed sucking up that premium gas he used.....it is good to be a fast motorcycle when there are no cops around.
Clyde
Clyde
Day 6 Done
We got to Wentzville, MO OK. Weather great. Met lots of great people in Columbia MO, and took two other riders to OOIDA for an interview. It will air on Sirius/XM on Wednesday evening. It should be good, the interviewer, Reed Black, a Vietnam Veteran himself does a great job of asking questions and getting good answers.
Rode old Clyde pretty hard and fast today.
More to come tomorrow. Visit VA Hospital in Jefferson Barracks and overnight in Corydon, IN. Another great little town. So far 6 Mayors have declared the day we were in town Run for the Wall Day. All the folks at the stops have been wonderful, so many cookies today at Columbia. Law Enforcement Support has been outstanding.
Pictures and longer post tomorrow, or Friday.
Bounce
Rode old Clyde pretty hard and fast today.
More to come tomorrow. Visit VA Hospital in Jefferson Barracks and overnight in Corydon, IN. Another great little town. So far 6 Mayors have declared the day we were in town Run for the Wall Day. All the folks at the stops have been wonderful, so many cookies today at Columbia. Law Enforcement Support has been outstanding.
Pictures and longer post tomorrow, or Friday.
Bounce
Saturday, May 17, 2014
Day 4 done'
We have had great weather, and we have a great bunch of folks this year. Last year there were a lot of people doing the Run that neither cared about our mission, nor would ever be back. The one thing I have noticed is that there are almost no (I have not seen any at all but there could be some) 2013 FNG buttons. This to me means I was correct to say the the Hype would be less (last year was the 25th year of the Run) and there were a lot of people fulfilling their bucket lists and that was the only reason they came on the run.
We have already at this point raised $800.00 for the School kids at Rainelle, WV. Last year at this point we had abut $200.00. No one last year was very happy at this point, and there was a lot of disrespect for the places we went, and the people we met. Last year I spent 15 minutes picking up trash after folks left the night stops for their hotels, this year I found one tootsie pop stick on the ground in the parking lot, and from the looks of it, it might have been there for a few days.
Larger groups on the run are not bad, but large groups of folks doing it because of a special anniversary is bad. They people that do things like that are not dedicated, they insist that everything must be done for them. Now it might be because I have a hat that says leadership on it this year that makes folks listen when I tell then where to go, or what they are supposed to be doing, but that does not make people police their trash, or listen at the presentations, or thank the people that feed and house us.
OK that's enough.
Clyde almost dumped me today, I made a mistake getting onto the highway at Ratone, NM, and almost lost it in front of hundreds of folks, but I recovered, Clyde kept me from falling, and we went on.
tomorrow the real work of calming truck drivers down starts. We have had full Police escorts since we left Williams, except for today from Limon, Colorado to Goodland, KS. So tomorrow we will have truck traffic, I am hoping it won't be heavy, but I now have two other riders helping me, and we got a chance to practice a little today. So I think it will work OK.
That's enough for now.
Pictures tomorrow.
Good night all
Bounce
We have already at this point raised $800.00 for the School kids at Rainelle, WV. Last year at this point we had abut $200.00. No one last year was very happy at this point, and there was a lot of disrespect for the places we went, and the people we met. Last year I spent 15 minutes picking up trash after folks left the night stops for their hotels, this year I found one tootsie pop stick on the ground in the parking lot, and from the looks of it, it might have been there for a few days.
Larger groups on the run are not bad, but large groups of folks doing it because of a special anniversary is bad. They people that do things like that are not dedicated, they insist that everything must be done for them. Now it might be because I have a hat that says leadership on it this year that makes folks listen when I tell then where to go, or what they are supposed to be doing, but that does not make people police their trash, or listen at the presentations, or thank the people that feed and house us.
OK that's enough.
Clyde almost dumped me today, I made a mistake getting onto the highway at Ratone, NM, and almost lost it in front of hundreds of folks, but I recovered, Clyde kept me from falling, and we went on.
tomorrow the real work of calming truck drivers down starts. We have had full Police escorts since we left Williams, except for today from Limon, Colorado to Goodland, KS. So tomorrow we will have truck traffic, I am hoping it won't be heavy, but I now have two other riders helping me, and we got a chance to practice a little today. So I think it will work OK.
That's enough for now.
Pictures tomorrow.
Good night all
Bounce
Saturday, May 10, 2014
Day one of last leg to the Run done
Today my Brother and I left Colorado Springs to head out to L.A. for the 26th annual Run for the wall. We had planned to go across I-70 through Utah and down I-15 through Las Vegas to L.A., but old man winter has not given up on the mountains just yet. We found a little ice on the road in the Shadows. Called the third rider that is with us to see if he had left yet, he had been trying to call my Brother all morning because he did not want to deal with Vail pass, so we met him and went south to I-40. In the process we picked up a 4th rider. We also met several very nice folks on the way. Almost all of them have been walking up to one, or all of us and thanking us for our service. The vests we wear have patches indicating that we are Vets. I have had this experience before, and this is nothing new, but it is always really cool. We met one gentleman today, who is a Vietnam Vet, who said he thought the nutty part of what we are doing is going all the way out to L.A., California just to turn around and go to Washington D.C.. He did appreciate what we are doing, just thought it was a little nuts. We all agreed with him, and my brother said "Some one has to do it." He is right, if we did not do this did not make a big deal and ride across country like we do no one would remember, and we can never forget that this country has left way too many behind.
We are in Gallup, and the Mayor is coming to see us. This is very cool because he is a friend, and a great guy too. He redid my Brother and Sister-In-Law's wedding vows in 2011 and her ring needs to be repaired, he has graciously offered to get that done. He is a great guy, and Gallup is lucky to have him.
Well 0630 comes early, I am going to head to bed as soon as Jackie McKinney get here.
Thanks for reading.
Bounce
aka the truck whisperer.
Oh I almost forgot, I jumped down a truck driver's throat with both feet today, I asked him to back off, he pulled a radio Rambo and told me not to tell him how to drive his truck, I told him that our bikes could stop in 150 feet, his truck stops in 540 feet, either back off because my Brother's trailer was reacting badly to the wind we were in, or go around us. This was a Tyson Driver I got his truck number, but he backed off, and then went around us, so no problem. I was pretty firm, but polite, and I wiped my boots off before jumping down his tailgating throat.
We are in Gallup, and the Mayor is coming to see us. This is very cool because he is a friend, and a great guy too. He redid my Brother and Sister-In-Law's wedding vows in 2011 and her ring needs to be repaired, he has graciously offered to get that done. He is a great guy, and Gallup is lucky to have him.
Well 0630 comes early, I am going to head to bed as soon as Jackie McKinney get here.
Thanks for reading.
Bounce
aka the truck whisperer.
Oh I almost forgot, I jumped down a truck driver's throat with both feet today, I asked him to back off, he pulled a radio Rambo and told me not to tell him how to drive his truck, I told him that our bikes could stop in 150 feet, his truck stops in 540 feet, either back off because my Brother's trailer was reacting badly to the wind we were in, or go around us. This was a Tyson Driver I got his truck number, but he backed off, and then went around us, so no problem. I was pretty firm, but polite, and I wiped my boots off before jumping down his tailgating throat.
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