Run For the Wall 2013

Run For the Wall 2013

Central Route

"We Ride for Those Who Cannot"

Remembering those Vietnam veterans yet unaccounted for, whether

 prisoners of war or missing in action. 

Every year hundreds of Vietnam era veterans gather in California to "ride for those who can't".  My brother is one of them.  In recent years more veterans have joined the RFTW ride to Washington DC, veterans of Bosnia, Desert Storm, the Gulf War (Iraq) and lately young vets from the on-going conflict in Afghanistan.

This year RFTW noted that the Vietnam War ended 37 years ago.  This was the 25th year that vets rode in remembrance of war losses.  The POWs and MIAs were their fellow service members, soldiers, sailors, marines, and airmen who remain unaccounted for.

I'd listen to my brother's stories about the ride and one year I went up to Westminster Colorado to see him off for his ride.  It wasn't his first year, but it was early enough in his participation that he was joining the ride at their overnight stop in Limon Colorado.

 He now has a long strip of annual participation ribbons on his leather vest to go with his reversed FNG button.  For several years it has been his honor to ride from Rancho Cucamonga California in service to the run as a staging crew member, fuel guy, tail gunner, and this year assistant platoon leader.

I figured it was time to see the Run for the Wall in action. American Legion Post 37 in Holbrook Arizona hosts the Run for lunch on their second day. 

Friend Jim G and I traveled to Holbrook the day before so we would be rested up for the rolling thunder of arriving riders. We bought a burger, fries and a coke (supersized) for my brother and invited ourselves to sit with a family right across from the post in the shade of their tree.  

This was the first time for Jim and really the first time mid-run for me.  We had read up on the RFTW website to get an idea of the whole picture.

David Klemme, USMC (Ret), aka Papa Smurf, shows me his Honda Gold Wing after eating his BK lunch, and we looked through the mass of bikes parked neatly along the curbs, then double parked, then triple parked for TWO blocks.  At this point, Day 2, there are already over 400 participants.

They are waiting in line for chow or already chowing down lunch. Most bikes sport American and POW/MIA flags.  This lead  

bike in the foreground has two flag masts for larger flags.  They are deployed for arrivals, but are not left up when they are unattended.  

Participants are of all ages.

Below are several more pictures that remind me of the feelings of this trip.  I felt proud.  I felt the power of reconciliation.  I felt forgiven and blessed. Riders gave me several gifts, a beaded flag key chain, an RFTW 2013 pin, and a copper penny with a cross stamped from it.

Bikes are of all types.

Many thanks to American Legion Post 37 for their Hospitality!

  

Coach Sweetie

"Get down here and Just Do It!!"

x

"Less Salt and More Exercise"

That's what my Nurse Practitioner advised me at my last visit.   What a witch.  Or would that be Nurse Wactitioner?

She's right of course.  But the Ex- word, while not four letter, is indeed an unwelcome word in my vocabulary.

Exer....exerci....exercise.  Yeah, that's the ticket.  

Last Wednesday night a friend and I were talking about health related issues and I spoke my new truth.  I really need to exercise.  I've been urging her to complete a regimen involving 90 reps in 90 days.  (Nothing anonymous here.)  It occurred to me that I could stand 90 reps of exercise in 90 days myself.

Thursday, April 25, I began and so far, so good.  Oh yeah.  Less salt.  I'm sure if I don't improve in 90 days, Nature will gladly refund my misery.  

Creator of all that is good, including me, help me to keep my commitment and resolve.  Thank you!

Pittosporum In Bloom

Yes, Virginia, there is Pittosporum.  And here it is blooming in my garden:

Said to be a pretty boring plant, I choose to keep it anyway.  This was the only 'growing' thing carried forward from before I owned this home.  Sometimes boring can be beautiful.

Let's Hear It for Bisbee Arizona!

Today's Arizona Republic announced that the city council of Bisbee, Arizona has voted to recognize same sex civil unions.  Good for Bisbee in more ways than one!

Tom Horne, our state attorney general, has his ultraconservative panties in a wad along with many other state officials whose places in office seems to hinge on discrimination and bigotry for anyone who isn't white, christian, male, and straight.

I love Bisbee.  As E. J. Montini says, Bisbee is on the right side of history.  I could not pass up my opportunity to comment in a letter to the editor:

Bisbee Arizona, a place where all people are respected equally, has given our state a shining example of good will. Bisbee's choice to to allow same sex civil unions is in sharp contrast to discriminatory state laws and policies. When my out-of-state friends mock Arizona's bigotry in the name of conservatism, I'll recommend they come to visit Bisbee. And I'll visit, too!

Patricia Klemme

Phoenix AZ

 

Calling It Like It Is

In today's Arizona Republic, Doug MacEachern writes:

Obama is Whistling Past the Terrorism Graveyard

"The national media are profoundly incurious about President Barack Obama's lack of ardor for rescuing Americans under siege at Benghazi, Libya.  So we may never know what he did on their behalf. Or didn't do. Three years ago, a Muslim Army officer attacked fellow soldiers at Fort Hood, Texas. The administration insists it was 'workplace violence.'  Not an attack by an al-Qaida ally; certainly not 'terrorism.' Obama wants to ignore terrorism into oblivion."

Here's my take:  

Maybe we should make *less* fuss about small acts of terrorism.  Congress' howling about lack of information about Benghazi shines a spotlight on terrorist action that must be very gratifying to the perpetrators.  

While we are at it, I wish we would develop policies that treat terrorist actions as crime rather than war.  Wars are nationalistic activities usually between nations or ethnicities within nations.  Terrorism is random small group or individual action far more suited for criminal investigation and prosecution.   

For what it's worth....

Pat