The Ride to the Wall

We traveled as a group to visit the Vietnam Wall.

We were a rambunctious group earlier in the morning having finally made the long trip across the USA, but our attitudes sobered and we became a subdued mass of people as we parked our bikes on the lawns adjacent to the walkway to the Vietnam Memorial Wall.

We were clad with our POW/MIA's bios and photos to leave there. A silent 75 or more individuals made the way to the sidewalk that begins the long decent along the Vietnam Memorial Wall.

I remembered last year, my first visit to the Wall. I remembered the emotions the long traverse along the black Wall filled with 58,272 etched names of those who gave their lives during the Vietnam War invoked in me. I remembered the deep sense of loss and grief I felt during that day in 2010. I remembered watching those Veterans I was with that had served in Vietnam, and the tears and the pain and the memories that came to them as they gazed at the Memorial. I remembered watching the family members of so many of those men and women soldiers whose names are on that Wall, and I remembered feeling their pain and suffering. I remembered seeing and feeling all this. I remembered the impact. I remembered the power of the black granite and its height and length necessary to house the names of the dead or missing.

I shivered in the 80 degree heat.

I clutched my POW/MIA laminated sheets to my heart. I started walking tentatively down the Wall to find their names so I could place their picture below it.

I looked around to see many doing the same as I. Many were in clusters gathered around a location ceremoniously placing their picture, or etching the name of someone they knew. Many were crying. Many were wrapped around each other…holding on for support while they showed their grief with tears and shaking hands covering their faces.

I thought maybe I could handle all this better than I did last year. But when I found the name of one of my POW/MIA soldiers, and touched his name on the Wall there, I too started to cry. I said a prayer for him and his family. I felt very sad.

I joined the others in the NVAR. I watched them etch names and offer flags and wreaths. I saw a lot of sadness and grieving. But I know that this is also a healing day. The Vietnam Wall is a physical item that honors our soldiers who gave their lives for our freedom. Somehow, the impact of it, although intensely emotional, has a way of touching the heart and moving those of us left behind toward some sense of peace and the beginning of healing. That is my hope anyway.

That is all I can say.

I would like to thank all of the staff at KQEN and Brook Communications that supported me as I traveled with this noble NVAR group who dedicate themselves each year to raising awareness about Veterans. Brian, Kyle, Justin, Joe and Scott- your support was and is deeply appreciated by all involved. Having the opportunity to tell the stories and have them posted along with photos of the events each day, helped those who were unable to attend have a better understanding of everything the NVAR means and stands for. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!! I am forever grateful for your support.

Share the road my friends,

Carrie Lee

All started well. The plan was for me to jump on a bike at our last lunch stop and ride into Arlington Cemetery.

That didn't work out. At the gas stop prior to lunch, one of the 80 or so bikes would not start. Ray and the bike owner, along with others helping, got the bike loaded into the chase trailer. Off we went to find the nearest Harley dealership in Maryland.

Staff at the dealership along with Ray, unloaded the bike. I was writing to you all so I was spending my time in the truck. They performed some sort of magical diagnostics on the bike and in not too much time they had figured out the problem. They got the bike fixed. I heard it was a minor part. Still we had spent well over an hour at the location. As we left there, Ray said there was no way we could catch the NVAR convoy.

While we were getting the bike taken care of, the group had performed a Wreath Laying Ceremony and had lunch. The next stop for them was the Arlington Cemetery. The parking there is not conducive to parking a full size truck towing a trailer so Ray had planned on heading straight into DC. That is why I was going to ride in with someone. Since we couldn't catch up in time, I missed the events at Arlington.

The NVAR group was honored with the opportunity to lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and witness the Changing of the Guard. I remember well, the event from last year and I was sorry I missed it, but that is the way it goes sometimes. The responsibilities of the chase vehicle trailer and the insurance of the safety of the riders, which includes making sure any breakdown is dealt with promptly, takes precedent.

When the riders arrived at the hotel many of them talked about how wonderful it was and such an honor to witness the wreath laying. They also had a trolley tour of the cemetery, just like I got to do last year. Svein, our rider from Norway, emailed me a couple pictures, so I include them here.

The evening was a memorable one. Everyone was happy to have made the trek and accomplished the mission with all safe in spite of the weather conditions they had endured crossing the USA. In ten days we were forced to cancel but one stop due to heavy storms. We, as a group have touched many hearts of Veterans at the assorted VA hospitals and State Homes. We have visited schools-engaging with our young people, teaching them about Veterans and the importance of the Military both currently and past. The riders brought joy, camaraderie and healing to each other by bonding and committing themselves together to complete the mission they set forth to accomplish.

Tomorrow, together, we will visit the Vietnam Memorial Wall. Some riders who are Veterans have never been there because the memories and losses they experienced during Vietnam have been too painful and devastating to face. Many riders have family members, school mates or friends names on the Wall. The strength for them to finally do this comes because of the group they are together with now. They are surrounded by their brothers and sisters and supporters to comfort them during this emotional day.

In addition we will be taking our POW/MiA's photos and bios with us to leave there. We have 167 of them with us. I am certain that too will have an impact on the day's time spent there.

I have one more story to tell. Tomorrow will be my last blog. I will be writing to you about our visit to the Wall.

Talk to you soon,

Carrie Lee

Well, hello all. Today was another cram-packed day of stops, visits and education.

After a breakfast and additional thank you's from the Brookville, Ohio mayor and the NVAR providing thank you certificates to the many, many advocates that assist in coordinating our stay in Brookville, we left as a mile long procession toward Chillicothe, Ohio VA Hospital.

At this point, although the temperature is around 70 degrees, almost every rider is clad in rain gear. We have been hit with storms every day so the riders prepare well. I have learned however, no matter what gear you have on, a motorcycle rider is going to get wet in a downpour. This is a long ride crossing the USA no matter what the weather, especially since we stop many times a day for Veteran visits and educational opportunities. I am so proud of everyone involved. Their dedication to honor and raise awareness about their brother and sister Veterans is most commendable.

Our youngest rider this year is a 36 year old from Des Moines, Iowa. Patrick Martindale served from 1994-1998 in the Marine Corp as a Combat Engineer. This, his first year on the Ride, came about by his research and interest. He ended up meeting one of the long time Ride attendees that happened to live in the same town as he, and that was it. He decided to join the effort.

Rider, "Jug" as he goes by, is our oldest rider at age 75, or else he just turned 76. He was telling me the other day (amongst a very noisy crowd) that he just had a birthday or has one was coming right up. Obviously, I didn't hear him clearly. My point is there is a wide spread in age among us. I was excited to see Jug with us again this year and also pleased that Patrick had joined up. Eventually, this younger generation will be the one to carry on this legacy. The other day at one of our VA hospital tours, I walked along with Patrick and we visited Veterans together. He told me he was enjoying himself and he really liked what we were doing. It appears to me also, that he connects easily during the visits with the Veteran patients and he's also having a nice time getting to know the NVAR riders. Sweet.

Patients lined the parking areas and sidewalks at the Chillicothe, Ohio VA Medical Center. Here, only a select group of Riders stop to visit due to logistics. The hospital's campus is beautiful. It appears to be built around the 1930's as is the VA in Roseburg, Oregon, where I work. As we slowly drove through the expansive facility, for the first time on this trip, I missed home. I think because the buildings look so much like my campus where I spend so much of my time. Anyway, Ray and I had to stay with the pack, but the riders that got to hang back for the visit said it was great. I hope next year we will all get to visit patients one-on-one. At least all patients got to see the parade of bikes.

All the kids at the school, all the teachers at the school, the principal of the school and the rest of the staff at the school were waiting for us as our pack of 80 some bikes rounded the corner into the school parking area. They had planned a Memorial Day Assembly around our arrival complete with a barbeque lunch, student speakers, their band performing patriot songs and a special memorial to a previous student, Lance CPL Aaron Howard Reed. He died serving his country on August 3, 2005. He was 22.

The assembly included one student telling the history of Memorial Day and spoke of the importance of the appropriate honoring of it. He said, "It's not the beginning of summer or the start of camping season like some think. It is a day to honor our fallen soldiers and we must forever remember that."

This VA is wonderful! We got to tour the entire hospital visiting patients. I spoke with many of them and everyone was so complementary of the great care they receive, the wonderful staff assisting them with all their needs and they raved about the food! One young Veteran I visited is currently a resident of the PTSD and substance abuse program there. He said the program is really helping him. I was glad to see a young Veteran standing up and admitting he needs help. So many of our Veterans wait for years before they seek treatment for their Military issues. I am encouraged by Sammie, this young former Air Force Veteran. Let him be an example to our younger Veteran population. I wish him all the best.

I spoke with some of the staff there as well. There is one commonality I have found at every Veteran hospital and state home we have visited. The staff cares deeply. They speak of the patients and the residents as family. And you know something; this is completely random. I never know what staff I might run into at a given location. I talked about the "feel" of the Ride group a few days ago, and I must say, I "feel" the goodness regarding the employees at the many locations we visit as well. It is consistent. I commend my comrades who care for those who have borne the battle. Their compassion and dedication in completing their mission to care for those who have served is evident everywhere. Pretty cool huh? Makes me feel very proud to be part of the team.

Boy, am I rambling today or what? I can't help but want to share this good- it has been all around me for all the days on this trek.

As we travel across the US and the days get closer to Memorial Day, I see even more American flags hanging from porches and displayed in restaurants and quick stop stores. I love the patriotism in this country.

Bridgeport is the location we did our group photo. The convoy traversed the narrow streets to the VFW Club 573. The buildings are spectacular. Most are tall and built tight together, but each one is unique in structure. The VFW building appeared to be historic too.

We were welcomed warmly and provided a meal. Steve Mulcahy, the Ride leader, formally thanked and provided certificates of appreciation to all those on the run that performed special services. There were a lot! Chase truck, road guards, Missing Man coordinator, Pacer, Chaplain and the assistant Ride coordinator to name a few.

We are not done yet, but this night is dedicated to show appreciation to those riders.

Talk to you tomorrow,

Carrie Lee