See May 13 Situation Reports (SitReps) and special thanks below.

Following tradition, Southern Route Coordinator, Roger "Cowboy" Mead's bike will fly a special flag this year in memory of Matt Maupin and to express his "Thank you" to all of our supporters and riders.

Below, the Hilton Garden Inn's banner was out for our greeting. Right, Richard "Preacher" Moore, our Lead Chaplain and I.C.O., helped Frank "Tadpole" Perry and Roger "Cowboy" Mead install batteries in the Road Guards' radios. Everyone in Run For The Wall's organization is a volunteer; no one is paid, and there is lots of preparatory work to do to assure a smooth RFTW.

Road Guards will have new "glo gloves" this year which are really noticeable! At right is our registration team with I.C.O. Michael "Enigma" Mendell. Below, left is International FX's staff with Rick Aviolo at the right.

Carol Condit, left, heads the Merchandise Team; Ed Kain, center, is the Advance Team Leader and one of our photographers; Marty Gelbar, right, collects money donations for our schools and Freedom is Not Free.

Registration is very serious business. Numbers have been reported at 470 for Central Route and 262 for Southern Route. Below is registration I.C.O., Shirley Scott, checking for this rider's motorcycle license endorsement and insurance. All registering riders must sign a liability release.

It has been wonderful to have Michael King join us for a few days' leave. Here he is with his mother, Ela.

Cowboy held a meeting of ALL Southern Route personnel to be sure we knew each other. What a great group of leaders we have! Lots of folks had to stand or sit on the floor, though.

Here's the hydration team and trailer led by Gary Burd. So many churches and organizations contribute to the effort to keep our riders hydrated ALL THE WAY across the U.S.A! Thank you so very much!

Many showed up at the "last minute" to register.

At the right, Carol Condit introduced us to Mark Borsuk. Mark is the songwriter/singer of "We Are America" (on the RFTW YouTube video) and wrote another song just for us, "Run For The Wall." He sang both songs after our dinner this evening and received standing ovations.

This map posted in the lobby (along with the daily schedule) allowed riders to "pin" their home towns. It was pretty obvious that we are a national organization.

RFTW XX Pre-Sit-Rep, May 13, 2008

Riders from all over North America converged on Rancho Cucamonga to prepare for Run for the Wall XX.  It was great seeing old friends again and the many FNG’s that are joining us this year.  Several events took place from Sunday through Tuesday night to include a ride to Riverside National Cemetery, a ride to the March Field Air Museum, and a fabulous dinner feeding 400 at Central Park provided by the employees of Raytheon [the primary facilitator making this event possible was Rancho Cucamonga City Council Member Rex Gutierrez, and the Rancho Cucamonga City Council arranged for the location], along with just some good old camaraderie around the hotels.  Merchandise trailers were open for business beginning Monday afternoon as many people scurried around to get their run patches, pins, flag sets, etc in preparation for the run.

Many thanks to Carol Condit and her team for all the work they do in providing merchandise for the riders. 

We would also like to thank “Top Sarge” and her team for making registration a seamless event and her welcoming home all of the vets with her special hugs. 

Thanks to the vendors who showed up to provide their products and services to the riders in anticipation of the run.

We hope that everyone had a few days of rest and relaxation because we are now heading East in the morning.

Submitted by MSgt Steve Hill, USMC (Ret) “Hawgwash”

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As always, it is impossible to know and thank all of the kind folks who help us as we cross the United States. However, here is a list of special people and organizations who helped us in California:

Jim and Gwen Frost
Carol Condit
Mark Borsuk
City of Rancho Cucamonga
Raytheon Corporation
Hilton Garden Inn, Rancho Cucamonga
City of Blythe, California
Sizzler USA, Inc.
Shamrock Food Distributors
Blythe Yellow Ribbon Committee
Floyd Marlowe

Victoria Gardens
RanchoCucamonga Police and Firefighters
Spotlight 29 Casino
Pomona Valley Harley-Davidson (They stay open Sunday and Monday for us!)
Wings and Rotors Air Museum
K-FROG Radio
Red Hill Coffee Shop
Riverside, CA, All Forces Honor Guard
Doyle "Popeye" Tolbert
Bill "No-Chute" Hanlon
Jim "Jumper" Braga
Di Lucas
Bridget Madison

Return to Run For The Wall - Southern Route - 2008

The next photos were taken by John McKee, one of the official photographers for the Southern Route this year:

The next photos were taken by Lynne Fouraker, another official photographers for the Southern Route this year:

All Road Guards had special safety and riding training this year on Tuesday. We really appreciate their new Glo-Gloves!!! Information on the highly-visible Glo-Gloves which our Road Guards are using may be found at <www.gloglov.com>.

Above, Terry and Anne work the Merchandise Trailer. Carol Condit, Merchandise Team Leader was out taking care of last-minute details. Terry is a "Tail Gunner" with regular duties, but she pitched in to help on Tuesday and was really appreciated!

Left, Chaplain Gary Burd is greeted by Cowboy with our usual hugs. Southern Route does everything possible to make riders feel like they are part of our family. FNGs wear buttons so that others will know who they are. 40 - 60% of our riders are FNGs (Fun New Guys and Gals) this year.

Gary Baird sent the following Advance Team planning and strategy meeting photos in June. Below, left, leaders Richard "Dixie" Atkinson, Ed "A-Ret" Kain, and Ted "Oscar Bear" Reidel. We could not ride across our beautiful USA efficiently without the A-Team! Thanks to ALL of you!

Gayle McCook, right, was in charge of finances for the SR this year. Sherry Bridges, left, was her assistant. Good job, ladies!

On Tuesday night at dinner, Gary Baird took this photo of Medal of Honor recipient John Baca. Click here to view a copy of his MOH citation.