See below for Sit Reps and special thanks.

Our registration team consists of Shirley "Top Sarge" Scott (left with husband, Vance) and Val McClymonds (above, center). Val is talking with Marty "Dollars" Gelbar and Ela "Grasshopper" King. Below, the Platoon meetings take place after the main riders' meeting each morning. Things are going well!!

Our first stop was at the Permian Basin Veterans' Memorial. Our other photographers will have pictures from there to post. Below, James "Gunny" Gregory (right) and Frank "Tadpole" Perry visit with Gene Wilson and Jerry Groves, two of the designers of the new All Veterans Monument at Big Spring, TX. The monument will be dedicated on May 26. We were so privileged to be among the first to visit the site! It's beautiful!

The family of one of our riders showed up in force. Below, a rider calls a veteran friend to tell him that he "must come next year."

Our stop in Colorado City, TX, for lunch moved last year from the middle school to a downtown historical building. This year, we think we were able to get all of the cooks in one photo. WOW! Shish kabobs! Who could have dreamed...an excellent lunch with vegetables and dessert, too. The program is always so meaningful at Colorado City because their own veterans and their families turn out in force to greet us and be honored by us! It's a community which sets a high standard for honoring their veterans, and the movement started with middle school students who are now grown. They have much to be proud of! Again, there will be more photos from others.

We had a little more rain today; that may be the last of it. Forecast is for sun and heat in the rest of Texas on Sunday. Our overhead greeters could never know how much they're appreciated! It makes the riders feel so good to see them (and honk and wave)!

We're guessing that Boomer and Spanky couldn't carry a flag because they're riding with us Sunday. It was good to see them, as well as the wonderful display on the Brock overpass by our friends, the Powells and the Sheridans.

The following photos are from John McKee:

RFTW XX, Day 4, May 17, 2008
Odessa to Weatherford

Up and at‘em and off to Legacy Harley-Davidson for breakfast provided by the Odessa American Legion Motorcycle riders. After the morning riders meeting, it is off to the official Ceremony at the Permian Basin Vietnam Memorial. For those who are with us for the first time, this is a spectacular Memorial, honoring those lost during the war in Vietnam that were residents of the 30 counties which comprised the Permian Basin. We were once again honored by a ceremony conducted by Louis Tijerina “Watching Wolf”, Chief of the Comanche Nation. “Watching Wolf” did a traditional Indian blessing of the earth, the people and RFTW XX. Thank you for your support for RFTW, the Veterans of the Permian Basin, for honoring the lives lost and for representing your Nation with exceptional pride. This Memorial has a special meaning for “Watching Wolf” as it bears the name of his brother.

Upon departure from the Memorial, it is off to Big Spring, TX to visit their Vietnam Memorial. This is another spectacular Monument to the Veterans of Vietnam with it’s Huey helicopter and the F-4 Phantom jet fighter. In addition to the Memorial was added the All Veterans Monument, designed by Jerry Groves and Gene Wilson. This is the second Memorial that we have visited in West Texas that originally started as a drawing on a napkin. Who needs fancy laptops, computer programs or architectural renderings? Just get a couple of dedicated Vets on a mission, give them pen and paper and Memorials get built.

Back on the road, it is off again to visit Colorado City for lunch and ceremonies at the Railhead Building. Lunch was served and the presentation ceremony was done by the children of Colorado Middle School. We were entertained by the school’s Stage Band featuring big band music, under the direction of Linda Clay. If you closed your eyes, it sounded just like the big bands of days gone by...Glenn Miller, eat your heart out… Many thanks to the Color Guard provided by the Inspector/Instructor Staff (USMC) from Diass Air Force Base (SSgt Torrez, Sgt Villa, LCpl Crabtree and LCpl Dobbs – you did us proud). If you think patriotism is disappearing among the younger generation, one needs only to visit Colorado City and speak with the children that have created tributes to each and every Veteran that has ever worn the uniform from that proud community.

After our departure, we are on the road to Weatherford, TX for dinner at the American Legion Post 163. Some of us were greeted when we arrived early by one of our favorite members, the post Chaplain, Chuck Katlic. Chuck is a WWII Veteran who received decorations for Valor at the Battle of the Bulge, one of the most bitter engagements of WWII in the European Theater. Chuck continues to educate children in the community on behalf of all veterans, and is instrumental in providing honors at numerous cemeteries in the area by escorting children to the cemeteries for flag placements.

After a great dinner and visiting with old friends again, it is off to the various hotels for a well deserved rest.

People in the spotlight, Day 4

The Children of Colorado City Middle School – When you think that the younger generation no longer caring about its Country’s Veterans, we suggest you take a trip to Colorado City, TX for an education that will last you a lifetime. These young adults took it upon themselves to design a memorial, to research the cost, to implement the building of the memorial, to research the history of the Veterans in the community, and to honor all that have participated in RFTW. Maybe we need to send a contingent of these young adults to Washington DC to educate our “Leaders” in what patriotism truly means.

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

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 Texas:

Ray and Kay McDowell
Legacy Harley-Davidson
Students of Colorado City Middle School
Community Folks of Colorado City, Texas
Saulsbury Family Foundation
Additionally, the program from Colorado City Middle School let us know that they had these helpers:
     Main Street
     Kiwanis
     Rotary Club
     Lions club
     Fuller Foods
     City National Bank
     Wallace Correctional Center
     City of Colorado City
     Chamber of Commerce
RFTW West Texas State Coordinator, Diann "Mojo" Perkins
RFTW Central Texas Coordinator, Janice Wentworth

Return to Run For The Wall - Southern Route - 2008

Left, the new All Veterans Monument at Big Spring. Above, Firefly with Colorado City Middle School students. Below, the wonderful band.

Don and Della Morris seem to have more fun since his "Coordinator year." Right, Preacher gives the "AMA Moment" after the prayer each morning.

Above, Luis Tijerina was with us for blessings again, and Wild Bill gave part of the program about the Permian Basin Memorial.

Betty Powell submitted the following photos taken from the overpass at Brock, just west of Weatherford (these may not be in the correct sequence of platoons):

Kay McDowell submitted the following photos for Day Four, and they were posted on 6/10/08:

We are always amazed at the work the students and this community do to honor their veterans. Below, left, were only a few of the tribute posters to local veterans.

Below, Colorado City Middle School students complete this veterans' memorial two years ago. It stands in front of the local hospital so that many can enjoy it. Below, right, the hydration team was always there when we needed it. We appreciated them!

Left, folks came out to greet us on the overpass as we headed through the sometimes-heavy rain.

Both photos below show the welcome we were so grateful for in Weatherford, TX.

Gary Baird submitted this composite photo of the Permian Basin Memorial on 6/13/08: