Lake Havasu City Freedom Bridge

Wounded Warrior Soldier Ride, more...

noreply@blogger.com (Freedom Bridge Project) — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 06:29:00 +0000

Wounded Warrior Soldier Ride - Lake Havasu City Honors our Freedom Fighters

During the week of Sept 23, 2008, hundreds of Lake Havasu City citizens and patriots came out to welcome the arrival of the First Annual Wounded Warrior Soldier Ride through our city. The following are some emails which were sent about the event (SCROLL DOWN). Videos and many more photos will soon be available on the www.havasufreedombridge.com website.

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Sept 24, 2008

TEARS IN MY SOUL

I glanced at the sunset as it brought darkness. The sun hid behind the lake and entered the mountains' shadows. I waited patiently for the bus to arrive carrying the Wounded Warriors. As the bus entered the parking lot I felt my heart beat faster. In the darkness I saw shadows of movement that grasp my soul. Boys who became men and fate had brought us together. I was there to honor the brave men who made the sacrifices for my freedom, escorting them to their destination. I stood proudly waving my flag and shouting, "welcome home soldier and thank you for your service."

The day ended, my heart glad my soul fulfilled with a portion of my mission accomplished. I still needed to hold my brothers and thanks them personally.

A new day, a new memory, I went to the welcome home for our Wounded Warriors. I prayed for them. At the end of the ceremony I gathered my strength and walked toward my brothers. I began thanking them for their service. Without limbs, yet hearts full of compassion, they acknowledge my presence. I went to one soldier, extended my hand, and before I could open my mouth he spoke. "I don't want your hand, give me a hug." I turned to another soldier who stood on legs of metal, I said, Thank youand again I was interrupted, "No, you're my hero," was spoken, my eyes filled with tears. How could I be this soldier's hero when he had given so much for my freedom? He continued to honor me by saying, "Welcome Home, you never got a true welcome home. Our country closed its doors on you and all Vietnam Veterans. You are the heroes; we have gotten our welcome homeyou haven't. With that he hugged me and said "Thank you for your service."

I felt my face flushed, my eyes filled with tears, and my heart full of emotions that he understood me. He saw my deep inner hurt, my fears, and my solitude and opened his heart for me. He brought back the memory of my coming home to protesters who threw rotten tomatoes and raw eggs at me. My welcome home was abusive. My country's educated elite from Berkley University stood over me and broke my spirit. I hid in my solitude and loneliness, covered my face . . . until today.

Today a soldier saw me as his hero and gave me back my pride. Thank you Wounded Warriors, thank you for your compassion. I was there to help you heal; but you gave me the healing, and I thank you. May God bless you and heal your wounds, for your heart and soul are comforting. You have given me the perfumes of gardens once again. You have placed the colors of a rainbow in perfect order; you have entered into my tattered heart and brought forth the true spirit of being an American. Thank you. And thank you for your service; you will never be forgotten.

May God keep each of our Wounded Warriors ever so close to His loving heart

Sisto Sandoval

Vietnam Veteran (1968-69) TET Survivor

Secretary/Chaplain VVA 975

LHC Welcomes the WWP

noreply@blogger.com (Freedom Bridge Project) — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 16:50:00 +0000

Wounded Warrior Soldier Ride - Lake Havasu City Honors our Freedom Fighters

------------------------

Sept 24, 2008

TEARS IN MY SOUL

The day ended, my heart glad my soul fulfilled with a portion of my mission accomplished. I still needed to hold my brothers and thanks them personally.

May God keep each of our Wounded Warriors ever so close to His loving heart

Sisto Sandoval

Vietnam Veteran (1968-69) TET Survivor

Secretary/Chaplain VVA 975

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Sept 25

I am in Vegas now, having just spent a few more hours with the soldier riders. Each has a unique, amazing, and inspiring life story.

They also felt that their injuries were simply proud reminders of their successful efforts to rid the planet of evil dictators who have attacked America, and would have done it again. Some of them are trying to get back to their units in the field.

I am more impressed and inspired by these guys every minute.

They asked how many more new crosses of American victims would have been in that Who Will Stand movie if the soldiers had not done their job.

Gary

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Sept 26

The opening reception for the WWP Soldier Riders in Las Vegas wasn't even close to the size or enthusiasm of what we did here in Lake Havasu City! The Belagio fountains started the day with Lee Greenwood's "Proud To Be An American" with the soldiers looking on. It was very moving. We can't beat those fountains, no matter how much we clean the English Village!

Then the ride started with about 25 spectators there, clapping. No bands, no guest speakers, no flags, no big crowd, no bricks! I attach several more photos.

Here is something special. Lt. Daniel Luckett (known as "Lieutenant Dan" by his buddies) is famous from the photo attached (LtDanUSA). When you look at that photo, you may recognize that it was on the front page of USA Today, and has been one of the most widely distributed Army photos from the Iraqi war. That photo was taken just shortly after his Humvee hit an IED, which blew off one of his legs. Dan told me that he was thinking of him mom when he gave his "thumbs up" signal, thinking that she might see the photo with him on the stretcher.

Note Dan was also in good spirits while clowning around (holding his prosthetic leg) before the Who Will Stand movie was shown at the Palms in Vegas last night!

Many of the soldiers expressed many times how warm and friendly was the Lake Havasu City reception. Everyone they met in LHC was overwhelmingly nice, especially when compared to the big cities they usually ride through. A few guys told me that they will revisit to look for a job and a home after they are released from the service.

Gary

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Wounded Warrior Soldier Ride - Lake Havasu City Honors our Freedom Fighters

noreply@blogger.com (Freedom Bridge Project) — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 16:36:00 +0000

Wounded Warrior Soldier Ride - Lake Havasu City Honors our Freedom Fighters

During the week of Sept 23, 2008, hundreds of Lake Havasu City citizens and patriots came out to welcome the arrival of the First Annual Wounded Warrior Soldier Ride through our city. The following are some emails which were sent about the event. Videos and many more photos will soon be available on the www.havasufreedombridge.com website.

------------------------

Sept 24, 2008

TEARS IN MY SOUL

The day ended, my heart glad my soul fulfilled with a portion of my mission accomplished. I still needed to hold my brothers and thanks them personally.

May God keep each of our Wounded Warriors ever so close to His loving heart

Sisto Sandoval

Vietnam Veteran (1968-69) TET Survivor

Secretary/Chaplain VVA 975

------------------------------

Sept 25

--------------------------

Sept 26

Then the ride started with about 25 spectators there, clapping. No bands, no guest speakers, no flags, no big crowd, no bricks! I attach several more photos.

Note Dan was also in good spirits while clowning around (holding his prosthetic leg) before the Who Will Stand movie was shown at the Palms in Vegas last night!

Gary

--------------------------

Sept 26

We can be proud of ourselves on this Soldier Ride project - to have put together something this huge in such a short time. And without a glitch, no less!

Capt. Woody said they definitely will be back next year - perhaps for an extra day - maybe in November, when it's not so hot. They were all so overwhelmed by the support that I wouldn't be surprised it we see them every year. With an extra day, the Yacht clubs said they would like to take the soldiers out on the lake while they're here next time - won't the guys love that?!

What a great experience this has been. But I'm sleeping in tomorrow!

Judy

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Sept 26

I had another one share something very similar with me. In an emotional moment, he shared that he had been doing the ride since 2004, and had never seen such an outpouring of support. It made what he went through worth it, knowing that people back home cared and didn't take for granted all they did.

I can't tell you all how amazing it was to be a part of this, and to know we really touched some very important people. Thanks to everyone who helped.

Jarrod Lyman

Vice-President

---------------------------

Sept 26

FYI: One of the gentlemen that goes along with the Warriors talked to me at the Mall. He said that they have never had a reception like the one they got in Havasu. He said that the guys might lower their heads and say "Aw shucks" but this would be a trip they would never forget. He said that this was "just awesome". This was totally unsolicited----he asked if they could have the ice in the coolers and I told him to help himself. Then, he told me his feelings.

I feel blessed and honored to have been part of such an event!

Kathy

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Sept 26

It was truly a wonderful day for all of us. Seeing those Warriors and their spirit made you feel very fortunate to be an American.

Richard

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Sept 27 2008

The Freedom Bridge Foundation created more good will, camaraderie, and patriotism this week surrounding the Wounded Warrior Soldier Ride events than I have ever witnessed since the country rallied after 9/11. We need to retain these positive feelings and continue the momentum.

Citizens will focus on this wave of good will and may feel motivated to donate more bricks to the Memorial Walkway. For those who have already donated, perhaps you can ask someone else who would like to donate.

Thanks to ALL VOLUNTEERS. You all deserve an "Above and Beyond" award for creating one of the best events that Havasu has ever hosted.

Gary

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9/28/08

On behalf of Lake Havasu City, AZ and the Freedom Bridge Foundation, I would like to express our grateful appreciation to the Patriot Guard Riders who participated in the escorts for the Wounded Warrior Project on September 23-24, 2008.

Twenty Wounded Warriors, injured in Iraq and Afghanistan, spent two days in Lake Havasu, and the PGR showed up for not one or two, but FOUR separate escorts. It wasn't an easy mission, as we were unable to pinpoint the exact time they would be arriving from Phoenix on their High Desert Challenge Soldier Ride September 23. Because of delays in the WWP schedule, PGR had to wait at the appointed spot for almost two hours. Some of the riders were unable to wait any longer, which we completely understood, but at least 20 riders stuck it out and provided a beautiful escort to the soldiers' hotel. We apologize to those who were so inconvenienced, but the end result was gratifying. The soldiers were amazed by the reception and by the riders who mounted their tour bus to wish them a personal welcome home.

On September 24, PGR was back early to escort the soldiers to the English Village under the London Bridge for welcome ceremonies attended by hundreds of Lake Havasu residents. They formed a flag line for the soldiers to ride their bicycles through, and another for them to leave the English Village. While the soldiers were on their Soldier Ride, PGR moved on to the new mall where the soldiers would stop for a water break. They again formed a flag line to welcome them. And finally, PGR provided an escort out of Lake Havasu to I-40 and on to their next stop.

The participation of the Patriot Guard Riders was a big part of the success of the WWP's two-day visit in Lake Havasu. The people of our city were awed by PGR's professionalism and dedication, and the soldiers told us they were truly impressed.

Thank you, PGR, for another outstanding mission.

Judy Lacey,
Veterans Coordinator
Freedom Bridge Foundation

UniSource Contributes to the Freedom Bridge!

noreply@blogger.com (Freedom Bridge Project) — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 14:42:00 +0000

The attached photo shows Bill DeJulio (left) and Miles Willard (right) donating $2500 to The Freedom Bridge Foundation. UniSource Energy Services chose The Freedom Bridge Foundation as a worthwhile recipient for their current donation as a result of all the positive efforts of the FB Foundation toward improving our local economy and supporting our Veterans.

Thanks, UniSource!

Gary Meyers
www.HavasuFreedomBridge.com
Click for Bricks!

Community Investment

noreply@blogger.com (Freedom Bridge Project) — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 13:59:00 +0000

Community Investment

There is no doubt that times are tough, and probably not getting better any time soon. As an Investment and Economic Advisor, few know this fact better than I.

However, there is one definite strategy that can make matters worse, and further delay any recovery. That strategy would be for businesses to cease making investments in our community. As painful as it might be financially, the worst thing would be to stop investing for the future. You are well aware of this as your fingers are in lots of pies!

Congress has truly helped to screw up our economy. But even those politicians understood that they had no choice but to invest in a financial bailout, regardless of the cause.

Lake Havasu City is also facing some serious decisions. The greatest visitor attraction, and the core of our city's growth for the last 38 years, is also the most famous antique ever sold. Unfortunately, the Bridgewater Channel area has stagnated, and the local economy has followed suit.

As we look to the future, one of the best possible investments to restore economic vitality to the whole city would be to support the new visitor attractions of the Freedom Memorial Walkway, Freedom Park, and the eventual Freedom Bridge. These will eventually be world class attractions. Now is the opportunity to plant the seeds of growth, and be a part of our city's positive future.

The funds needed to pay for Lake Havasu City's future growth must come from citizens and businesses. One vehicle for contribution is through the donation of Memorial Bricks. In return for the tax deductible contribution, the donor will receive permanent recognition and notoriety. This is a fantastic opportunity for all companies to permanently expand the awareness of their business, as well as to honor deserving friends, loved ones, or employees.

In years to come, our city's visitors and residents will be regularly reminded of those companies who contributed to our economic recovery from tough economic times. Surely, this could become the best investment you may ever make.

Please log on to www.havasufreedombridge.com today to make your tax deductible brick donation. Put it on your calendar to tell others every day. Citizens can prove that higher taxes are not always needed to help build our future.

Thanks,

Gary Meyers
www.HavasuFreedomBridge.com
Click for Bricks!

Freedom Memorial Walkway adds ASU

noreply@blogger.com (Freedom Bridge Project) — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 10:02:00 +0000

Sept 2008

Freedom Bridge Foundation

teams up with ASU program

By Staff Reports

The Freedom Bridge Foundation announced Wednesday that they have teamed with Arizona State

University's nationally acclaimed Public History Program to develop the "76 Moments of Freedom" historical

markers for the Freedom Memorial Walkway, which is an element of the Freedom Bridge project,

according to a news release.

"The Public History Program at Arizona State University is extremely excited to be part of a project,

which we hope will allow both residents of Lake Havasu City and visitors to explore and discuss

the various dimensions of freedom in such an ideal location," said Professor Brooks Simpson, ASU's

principal investigator for the project. "We believe the result will leave a lasting impression on anyone who

comes to Lake Havasu City."

When completed, The Memorial Walkway will connect the London Bridge with the planned Freedom Bridge.

The completion of the project is scheduled as early as 2012. In addition to thousands of engraved bricks,

the 24-inch-by-24-inch "76 Moments of Freedom" bricks will tell the story of America's ongoing pursuit

of freedom.

"Selecting and interpreting these very important events in American history is no easy task," said

Brian Wedemeyer, Foundation President. "We really wanted an established authority on history to help

us with this very important assignment." ASU's Public History Program has worked with several state institutions

over the past decade, including State Archives, Arizona Historical Society, Arizona Humanities Council,

Arizona State Historic Preservation Office, Tempe Historical Museum and Pueblo Grande Museum. It is currently

involved with three National Park Service projects.

One of the program's top graduate students has been assigned to the Lake Havasu City project. The

graduate will be under the close guidance of Simpson, who is an internationally known scholar

and expert on presidential administrations and the Civil War. Simpson has consulted for Civil War battlefields

and the Lincoln Library in Springfield, Ill. Professor Noel Stowe, who received the 2008 Governor's Heritage

Preservation Award for outstanding achievement in preserving Arizona's historic resources, is also involved.

The "76 Moments of Freedom" will be determined in a collective effort by ASU's team and other

renowned historians involved before the topics will be subject to an essay competition for Arizona

students.

The historical markers for the walkway will each include the brief description of an event or chosen

historical moment and will be accompanied by a student essay about they think the event advanced

America's pursuit of freedom. The student essays will be substantiated with an official textbook explanation

of the event provided by the ASU team.

So far, three Lake Havasu City students will be writing the essays for the first historical markers. The

Public History Program will also help with the initial planning of the statewide essay contest that is anticipated

to begin in a few months.

Proceeds from the sale of engraved bricks will benefit the Freedom Bridge enhancement project that

includes an upgraded bridge design and a Veterans park.

The engraved bricks are available online for purchase at www.havasufreedombridge.com.

Wounded Warrior Project / Freedom Memorial Walkway

noreply@blogger.com (Freedom Bridge Project) — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 09:32:00 +0000

From: Jarrod Lyman-Vice President, CVB (928) 453-3444 x134

For Immediate Release

Events added to Wounded Warrior Soldier Ride

LAKE HAVASU CITY, Ariz. Lake Havasu City has a number of patriotically themed events planned for the latter half of this month.

The Wounded Warrior Project's Soldier Ride will be in Lake Havasu City September 24. The group is composed of men and women who have returned from the battlefields of Afghanistan and Iraq with serious, life altering injuries. "Many of these men and women have been physically active throughout their lives. Soldier Ride offers these brave individuals the chance to get on a bike and prove to themselves, 'I can still do this.' Soldier Ride is not about politics; it's not about the war. It's simply about the soldiers," said Woody Groton with the Wounded Warrior Project who is organizing the ride, which takes place in Phoenix, Lake Havasu City and then Las Vegas.

A dedication ceremony is taking place the morning the soldiers are in town. Part of that ceremony will include the dedication of a segment of the Memorial Walkway under construction as part of the Freedom Bridge Foundation. "What more of a lasting impression can we make on these men and women who gave so much of themselves for our country, than by immortalizing them in this memorial walkway to those who serve in our armed forces," said Gary Meyers, Chairman of the Freedom Bridge Committee. ""These are the very people who motivated this entire (Freedom Memorial Walkway) project," he said. Donors from around the community and beyond purchased bricks for each of the soldiers taking part in the ride.

The public is asked to attend the ceremony, which starts promptly at 8:30 the morning of September 24. "We all talk about supporting the troops. This is a great opportunity to really show that support," said Jarrod Lyman, who is part of the organizing committee for the event. "I want everyone in the community to show their support."

The school district has offered their support as well. "The school district supports our wounded veterans and is very happy to support the Wounded Warrior Project. Any parent that takes their children to that event will not be counted as tardy that day," said Lake Havasu Unified School District Superintendent Gail Malay. "Attending this ceremony will be part of our students' education on citizenship."

Supporters can also gather along the ride route, which can be found at www.woundedwarriorproject.org then click on Soldier Ride. The ride will stop at the new Mall at 11 am for a half-time water break, then finish at the Hampton Inn where crowds are also asked to gather to welcome the riders back in. "The Rotary Clubs have changed their meeting schedule to coincide with their return so we can welcome them back," Meyers said. "We'd love to have even more people from the community there to show their support."

A new addition to the schedule of events is the National Premier screening of the independent film Who Will Stand, a movie documenting the Soldier Ride and the issues facing returning veterans. "This is a powerful film showing the continuing sacrifices the men and women of our armed forces have to make," said Gary Meyers, Chairman of the Freedom Bridge Committee and one of the organizers of the event. "It's impossible to see this film and not be moved by it."

There will be two special showings of the movie. One, Monday, September 22, will be a special, VIP, invitation only screening. There will be numerous invited guests, including those who have already donated a brick. The showing starts at 7 pm.

Following the screening is a celebration at Barley Brother's Brewery, featuring the new Freedom Brick Ale brewed especially for the Freedom Bridge Foundation. "This is a great partnership between us and Barley Brother's," Meyers said. "It will raise both awareness and funds for the goals of the Foundation.

A second screening on Tuesday will be open to the general public. Entrance will cost $7, with most proceeds going to the Wounded Warrior Project.

For more information, contact the Lake Havasu City Convention and Visitors Bureau at (928) 453-3444.

First Row in!

noreply@blogger.com (Freedom Bridge Project) — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 21:17:00 +0000

August 13, 2008

The Freedom Bridge Foundation is pleased to announce that the first row of Freedom Bridge Memorial Walkway bricks has been installed. Over the next few weeks, hundreds of additional Memorial bricks will be replacing the blanks bricks now in place.

On September 24th, at 8:30 am, there will be a full Dedication Ceremony of the Memorial Walkway at the base of the London Bridge. Hundreds are expected to attend. Placing some very special bricks in the walkway will be the Wounded Warrior Soldier Riders. (https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/) If you would like to show support for these Freedom Fighters, then please order a brick in support of the Wounded Warrior Project, by using the simple on-line ordering system on this Freedom Bridge website.

Thank you.

Gary Meyers

Chairman, Freedom Bridge Project
www.HavasuFreedomBridge.com
Click for Bricks!

New Neighbor

noreply@blogger.com (Freedom Bridge Project) — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 21:02:00 +0000

For Immediate Release

World famous London Bridge to get a neighbor

LAKE HAVASU CITY, Ariz. One of the world's most famous bridges may soon be getting a neighbor thanks to the efforts of a group of volunteers known as the Freedom Bridge Foundation.

The Freedom Bridge Committee has big ideas that when they come to fruition, will add a memorial walkway complete with historical essays written by school children, statues memorializing veterans from various conflicts, a park complete with fountains, memorials, an amphitheatre and more, and an enhanced new bridge next door to the already famous London Bridge.

Few people haven't heard of the London Bridge, as it's "falling down" has been the subject of nursery school song since we were children. Many people even know that the London Bridge was purchased by Robert McCulloch, the famed chainsaw magnate, and relocated to the Arizona deserts in Lake Havasu City. Now efforts are underway to give that bridge a neighbor.

The London Bridge has stood in Lake Havasu City since 1971 as a testament to American ingenuity and creativity. It also serves as one of Arizona's most popular tourist attractions, boasting over 2 million visitors a year.

With that popularity, however, came increased traffic. Over 10,000 cars a day use the span to get to the hotels, restaurants and boat launch facilities located on the Island. Busy holiday weekends can triple that load, making the need for better access paramount.

"The city has known of the need for years and has been planning for years the addition of a second bridge to the island not only to take traffic off the London Bridge but to provide better traffic flow on and off the island," said city spokesperson Charlie Cassens.

"The London Bridge is a critical connection point, and if there were an incident blocking access to the bridge, people on the island could be stranded," he said.

As a result of increased need for a second bridge, city officials commissioned plans for a second bridge to increase access to the island. "Being that this is a project funded through tax dollars, the city commissioned a design for a traditional, overpass style of bridge," Cassens said.

-MORE-

That's where the Freedom Bridge Committee comes in. They are a group of volunteers who organized to do something special with the city's bridge plans. When it became evident that the scale of the ideas being generated was going to require ample fundraising efforts, the group created the Freedom Bridge Foundation to handle that aspect. Money is now being raised, mostly through the sale of memorial bricks that will create the memorial walkway, to make the bridge more than just an overpass, but a tribute, and a work of art worth of being placed next to the London Bridge.

"When we first started, the idea was to create a second bridge that was comparable in scope to the London Bridge, something that could not overshadow it, but compliment it as an additional attraction," said Gary Meyers, Chairman of the Freedom Bridge Committee.

"What resulted from those discussions was a plan of tremendous proportions that will not only add to the bridge the city builds, but also a Freedom Park, with memorials, a visitor center and much more."

The money for these improvements will come not from tax dollars, but from the sale of memorial bricks, that will make a walkway from the London Bridge to the new Freedom Bridge. While construction for the new bridge is still a year or two off, brick sales have already begun, and the walkway has been started.

"Interest in this project has been incredible," said Brian Wedemeyer, President of the Freedom Bridge Foundation, himself a veteran and a City Councilman in Lake Havasu City. "We've sold a tremendous amount of bricks considering the project just kicked off, and have received endorsements and letters of support from governors, state and federal legislators and more. The support for this kind of project, which honors our fighting men and women, without adding to the tax burden while creating revenue, is monumental."

Tourism officials agreed that the project would attract dollars to the city. "The scope of the project is very appealing," said Jarrod Lyman, vice president of the Lake Havasu City Convention and Visitors Bureau. "This project can be just as big to the city as the London Bridge is, and that is what put us on the map," he said.

The Freedom Bridge Foundation lists their objectives of the project as enhancing public access and safety with the second bridge, positively influencing economic vitality of the channel area, creating a memorial to freedom, all without adding an additional burden to the taxpayer.

-END-

For more information:

Larry Robinson

Executive Director

Freedom Bridge Foundation

Gary Meyers
www.HavasuFreedomBridge.com
Click for Bricks!

1st Half 2008 Report, Freedom Bridge Project

noreply@blogger.com (Freedom Bridge Project) — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 05:08:00 +0000

Semi-Annual Report Jan - June 2008

Chairman's Letter:

It is with great pleasure that I provide the first semi-annual progress report of the Freedom Bridge Foundation (FBF) of Lake Havasu City, Arizona.

The Freedom Bridge Foundation was formed during the fourth quarter of 2007, and officer positions were filled throughout the first half of 2008. By-laws were adopted and 501(c)(3) tax exempt status was applied for.

The objectives of the Foundation remain steadfast: (1) Provide improved public access and safety to the Island, (2) create a Memorial for Freedom, (3) enhance the Bridgewater Channel area of Lake Havasu City, and the region, and (4) accomplish these objectives without requesting additional taxpayer dollars and without delays.

The Freedom Bridge Foundation's primary activities will be centered around a series of fundraising events, beginning with the sale of Memorial Bricks to be placed on the Freedom Bridge Memorial Walkway along the shores of the Bridgewater Channel, and also in the Freedom Park, expected to be located along the channel adjoining the Freedom Bridge in an area currently known as a part of Windsor Site 4.

The financial condition of the FBF is sound. This is primarily the result of the extraordinary efforts by a long list of dedicated community volunteers, most of whom have contributed time, services, or goods toward the completion of a wide variety of needed projects, all working toward the above objectives. Where certain funds were needed for items such as printing materials, postage, outside professional services, etc., these needs were met with a small amount of seed money provided by a FBF Board member (see financial statements).

The Freedom Bridge Foundation has made significant accomplishments during its first six months of operation. An entire web-based fundraising business was conceived, product lines created, contracts signed, sales initiated, promotions, publicity, and advertising is underway, and the entire enterprise is now growing successfully with positive cash flow.

A local, regional, and soon-to-be national educational contest has begun by inviting students to write the Historical Essays on American Freedom. A committee was formed to promote this contest, evaluate, and select the entries for permanent location along the Memorial Walkway.

A fundraising partnership opportunity for all charities, civic groups, and veterans organizations was designed and is now functioning smoothly via the website ordering process for Memorial Bricks.

Numerous endorsements have been received, including from the Arizona Governor, Arizona Secretary of State, and the Arizona Superintendent of Schools. An endorsement is pending from a U.S. Senator (and presidential candidate). Local and regional veterans groups have endorsed this project. The Traveling Wall (American Veterans Traveling Tribute), a potentially huge visitor draw to Lake Havasu City, has been arranged. Permanent location for the Traveling Wall in Lake Havasu City's new Freedom Park is a distinct possibility.

A Freedom Bridge informational DVD has been produced and distributed nationally. It is also playing on the website and was featured at the Lake Havasu City Film Festival in April.

Initial architectural drafts for the Freedom Bridge site and Freedom Park areas were completed and widely distributed. Bridge designs have been submitted by architectural firms and additional indications of interest have been received. (The basic bridge design and construction is not the responsibility of the FBF; only the enhancements are expected to be financed by the fundraising activities of the FBF.)

Significant cooperation agreements have been secured with the City of Lake Havasu, as this project is expected to be a huge long-term economic benefit for the entire area.

In sum, the first half of 2008's accomplishments as listed above might be considered an extraordinary achievement by a large, diversified corporation. However, it is even more amazing that the FBF has completed the above as the result of the efforts of a handful of dedicated community volunteers. The FBF knows of no other similar project where the local citizens are selflessly volunteering to assist the local government in completing a much needed infrastructure project, without requesting taxpayer funds.

I wish to thank all those involved. We can be proud of our Foundation, and of its goal of highlighting America's Freedoms.

Gary Meyers

Chairman

Time Line of Events, Jan-June 2008

January 2008

Seed money received
Freedom Bridge website work begins
First FBF official meeting, officers elected, bylaws passed, committees identified, brick committee objectives discussed

February 2008

FBF PowerPoint presentation created
Bridge design suggestions received and discussed
First FB presentation made to Vietnam Veterans of America, Lake Havasu City, Az

March 2008

New DVD of entire Freedom Bridge project is completed.
FB logos created.
VFW endorsement received.
Website undergoes continuous development and improvement. Blog added, allowing public input.
Executive Director position filled.
Numerous new volunteers join the FBF.
GiftBricks Inc. sends representative to study FB Memorial Walkway project. Contracts negotiated.
Weekly memorial brick committee meetings begin.
Traveling Wall agrees to stage event in Lake Havasu City in March 2009.
Memorial Brick reservation process begins on website.
Historical Essay brick contest conceived and discussed.

April 2008

FBF presentation to Lake Havasu City Council. City signs MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) giving FBF permission to replace the Bridgewater Channel concrete walkways with Memorial Bricks.
FBF presentation to Arizona State Parks Department, requesting approval and redesignation of a small portion of Windsor Site 4 to become Freedom Park. Received draft of MOU giving approval for Freedom Park (awaiting final approval, expected in Sept 2008).
Corporate Freedom Funder program conceived and discussed.
Showing of the FBF DVD at the Lake Havasu City Film Festival, three consecutive days.
Brick sizes, medallions, pricing, and specific ordering process finalized.
Historical brick essay contest begins. Support received from local and statewide Superintendents of Schools.
Press releases on FBF's progress and successes are issued.
Speaking schedule on FB Project and Memorial Walkway begins.
Website (www.havasufreedombridge.com) goes live for brick orders.
Brick sales - print advertising begins.
Brochures created and printed.
Civic and veterans group applications received and fundraising partnerships initiated.
Front page newspaper articles, positive news coverage
Endorsements received from local and regional public officials.

May 2008

FBF Banners donated and displayed at separate locations.
Rotary Polio Plus fundraising partnership established (matching funds from Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation)
Brick sales tent and display at channel site.
Run For The Wall 20^th Anniversary cross-country event with 4,000 Freedom Bridge brochures distributed to veterans.
Run For The Wall blog on Freedom Bridge website become popularly viewed and greatly increases visits to website.
Civic Group bricks sales begin.
FBF Organizational chart created; numerous committees and projects identified.
Public Service Announcements, on donated time, begin on local radio stations.
Flags and flagpoles were donated and are now flying over the Bridgewater Channel on weekends, at the future Freedom Bridge site.

June 2008

Brick sales volumes begin to grow.
New brick order forms distributed, making donations easier.
Numerous additional press releases, TV, national radio coverage.
Secured fundraising partnership with Freedom Alliance national organization.
Az Governor and AZ Secretary of State endorsements of Freedom Bridge project received.
American Legion endorsement received.
Donations of bricks for families of soldiers from Mohave and La Paz counties KIA in Iraq/Afghanistan.
Presentation to CVB for funding and support for Traveling Wall event in March 2009.
Numerous presentations around LHC to civic groups, real estate firms.
Received multiple Corporate Freedom Funder commitments.
Agreements made for July 4^th weekend brick promotion at Wal-Mart.

Freedom quotes

noreply@blogger.com (Freedom Bridge Project) — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 02:05:00 +0000

My favorite quote about freedom is:
"For those that will fight for it, FREEDOM has a flavor the protected shall never know."
It was said by L/Cpl Edwin L. "Tim" Craft, B Co 3rd AT's, during the Vietnam War, at Khe Sanh Combat Base, February, 1968.

The story behind it is pretty interesting. Click here...
Tim Craft story about origin of his message in Vietnam

The Brick Solution

noreply@blogger.com (Freedom Bridge Project) — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 13:33:00 +0000

Economic conditions are tough, and getting tougher. It is prudent to be very careful on spending money. However, if you really want to make things worse, then stop planning for the future.

There is no doubt that the local and national economy are suffering from a combination of challenging events. The exuberant housing and construction markets have reversed into a sharp recession. Adding to those problems we now have higher energy and food prices fueling serious inflation concerns. Worse still, many folks are frustrated with Congress and a confrontational political process in which Americans have lost confidence.

How do we solve all these problems? A simple solution: Buy Bricks.

Lake Havasu City residents have a remarkable opportunity to change the direction of their local economy and their own fortunes. The building of a new visitor attraction, which includes the Freedom Park, the Freedom Memorial Walkway, and the Freedom Bridge, will bring visitors back to our city in droves. If we build it, they will come.

We have numerous amenities and activities to enjoy, and we are considerably less expensive than most other vacation destinations. Visitors will spend money on meals, hotels, and recreation. Some will eventually become residents (as did we) and become homebuyers, shoppers, and supporters of our economy.

The faster we can complete the Freedom Memorial Walkway and Freedom Park, then the faster we can help end our local recession. In other words, every brick you buy will shorten the waiting time for economic prosperity. Better yet, your gift brick donation will provide a growth catalyst without adding to the debt or tax burden on all our citizens.

Buy bricks. Buy early and often. Tell friends. Give a Memorial Brick as a holiday gift, or for a birthday, anniversary, graduation, sympathy, or new birth. What better way to honor and immortalize the people in your life?

Give a brick today, make a difference.
Gary Meyers
www.HavasuFreedomBridge.com
Click for Bricks!

noreply@blogger.com (Freedom Bridge Project) — Wed, 28 May 2008 06:19:00 +0000

FINAL RFTW WRAP-UP

My story didn't end on Friday, after all. On Saturday, a large group of RFTW participants, and a newspaper photographer, were gathered in the lobby of our hotel awaiting the arrival of a very special soldier. The door opened and a young man with both legs missing was wheeled in by an older man. The group erupted in thunderous and sustained applause to welcome home this soldier who had made a huge sacrifice in Iraq. He had recently returned from Iraq and had been invited to join us. His father, a veteran himself, accompanied his son. One by one, RFTW veterans thanked the young soldier for his service and sacrifice and hugged him. We grouped together, with the soldier in front, for a photograph. It’s a wonderful thing seeing our old warriors showing such deep respect for our young soldiers.

Also on Saturday, RFTW had its traditional group photo on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. Eddie and I were front and center, along with Pam and the ammo box containing her uncle's ashes. On Monday Eddie Livingston would finally be taken home to Alabama for burial. After the photo, RFTW placed a plaque at The Wall, as it does every year.

I carried out my guard duty at the Remembrance Table today; it was an honor I won't forget. The pages of the Remembrance Book were filling up with memories and tributes to the 58,000 men and women on The Wall. It will be left at The Wall tomorrow.

I visited the war memorials today. I never cease to marvel at the never-ending line of people at The Wall. It is the most popular memorial, revered not just by Vietnam veterans, but by all people. For reasons that may never be understood, The Wall has become an icon—a place where all feel a special tie to the men and women who died defending our freedoms. I think it’s because other memorials are statues or monuments to look at, but The Wall contains the names of those who were lost. It is so much more personal. People seem to feel so much more connected to The Wall.

I ran into Monsoon (Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 785 of Orange County, California) at the Korean Memorial. He was so excited he could hardly contain himself. He had just run into his old unit lieutenant from Vietnam. They hadn’t seen each other or even talked since they left Vietnam—and incredibly found each other near The Wall.

I’ve exchanged several emails with Richard Perricone while RFTW was on the road, and I plan to keep in touch with him. I’m so honored to have met him and excited about hopefully meeting him face to face one day. I also can’t wait to contact Barbara, who gave me his POW bracelet, and tell her all about him.

RFTW was hosted by the Assembly of God church in Arlington for a wonderful barbecue ribs and chicken dinner Saturday night. Last year was the first time the church hosted us, and they pledge to do so every year as long as we want to be their guests. While there, one of the Road Guards loaded his bike on our trailer for us to take it back home to California; the rider had to fly home to be at work on Monday. When Eddie and I were ready to leave, Eddie realized he had locked the keys inside the truck. The Road Guard called Triple A for us and laughed about the irony of a Chase Vehicle—which rescues riders—being rescued by a Road Guard. We’ll never hear the end of it.

The culmination of RFTW’s journey to Washington, D.C. every year is the Rolling Thunder parade on Sunday. This is the 21st year of the parade. Riders start assembling in one of the Pentagon parking lots at 6 a.m. There are so many motorcycles to stage for the parade—over 350,000 this year—that it takes until noon to get them all ready to start. The parade lasts almost four hours, and this year Marine Staff Sgt. Tim Chambers stood at attention—for the entire four hours—while Rolling Thunder riders paraded on Constitution Avenue.

After the parade, President Bush met with Rolling Thunder leaders on the south lawn of the White House, and they presented him with a Rolling Thunder motorcycle vest.

It’s been a memorable Run For The Wall this year. I met some wonderful people and listened to some great stories. But the main reason we do this every year is to raise awareness of our POWS, MIAs, and KIAs who have not yet been brought home. Pressure from RFTW, Rolling Thunder, and other POW groups has resulted in the creation of JPAC (Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command), which has been making identifications and recoveries almost daily.

But there are still about 78,000 remains unrecovered from World War II (although about 43,000 of those are deemed unrecoverable because they were lost at sea). There are more than 8,100 unrecovered from the Korean War, and 1,700 from Vietnam. One is still missing from Desert Storm and one from the Gulf War.

We must never rest until they have all come home.

Our soldiers and veterans need to know that we care. When you see a soldier or a veteran, please tell him or her “welcome home—and thank you for your service.”

Judy

noreply@blogger.com (Freedom Bridge Project) — Sat, 24 May 2008 03:15:00 +0000

DAY 10 - Friday, May 23, 2008
Rainelle, WV to Washington, D.C.

At the morning meeting it was announced that one of our riders had never received his service ribbons and medals after serving in Vietnam. After more than 40 years, his wife just called him to tell him the government realized the oversight and he will receive a slew of ribbons and medals, including a bronze star.

It was also announced that the final tally of the money collected and given to the school in Rainelle was a little over $20,000. They will be able to buy much-needed school supplies with that.

Eddie Livingston’s and C.R. Ball’s ashes are being carried by various riders. Eddie and I have been carrying them for days and we’ll miss them. I wish we could go to Alabama with Pam and Jim for Eddie’s funeral. Eddie has gotten a lot of recognition as we came across the U.S.; Pam was interviewed today by a TV news station that will go national with the story. A lot of people know Eddie’s story now and are angry that a veteran was allowed to fall through the cracks and become destitute and live his final days in an indescribably filthy hovel. Pam showed us pictures of the shack she found Eddie and his wife Helen living in; it was hard to believe a human being in the richest and greatest country in the world had to live like that. And it was harder to believe that no one knew how they lived and that no one did something about it. Pam had never met her Uncle Eddie until her brother found him and told her about the conditions Eddie and Helen were living in. Pam drove to Alabama and got Eddie and took him home to live with her in Northern California until he died about a year and a half later. Eddie’s wife Helen had broken a hip just before and was in the hospital, where she died two weeks after Pam had taken Eddie home. She had planned on going back for Helen when she had recovered enough to travel. Because the VA would not treat him he had no medication and had become paranoid and distrustful. He feared that the VA or someone would come and put him in an institution.

Pam is hopeful that with the publicity Eddie’s story is receiving on Run For The Wall, and with the movie of his life coming out in the near future, what happened to Eddie will not happen again to other veterans.

We entered Virginia at 9 a.m. under a cloud cover, but it soon lifted and the sun was shining brightly. It’s a beautiful day to drive into D.C. For miles and miles we traveled through gorgeous hills covered with tall trees, spotting an occasional stream. There is mountain range after mountain range as far as the eye can see. Highway 64 is one of the most beautiful drives in America. Here and there water trickled down rocks next to the road. They get a lot of rain in this part of the country and everything is lush.

Our “truck talkers” are still working every minute of the day. Every few miles we hear some new truckers as they come upon almost 500 motorcycles: “There’s a s---load of motorcycles coming your way ”; “Damn I’ve never seen so many bikes ”; “Wish I was ridin’ with y’all”’ “I’m a veteran – maybe I’ll ride with y’all next year.” When we approached D.C. a trucker told us “You’re lookin’ good – lookin’ good. It’s nice when the plan comes together.” With Bounce and Crazy plying them with compliments (“God Bless the great American trucker – without you America would come to a stop”), they became eager to please. They would tell us which exit they wanted to get off and Bounce and Crazy would call the platoon nearing that exit and have them ease off to let the trucker in. When our Chase Vehicles would get cut off by traffic, we would ask the truckers to help us out (“Hey, WalMart, can you ease up and let our Chase Vehicles in?” or “Fed Ex, if you move to the right we’ll go on by and get out of your way.”), and a truck would move over to hold up traffic and let our vehicle move up. This is the first year anyone has seen such cooperation between bikers and truckers. Great job, Bounce and Crazy!

Our 88-year-old rider made it all the way on the back of her son’s motorcycle, and our youngest rider, an 8-month-old baby girl riding in a Chase Vehicle, did also, with very little fussing.

We had only two stops today: Raphine for fuel and Tom’s Brook for fuel and lunch. At the Raphine fuel stop, an employee came out with trays of breakfast and pepperoni pizza pieces – what a nice thing to do!

Today was a tough ride – traffic is always horrendous going into D.C. We had a police escort, front and back, from Tom’s Brook to Arlington, where our hotels are. Even so, imagine the logistical nightmare of herding 500 motorcycles through heavy traffic on the freeway and on surface streets. Then double that – because our Southern Route had arrived in D.C. almost moments before our Central Route.

I just remembered something that happened on Wednesday. When we were at the Kentucky Memorial, the speaker said RFTW’s schedule and timing was extraordinary. “You left California eight days ago and managed to arrive here within three minutes of your target time. I don’t know how you can do that!” We can do that because we have so many volunteers who begin working right after a Run ends to get ready for the next year’s Run. And we’ve had twenty years now to perfect the operation.

Have been getting many emails from people who have been reading this blog – I am so honored to have been instrumental in bringing word of RFTW’s mission to so many people. Ours is a very noble mission, and it is so important that more people be shaken from their complacency and realize that freedom isn’t free. Here’s one note I received:

Judy . . . thank you so much for including me on your mailing list the the RFTW. I have been following your journey each day – what a marvelous writer you are.

Thanks for the daily reports, and my heartfelt and grateful thanks to the veterans who make this journey, and to all those whose names line The Wall. Just a month ago I had the honor of visiting The Wall and the other War Memorials in Washington – what a beautiful and sobering experience it was.

God bless you all, and have a safe journey home.

Lee.

RFTW has added something new this year at our host hotel in D.C. A Remembrance Table, sometimes called the POW Table, is set up in the lobby. This is a table to remember and honor our POWs, MIAs, and KIAs. Here is an explanation from Rolling Thunder:

Remembrance Table

The chairs are empty. They are not with us today.

Remember

The tablecloth is white symbolizing the purity of the soldiers as they went off to serve their country.

Remember

The bread plates are sprinkled with salt symbolizing the tears shed by the families as they await the fate of their loved ones.

Remember

There is a lemon on each plate indicative of the bitterness these soldiers must feel at being left behind by their country.

Remember

The glasses are inverted. They cannot toast with us this season.

Remember

The red rose symbolizes the love the families and their fellow comrades have for these soldiers.

Remember

The red ribbon on the vase symbolizes the hope we all have that someday these brave men and women will be returned to their families and their country.

Remember

Included on the Table is a book for everyone to write their memories of their fallen comrades and their prayers for all of our POWs, KIAs, and MIAs on this Memorial Day. The book will be left at The Wall. The Remembrance Table is guarded 24 hours a day while we’re in D.C., and we’re taking turns guarding it. My Guard Duty will be from 4to 5 p.m. today.

Our mission is completed for another year, and it’s official: the largest crowd to appear on an overpass through the entire country was in Lake Havasu City, Arizona!

On Sunday Run For The Wall and the many other veterans and POW advocacy groups will come together at the Pentagon parking lot to stage and participate in Rolling Thunder, the largest motorcycle parade in the world -- usually about a half million motorcycles. The thunder will serve to tell our government that we will not forget our men and women left behind and to demand that they be found and brought home. Forty years is much too long to make families wait to get their loved ones back.

Tonight most of us visited the Wall. Many veterans prefer to visit the Wall at night because there are fewer people and because they get so emotional there. In the dark people are less likely to see their tears. Our chaplains stand at The Wall, ready to comfort those veterans who are facing their 40-year-old demons for the first time.

The Wall is not just a monument; it’s a living thing to veterans. The names on the Wall are not just names, but real people -- their comrades in arms. Veterans touch a name on the Wall and it’s as though they are touching that person. They find their buddies’ names and they cry out of guilt that they came home but their friends didn’t.

People leave all kinds of things at the Wall: combat boots, photos, service medals, a rose, a letter. Years ago even a motorcycle was left at the Wall – by someone with Run For The Wall. The Wall and the names on it are so real to our veterans that they believe the men and women behind the names can see what they leave for them. The veteran who left the motorcycle was telling his buddies “I remember. I remember that we talked about coming home and buying motorcycles and riding across the country. I want you to have this motorcycle and come ride with me.”

Everything that is left at the Wall is collected every night, cataloged, and stored in a huge warehouse. One day a museum will be built near the Vietnam Wall to present a rotating display of the items left at the Wall.

There have been many reunions among Vietnam War buddies during the Run. Some have been keeping in touch, some haven’t seen each other or talked since the war but miraculously run into each other on the way across the country. The power of the Wall is so great that our soldiers and veterans feel drawn to it but repelled at the same time. Many simply cannot face the Wall and the searing memories it brings back. Some take years to finally face it; others will die without having faced it. And as long as there are Vietnam veterans living, they will continue to seek out their brothers, and they will continue to make their voices heard in Washington, D.C. every Memorial Day until the remains of every POW, MIA, and KIA are brought back home.

Until next year,
Judy
Never Forget

noreply@blogger.com (Freedom Bridge Project) — Fri, 23 May 2008 02:56:00 +0000

DAY 9 - Thursday, May 22, 2008
Hurricane, WV to Rainelle, WV

Before the morning meeting I found the woman who just became a U.S. citizen. Rosemarie is from Zimbabwe, has been in America six years and became a U.S. citizen just before leaving on RFTW. Her son became a citizen two years before her, and her daughter will be next.

What a delightful woman! It warmed my heart to hear her talk about how honored she feels to be an American now. She said “I tell everyone I’m not an African or black-American, I’m just an American!” America is the greatest country in the world, she said, the land of opportunities. She told me in Africa there is so much poverty and so much sickness. When her late husband bought a new wheelchair, they kept the old wheelchair to give to someone who needed it desperately. One day she was driving to town to shop for groceries and saw an old, old woman carrying a 6-year-old child on her back. She stopped and asked the woman why she was doing that, and the woman replied that the child was severely disabled and that was the only way she could carry him. The child’s parents had both died of Aids and she was taking care of him and an older child. Rosemarie told her to get in the car and she took her to her house and gave her the wheelchair. She told the woman now you can put the child in the chair and push him when you go for groceries. The woman told her she doesn’t shop as she had no money for food. Rosemarie sent the woman home with food and told her to come to her house every month, and until she moved to America she gave her food every month.

What a wonderful opportunity we have to meet people as we cross the U.S. every year –and what wonderful stories we hear.

We say the Pledge of Allegiance every morning, of course, and since the new law this year that allows veterans and active duty out of uniform to salute rather than place their hand over their heart, all of our vets choose to salute. What a beautiful sight to see hundreds of hands snap to attention, no matter that they’re in leathers and doo-rags. They may be 60 and suffering with a variety of ailments, but when they salute they stand ramrod straight and render a sharp salute. Their loyalty and pride in their service is evident.

This morning a dozen Army National Guard soldiers are riding with us to D.C. Five active duty Marines in dress blues were here to greet us. When we pulled out of the parking lot, they stood and saluted the pack. There is such mutual respect between the young and old soldiers.

Our Truck Talkers (Eddie calls them “truck whisperers!”) are still in constant contact with truckers on the road. They have made a huge difference in truckers’ attitude toward the inconvenience we cause them. People often assume we’re Hell’s Angels or some other biker gang because we all wear “colors” – but they obviously don’t notice that many of the vests bear names like “Disciples of Christ” and “Christian Motorcyclists Association.”

“Inconvenience” is putting it mildly. Yesterday and today we’ve had so many new riders join us that our line traveling down the highway is three to three and a half miles long. We keep a couple of car lengths between platoons to allow cars and trucks to pass through to exits, but other drivers often panic when they see so many motorcycles or are so intimidated that they freeze and almost come to a complete stop. It creates traffic jams, which everyone blames on us when all they need to do is keep moving.

A bike pulling a small open trailer joined us today; his German Shepherd is riding in the trailer. That dog was so happy riding that he barked at every car; people drove by and laughed at the sight. One state trooper who was directing traffic (which was at a standstill) got his camera and took a picture of the dog.

Our first stop was the Capitol building in Charleston. The gold dome on the capitol is so beautiful. Charleston has a wonderful memorial to all wars: it’s a circular set of four walls with space between each wall. Around the memorial is a moat with water and bridges to each of the four openings. Inside of the four walls are black granite with names engraved of the KIA from West Virginia during WWI, WWII, Korea, and Vietnam wars. Sadly, great damage was recently done to the memorial by someone who drove a small car right through the openings.

Ceremonies were held by the memorial, during which a bagpiper played. The governor of West Virginia, Joe Manchin, greets us each year. He is an avid motorcyclist and usually joins us on his motorcycle as far as Glen Ferris, about a half hour down the road. Then he pulls off and salutes the entire Run. This year he was unable to join us because of pressing business, but he mingled with us and joined us for our traditional group photo on the grand steps of the Capitol.

I just remembered something awesome that I saw yesterday. While we were riding through a town past groups of people I saw a man give us the “thank you sign.” Perhaps you’ve seen it on a YouTube video that urged people to thank our military. It suggested that if you don’t feel comfortable going right up to soldiers to thank them for their service, you could give “the sign.” You place your right hand over your heart then pull it away and down – toward the person you’re thanking. It’s a beautiful gesture and I hope more and more people will start using it. Our troops know what it means, and they are grateful to see it. It’s a way you can let our heroes know that we really care about them.

There is nothing more beautiful than the lush green hills of West Virginia, and this morning we were able to see them clearly without the usual thick fog settling down in the valleys. This is the most beautiful ride of the entire Run; you can’t help but marvel over the greenness everywhere you look. It is about 70 miles from Charleston to Rainelle, and all the way gently winding roads bring you down off the mountain, although there are also some hairpin turns. All the way is green – the road is speckled with the shade of huge trees, and most of the way the Kenawah River rushes alongside the road. At Glen Ferris short waterfalls stretch across the width of the river.

We pass many lumber trucks and coal trains on the way to Rainelle. Train conductors pull their horns and whistles when they see us. Every so often we pass by a tiny town. These people have lived there for many years and they know when the Run For The Wall is due; they are standing or sitting in front of their homes, holding flags, waiting for us to pass through. We pass several schools on the way, and a few years ago, only two schools brought out the children to see us go by. This year every single school had all of the children out front, lined up, waving flags. What a sight! Veterans are their heroes, and our veterans love the children.

When we arrived in Rainelle, people lined the streets and all of the children were taken out of school and lined up along the street They screamed with delight when they saw the veterans. The bikes were parked right in the street and the street was closed to most traffic. We poured into the front yard of the school to talk to the kids. I eventually found Misty, a girl I met 6 years ago. It seems like I’ve watched her grow up – she’s now almost 17. The children had autograph books, t-shirts, and other things for the vets to sign. And many of us had trinkets to give the kids. They ask us not to give the kids candy, because the school is trying to teach the kids the importance of good nutrition.

After the kids were taken back inside the classrooms we went into the school cafeteria for lunch. A lot of parents baked salads and desserts. One parent was in the schoolyard handing out baggies with homemade cookies to riders. In the cafeteria, flags from each branch of the service hang overhead, and the walls around the room were covered with pictures of veterans from previous years. After school, some parents brought back their children, and they were so excited when our riders took them for rides up and down the street.

Everyone is so tired – after I post this I’m going to bed. Our campers set up their tents in the schoolyard, the city hall, and a church.

Tomorrow we reach our destination: Washington D.C.

Judy

noreply@blogger.com (Freedom Bridge Project) — Thu, 22 May 2008 21:26:00 +0000

DAY 8 - Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Corydon, IN to Hurricane, WV

Sorry this wasn't posted last night -- I couldn't get an Internet connection in the own we stayed in. If it happens again, I'll post the following night.

What a great surprise we had waiting for us at the morning meeting: 3 active duty soldiers from Ft. Knox are going to travel with us in their Humvee, and we’ll be accompanied overhead by two AH-64 Apache helicopters.

Cpt. Nathan Chesneckek, Cpl. Jamison Wright, and Sgt. Brandon Nelson, from the 8/229th Aviation Regiment, will go with us as far as the Louisville Veterans Administration Medical Center. They will be in contact along the way with the helicopters. Never one to miss a photo op, I took a picture of them with Wally the bear. I’m sure the kids will love seeing that when I send Wally back to them.

When we were ready to leave, we heard one of the Apaches approaching, the drone getting louder and louder, but couldn’t see it. Then it rose above a stand of trees, and it was an indescribable sight. It gave me goosebumps, and the veterans cheered. One of them told me that they have two different feelings when hearing and seeing Apaches and Hueys. They were happy to see Hueys because they usually were coming to rescue them, and they were happy to see Apaches because they had the big guns that the enemy feared.

What a beautiful day It was sunny, about 65 degrees at 8 a.m. I was really looking forward to riding proudly with the Humvee and hearing the helicopters. But we didn’t get the chance; right after we got on the interstate we were flagged down by one of the chaplains with a disabled bike. By the time we took him to a shop for repair, the pack had reached the VAMC and the Humvee and helicopters had departed.

But the disappointment was short-lived, for when we arrived at the VAMC we learned that Robley Rex was there to see us. “Rex” is the last living World War I veteran from Kentucky, one of only about 25 remaining WWI veterans in the world. He is 107 years old and until just last year he was volunteering at the hospital, with more volunteer hours than anyone else. He has been presented with many awards for his dedication to other veterans. When RFTW first met Rex years ago, our vets gave him a leather vest and every year we would put more pins and patches on it. When we arrived at the hospital, the first thing we would do is bring a bike up and put Rex on it for photos. He loved the attention. And he still did today. But he's too frail to put him on a motorcycle.

Rex is now fragile, although in reasonably good health, and is living in an assisted living facility. He’s incredible: he’s never without a smile and still enjoys bantering with fellow veterans. It won’t be long before these national treasures will all be gone.

"Billy Popcorn" was at the hospital as he always is when we arrive. He got the name because he volunteers at the hospital and often sells the popcorn. Billy and his twin brother served in Vietnam together; they were together when his brother was killed. Billy held him in his arms and has never forgotten that day. Last year he gave a bag of popcorn to one of our vets to take to the Wall. That bag of popcorn at the Wall, with "With love to my brother" written on it, had so many people in tears. Billy has never been to the Wall; he doesn't think he could take it. When people offer to take him with us to the Wall, Billy just says, "Well, maybe some day." Someone made a rubbing of his brother's name on the Wall and sent it to Billy.

The pack is getting so big; we’re picking up more riders as we continue east: Rolling Thunder chapters, Task Force Omega members, American Legion riders, Disciples for Christ, Christian Motorcycle Association members, Patriot Guard Riders. Many make this Run year after year, and they all have the same reason for doing it – making sure our government never forgets that there are still soldiers who haven’t been brought back home yet.

Kentucky is one of the most beautiful states – I never tire of seeing the lush green rolling hills dotted with horse farms and fences. And it is home to one of the most extraordinary Veterans Memorial in the U.S. The Kentucky Vietnam Veterans Memorial sits on top of a hill with green grass as far as you can see. In the distance the gold dome of the Kentucky Capitol rises above the trees.

The Memorial is a giant sundial in the center of a granite plaza. Scattered around the plaza in seemingly random order are names and dates. These are the men and women of Kentucky who were KIA in Vietnam. The sundial was designed in such a way that its shadow falls on the name of the person who died on that day. It is truly an engineering phenomenon. When designs were requested internationally, there were 13 final choices. The names of the architects were covered to avoid bias. The sundial was the unanimous choice. When the card was turned over, the judges discovered the architect wasn’t an internationally acclaimed architect but a local man, Helm Roberts from Lexington, Kentucky – and he was a Navy veteran. That made the Memorial very personal to Kentuckians. And today he was present and spoke a few words to us.

Besides the names of Kentucky KIAs, at the base of the sundial are the names of Kentucky MIAs. A few have been brought home and identified, and their names are then removed from the MIA section and engraved in their appropriate place on the plaza.

As we were leaving, a rider from another motorcycle group that was pulling in as we were leaving came up to Eddie and me and asked if we knew who the lady was from Lake Havasu who is writing the daily reports on the RFTW. Is that a coincidence, or what? He said he’s been reading the reports because he couldn’t go to D.C. with us. A number of people have told me they told friends to follow my blog on www. havasufreedombridge.com, so the Freedom Bridge is getting some good exposure. I also met another vet from Lake Havasu, who wants to help on the Freedom Bridge Project. When I moved to Havasu I thought I was the only one with RFTW, but little by little I'm finding more of them.

We feel almost guilty enjoying the beautiful weather. Our Central and Southern Route coordinators talk every night to update each other, and SR was pelted by hail yesterday. But our turn is coming – there’s supposed to be rain tonight in West Virginia. SR also has had no major accidents or injuries.

For the past three years Eddie and I have picked up a bike or two just before Huntington, West Virginia. Today was no exception; a rider flagged us down and we knew just where the nearest shop was. It’s the most interesting Harley Davidson shop I’ve ever seen; it has a 50s diner in it. The floor is black and white checked linoleum, and it has neon lights and chrome stools.

Two more chase vehicles have joined us, so we have 5 now – and we’re all being kept busy. Just as we got ready to leave the shop, one of our other chase vehicles pulled in. The rider was someone we had picked up last year – and brought to the same shop.

We ended the day in Hurricane, West by God Virginia, at Yamaha Motorsports. To emphasize just how big and respected RFTW is, many Harley Davidson and other shops are closed on Sundays and/or Mondays but they open when they know RFTW is coming through. A shop last night stayed open until midnight to service bikes, and another one opened about 5 a.m. so riders could get in and out and not get left behind the pack.

Yamaha Motorsports is always very good to us. They serve a great spaghetti dinner with ice cream for dessert. They also let us camp on their grassy area. Unfortunately, it rains so much here that the grass is muddy and the campers have to pitch their tents on the higher areas. One year it poured during the night and all the tents were washed out. But the hard-core campers are tough; they keep coming back.

I heard a very special story today. A woman riding with us just became a U.S. citizen a few days before RFTW left California. She is so happy to be an American now. I’ve got to find her tomorrow and talk to her.

Eight days on the road – we’re all getting tired. But tomorrow we’ll be in Rainelle and when we see the children we’ll forget all about being tired.

Judy

noreply@blogger.com (Freedom Bridge Project) — Wed, 21 May 2008 03:03:00 +0000

DAY 7 - Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Wentzville, MO to Corydon, IN

I wish every day started with the kind of breakfast the auxiliary ladies of the VFW in Wentzville prepared for us They start cooking about 2 in the morning to be ready to start serving us about 5 a.m. We had scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, hash brown potatoes, biscuits and gravy, fruit, juice – even toast or bagels. It was a crisp but nice morning and many of us sat outside and ate.

I couldn’t believe it, but Eddie (my son) took Eddie Livingston’s ashes to the VFW bar last night for a drink with his buddies. He told his story to the veterans there, and someone bought a drink for Eddie L and they all toasted him. As new groups of veterans came in, more drinks were bought for Eddie L, and the guys saluted him This morning Eddie told Pam what he had done and she laughed and said Eddie would have loved that. Eddie continued to ride with us on the trailer all day. Pam had also sent Eddie’s favorite hat and his wallet with our Southern Route, and they’ve been keeping in touch with Pam.

A movie is being made about Eddie Livingstone; his part will be played by the actor who played Forrest Gump as a young boy.

RFTW is getting so big that we had to stage a quarter mile down the road at a church parking lot. We now have a little more than 500 motorcycles, and we had to create an 8th platoon.

The rider who went down yesterday may have cracked some ribs and they’re really hurting him this morning, so we put his bike on our trailer and he rode in a car today so hopefully he’ll heal a little and be able to ride again tomorrow.

Before we left the Wentzville VFW, a local woman came up to me and asked if I would take “Wally” the bear home with me. She started this a few years ago as a project for her six children to learn about RFTW and veterans. Each person who takes Wally takes pictures of him participating in the rest of the Run, writes a little about what he experienced along the way, and ships him back to her. This is going to be fun The first picture I took was Wally sitting on one of the bikes on the trailer, to show that he helped on a chase vehicle. When we get to Charleston, West Virginia, I’ll try to introduce him to the Governor.

The ladies’ auxiliary also sent a bear to the Wall with one of our riders. “Gizmo” is dressed in Army fatigues and sings Lee Greenwood’s “I Love the USA.”

When we leave Wentzville, we always visit their Vietnam Veterans Memorial before we leave. It’s the very first Vietnam Memorial built in the USA. We also take a group photo in front of the Memorial, and Eddie Livingston was in the photo with us. A lot of the schoolchildren are brought to the area and they line up along the street to talk to our veterans.

Our first stop this morning was at the Veterans Medical Center in Jackson Barracks, MO. We have stopped here for many years to visit the patients. When we arrive the patients who are ambulatory walk or are wheeled outside, and some are rolled out on their gurneys so they can watch us arrive. They just love it when RFTW comes to town. After parking the bikes, everyone scattered to various buildings and walked through the halls talking to patients. It’s so heart-warming watching our veterans minister to the patients. No matter how much loved ones shower them with attention and love, nothing makes them feel cared about and understood as much as talking to fellow veterans. They talk war stories or whatever the patients want to talk about, and the nurses tell us the patients are so happy for a long time after we’ve been there.

While we were at the VAMC, a reporter from Full Throttle magazine interviewed me about Richard Perricone’s POW bracelet. He had asked one of our riders what he felt was the most memorable thing that’s happened on the Run this year, and he told him about the bracelet and sent him over to talk to me.

We have an active duty soldier from Australia going to the Wall with us this year. “Gryphy” flies an Australian flag on her bike. She lives in Adelaide.

In O’Fallon, MO there was a large group of people on an overpass with flags (but although they had fire trucks and police cars, the number o people was smaller than Lake Havasu) Havasu still holds the record.

Late this afternoon we decided to go ahead of the pack and get to the overnight stop early – until a blown tire on our trailer changed our plans. The tire was completely shredded – good thing we had a spare. Eddie was changing the tire when the pack passed us, so we got a different view of the Run – from eye level. Later we got a lot of calls and jokes about calling Chase 1 needing a Chase Vehicle.

Today’s last stop was Corydon, IN. Corydon has to be the most beautiful small, all-American town in the U.S. The buildings and houses look like they were built during the Civil War, many of brick in the federal style. Many houses have wrap-around porches and gingerbread, and beautiful flowers are blooming in every garden. Most streets are lined with large shade trees. The shops in the downtown area look as though time stopped in the 1940s and 1950s. We had a police escort to the Harrison County Fairgrounds, where dinner was served. They always have a fabulous fish fry, second to none.

Everyone is getting tired by now, and tents went up quickly and others went straight to their hotels to get some shut-eye. Tomorrow will be a busy day: traffic will be even heavier, and we look forward to visiting another VA hospital and also the Kentucky Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

Judy

noreply@blogger.com (Freedom Bridge Project) — Tue, 20 May 2008 05:05:00 +0000

DAY 6 - Monday, May 19, 2008
Junction City, KS to Wentzville, MO

Following this morning’s meeting, the 5th Platoon went to the Topeka VA Medical Center to visit with patients for a couple of hours and will rejoin us down the road

These first few days have been easy riding. Traffic hasn’t been bad, and the motorcycles have been riding in a rather loose formation. From Kansas on, the traffic will get bad and we’ll have to keep in a tighter formation to keep from getting separated. We’ve had few bike problems up until now, but today was terrible. Three of the bikes in the chaplains platoon collided and created a horrendous traffic jam. Eddie and I pulled over to see if any of them needed to be trailered, but one rider pulled his fender away from a tire and they all were able to go on. Later on we became separated from the main pack and followed six or eight bikes when they took an offramp. They stopped right on the ramp and the first rider jumped off his bike and stumbled to the side. We figured he must be sick. The bikes all stopped right on the ramp and no cars could get by – traffic backed up onto the freeway. A police car was there within a few minutes; it turned out the rider got something in his eye and couldn’t see. He panicked and got off the freeway. Unfortunately, there was no onramp there, but the police escorted us about five miles through a residential area back onto the freeway.

Five minutes after we got back on the I-70, a pickup truck next to us was going too fast and couldn’t stop in time when traffic braked, and he lost control. The truck spun around several times, narrowly missing us, and ended up sliding into the center median. We pulled over but neither the driver or passenger was injured.

Near Kansas City we have to go on a toll road. ABATE of Kansas and area VFWs pay for our tolls every year. To save time, someone counts the bikes and other vehicles, and the toll is paid in one lump sum. They also paid for gas for the bikes and support vehicles at the same stop. There are so many organizations that want to support RFTW’s mission, and they do it by providing meals or paying for gas.

Local news vans sometimes show up at one of our stops to interview our veterans. Today a news station heard about the ashes of Eddie Livingston being carried to the Wall, and they interviewed Eddie’s niece, Pam, who is traveling all the way to the Wall with us.. Different bikes have been taking turns carrying Eddie’s ashes across the country, and Eddie’s ashes happened to be on our trailer at the time of the interview. In fact, we had the ashes of two World War II heroes with us. Jim Ball, the son of C.R Ball, was also taking his father’s ashes to the Wall. Ball and Livingston served together and both were Medal of Honor recipients. It is only fitting that they both travel together now.

American Legion Riders with Placerville, California's Post 119, with help from various states’ Patriot Guard Riders, are riding with Eddie Livingston's ashes with Run For The Wall to Washington, D.C., and then to Dothan, Alabama, where Livingston's wife Helen is buried.

Eddie shed his blood on all five battlefields; he had 7 purple hearts, 3 bronze star medals (1 with V for Valor), 2 Presidential Unit Citations, and was awarded but never actually received the Distinguished Service Cross for Normandy. Dan Jordan, president of the Placerville chapter, contacted Livingston's niece, Pam Baker of Livermore, about the trip after finding a website Baker created to tell her uncle's story. “I always wanted Eddie taken over by his comrades,” said Baker, who took care of her uncle the last 18 months of his life. “This is what Eddie would have done for them. There are so many people that do the Run For The Wall,” Jordan said. “You're going to have all those veterans together ... sharing stories. (Livingston's) story will be another one to be told along the way.”

Livingston grew up in Alabama and lied about his age to join the Army when he was 15, according to Baker. He served with the 82nd Airborne, 504th Infantry, 3rd Battalion, 'I' Company and jumped in Africa, then fought in five European campaigns: Sicily, Salerno, Cassino, Anzio and Normandy—where he was captured as a POW, she said. While a POW he served time in Bergen-Belsen and Buchenwald, where he was made to work on cleanup crews. They had to watch Jews tortured and killed and Livingston told Baker that he had to clean the blood off the walls and floor. In April of 1945, after numerous injuries, Livingston was liberated and returned home, where he was deemed unfit for future service and discharged, Baker said. Then another fight began—with the Department of Veterans Affairs.

People think World War II veterans were taken care of after the war, Baker said, “but that's not true for all.” It took nearly two decades for Livingston—who received multiple injuries in the war and suffered from post traumatic stress disorder—to get the benefits he earned. By then he completely distrusted his government and people.

Baker and her brother found their uncle and his wife living in an 'uninhabitable' home in Alabama in 2000. The house had no electricity or running water; Livingston and his wife Helen had been living that way for over 30 years. He was paranoid and did not trust people. Eddie was placed into the mental ward of the local hospital. After a brief stay in the hospital and another fight with the government about medical tests, Livingston came out to California to live with his niece. “He caught the bus with just the clothes on his back,” Baker said, adding that Helen died three weeks after her husband left.

Eddie Livingston died on March 22, 2002, at possibly age 80. Livingston has two birthdays so, Baker said, she wasn't sure exactly how old he was. Keeping with his simple life mentality, Livingston had requested cremation and placement “where the grass is green.” “The grass is green where his wife is,” Baker said, explaining her decision to take Livingston back to Alabama. “She stood by him. And now the veterans are standing by Livingston with the pledge to take him home and share his story.”

RFTW often has problems with truckers being annoyed and downright angry about so many motorcycles getting in their way. We try hard to stay out of their way and to give them plenty of room to move around and get on and off the freeways, but it’s almost impossible to make them happy. This year we have two truckers who are also veterans, and they offered to keep up chatter with truckers to try to appease them. Many of us carry CBs and monitor the truckers, and we explain who we are and what we’re doing. Some are understanding and tell our veterans thank you for their service, but others only care about getting us out of their way. “Bounce” and “Crazy” talk to them all day long, telling the RFTW story over and over to truckers as they pass us. They build a rapport with the them, and the truckers end up calming down and wishing us luck on our journey. When a trucker complains about not being able to get off the freeway at his exit, Bounce or Crazy will radio to our road guards, who then make a “hole” for the trucks to pass through. It was a great idea, and it’s working well

Today’s travels ended at Wentzville, MO, a favorite stop for RFTW. The local VFW has a wonderful hall on acres of grass and trees – plenty of room for our campers. They have shuttle vans to take campers to the local school for showers, and they always have a wonderful meal for us. Afterwards we enjoyed the camaraderie late into the night.

We have almost 500 motorcycles now, and about 60 percent of our participants are FNGs. This is good, as it means that more and more veterans are coming with us for the first time and seeking healing.

Judy

RUN FOR THE WALL - DAY 5

noreply@blogger.com (Freedom Bridge Project) — Mon, 19 May 2008 04:04:00 +0000

DAY 5 - Sunday, May 18, 2008
Burlington, CO to Junction City, KS

I was sure I wasn’t going to be able to post yesterday’s report here last night. Once again I couldn’t get an Internet connection, but the motel manager told me when I was ready to post, to bring my computer to the office and he would connect me directly to their modem. Around 9 p.m. I finally finished writing my report and took my computer to the office. The manager took me down a dark flight of stairs into the basement. It was pitch dark except for some bare bulbs on the ceiling. He led me through about three small rooms, turning on lights along the way. It was cold and dusty, and old tables and chairs and other pieces of furniture were stacked all over. We ended up in a very small room with a lot of wiring and computer equipment. There, sitting on a box, was a modem. He plugged in my computer and I was able to post Days 3 and 4. When I finished, I checked my email – and there was an email from the ex-POW Richard Perricone! We talked about the bracelet with his name on it and he hopes to be able to meet Barbara one day. We agreed to stay in touch. I am so unbelievably moved by this experience and am so thankful that Barbara approached me to take the bracelet to the Wall.

Breakfast this morning was held at the Burlington VFW beginning at 5:30 a.m. This VFW hall is the most beautiful I’ve ever seen. It looked brand new, and out front, on top of a 20-foot column, was perched a huey helicopter.

On Sundays, one of our chaplains conducts a non-denominational service. This morning it was held at the VFW just before the morning meeting. I was heavily attended, and participation in the praise singing was good.

During the meeting, Hammer told the story of the POW bracelet I was given and that I had located and made contact with the ex-POW. Everyone was so moved by the story and whooped and applauded. There are many stories like this one that we hear every day on Run For The Wall. We even discover now and then that one of our riders met someone while on the Run that they served with in Vietnam.

We started out so good the first few days with very few downed bikes, but today everything changed. With one chase vehicle gone we’re down to three, and it seemed that bikes were breaking down every few miles. Before we left Burlington we had space for only one more bike; the other trailers were full. If one more bike broke down, we’d have no way to pick it up. To make matters worse, no motorcycle shops are open on Sundays, and many are closed on Mondays also. That meant we couldn’t drop off any bikes to make room for others. The Chase drivers and Route Coordinator were talking about what we could possibly do when a woman who just joined us this morning came to tell us she was pulling a trailer if we needed help. Then, after calling around to shops, we found two that had stayed open because they knew RFTW was coming through their towns. Sometimes things have a way of working themselves out Or maybe it was the prayer service this morning.

The city of Oakley, Kansas for years has provided lunch for RFTW. They set it up in their veterans park, and people from town line the streets to greet us as we parade to the park. After lunch, as we left the park, a bike was laid down; his throttle had stuck and laying it down was the only thing he could do. He thought he was lucky he had only some scrapes and bruises, but went to the hospital and later learned he had fractured vertebrae.

Between Oakley and Junction City, most of the overpasses were lined with people with flags and signs. One overpass was filled with boy scouts, another with schoolchildren, still another with Patriot Guard Riders. But there still has not been an overpass with as many people on it as Lake Havasu. Give yourselves a pat on the back, Havasu!
One of the things RFTW has a problem with is truck drivers. Understandably, they are annoyed by the number of motorcycles impeding their travel. On two-lane roads, they can’t change lanes as they like. Those of us with CBs listen to their chatter, and they can get ugly. We try to stay out of their way and give them room to pass, but they’re just not happy with us. This year we have two riders, Bounce and Crazy, both truckers themselves, who are monitoring the truckers’ channel and talking to them to explain what we’re doing (some assume we’re Hell’s Angels) and try to pacify them. They’re doing a good job; most of the truckers end up praising us for our mission and wishing us well. Eddie also watches for trucks coming up behind us and relays the info ahead to Bounce and Crazy so they can be ready to talk to them.

This afternoon Eddie spotted a car with an active duty soldier driving past us; he called ahead to any of our riders on our Road Guard channel to salute him when he went by. I wish I could have seen the look on his face as he passed hundreds of motorcycles, many of whom turned and saluted him!

Our final stop of the day was Junction City, Kansas. This was a new stop this year, and the city really outdid themselves. For three blocks before the Convention Center, hundreds of large flags were held by people lining the streets, and when we filed into the Convention Center parking lot, they formed two lines of probably 50 flags each for the bikes to drive through. What a beautiful sight it was. Dinner was served inside the Convention Center in a huge room, with enough tables and chairs for everyone. We usually have to eat in shifts, waiting for some to finish eating before we can sit down. This was a real treat.

This was a very stressful day, with so many bikes down. We’re hoping tomorrow is better. Tomorrow is another of our favorite stops – Wentzville, Missouri. Also, one of our groups will be visiting patients at the Topeka VA Hospital. Platoon 5 was chosen to go because they performed in tight formation today. That’s the platoon Dirt (John Grimes) of Lake Havasu is in.

Just before posting this tonight, I received another email from Richard Perricone:
"Hi Judy, I wish a lot more Americans can be as patriotic as you and your friends. I will visit your blog and I hope we will keep in touch. How about I send you another bracelet and you can keep it as a remembrance to me and the 56,000+ names on the wall. All my brothers there will be honored just knowing you will be there.When you get to the wall, find a guide and let him take you to the name of John Harlin. When you find it, that is the day I was captured and all the names around him died that day. It is very hard for me to visit the area; I have been at the wall several times. I was guest of honor this past Veterans Day, for the Vietnam Veterans of America. The 25th anniversary of the Wall. Then, find Joseph Delong – this guy was killed the day several of us tried to escape from our prison camp. I was recaptured and he was killed. Do you like to read? If so, find a book called, "Five Years To Deros," a full account of the battle that I was captured in. My dad gave my bracelet to General Westmorlamd and he wore it until I came home. Keep well, talk to you soon. Richard"

I am beyond ecstatic to have found this extraordinary man. I do hope that one day both Barbara Vetter and I will have the pleasure of meeting him.

I’ll be back with more news tomorrow night. Don’t forget to click for bricks! Oh, by the way, I’m going to buy a brick for my new friend, ex-POW Richard Perricone.

Judy

noreply@blogger.com (Freedom Bridge Project) — Sun, 18 May 2008 04:31:00 +0000

DAY 4 - Saturday, May 17, 2008
Angel Fire, NM to Burlington, CO

We often have breakfast burritos in the morning, as they are easiest for the cities and organizations that set up breakfast for us, but this morning the Angel Fire Resort had a huge buffet for us of bacon, sausage, eggs, fruit, biscuits and gravy. What a pleasure it was sitting down at a table to eat instead of standing and eating.

At every morning meeting a small ritual is performed: Hammer and our Assistant Route Coordinator, “Sheepdog,” take turns reading the names of a soldier that was KIA or MIA in Vietnam on that particular day. The soldier’s circumstances are read, and then someone from the same branch of service is asked to step forward to carry that sheet of paper to the Wall. The task is taken very seriously; it is a solemn obligation to be fulfilled at

Outside the hotel when everyone was getting ready to leave, I noticed a woman with a kitten peeking out of her jacket. We’re used to seeing tiny dogs that bikers take with them, but I had never seen anyone riding a motorcycle with a cat She said yesterday at a truck stop she spotted a tiny kitten lying in the weeds. She thought it was dead, until it moved. The poor thing was muddy and weak. She adopted it and it looked perfectly healthy and happy nestled in the front of her warm jacket. She named it “FNC” (Fine New Cat)

Angel Fire and Eagle Nest are twin cities just a few miles apart in the valley. As we passed Eagle Nest on our way east, we stopped in the street to be greeted by the mayor of Eagle Nest and given a few words of support on our journey. I had left the Freedom Bridge brochures in a different truck I was riding in, so I couldn’t pass them out at the Memorial. But I knew the mayor from previous years and jumped out in the road to say hello. She said she’d be delighted to pass out the brochures for me in both Eagle Nest and Angel Fire. She will even take them to the Memorial. There are the most incredible people in our country.

After leaving the valley of Angel Fire we go through a beautiful wooded canyon on a twisty road with a stream alongside. We emerge from the canyon near the tiny town of Cimarron, famous for its “haunted” St. James Hotel. The town consists mainly of a community hall and general store, but the people of Cimarron are big-hearted and for years served us dinner and provided free camping in their campground. Unfortunately, as the RFTW got bigger and bigger, we outgrew some of these little towns – there just aren’t enough hotel rooms for us. But we love these towns and their people and continue to stop every year for a few minutes to say hello and exchange gifts. We have very few extra minutes to spare, so 350 motorcycles come to a complete stop right in the middle of the road through town to say hello to the mayor and residents and give them a token of our gratitude for all the years they supported us.

Our next stop after Cimarron is Raton, NM. I switched from the Chase Vehicle to the van my Hawaiian friends Berlina and Mike are driving so we could stop and visit a friend in Raton. The first year I rode with RFTW I spotted two women up on the overpass at Raton, holding two huge American flags. I had gone ahead of the pack to go up on the overpass and take pictures of RFTW as it passed. I talked with the two sisters, Marcia and Gail, and learned that the very day our first soldiers were sent to Iraq they decided to show their support by going on the overpass every weekend and wave flags until our soldiers came back home. In the first few months, the local police chief would go up there and tell them they couldn’t stand on the bridge; it was illegal. They told him they weren’t about to stop showing their support. He kept going up there and telling them they had to leave; they just kept refusing. The police chief finally gave up.

Every year I stop and say hello to them; every year they ask me to stop and have lunch or something with them. But it’s hard to leave the pack when you’re driving a Chase Vehicle; it must be available at all times in case someone needs to be picked up. Last August I stopped to visit on my way back from Colorado, and this year I was determined to visit again. My Hawaiian friends thought it would be nice to meet a local person, and we had a wonderful, but short, visit. A few cups of coffee, some homemade cookies, and we were back on the road.

From Raton, Eddie had to make a detour to take two motorcycles to Pueblo to a Harley Davidson shop. One of the riders was the one we picked up yesterday after his bike went down. Instead of feeling better, he was getting worse and knew he couldn’t get back on his bike. Instead of leaving his bike in Pueblo for repairs, he left it on our trailer to go home with us and Eddie drove him to Colorado Springs to catch a flight home. I always feel bad for anyone who has to leave the Run; it means so much to make it all the way to D.C.

The lunch stop today was in La Junta, then we proceeded to Limon, Colorado. We changed our dinner and overnight stop this year from Limon to Burlington, but we paraded through Limon to say hello. On the overpass just before Limon, local Patriot Guard members were lined up, holding large American flags. It was a beautiful sight, but the crowd was nothing compared to Lake Havasu’s. We have yet to go through the most patriotic part of the U.S., but I think Lake Havasu’s turnout will be hard to beat.

We traveled 346 miles today, for a total so far of 1,272 miles, less than halfway to D.C. My stash of Freedom Bridge brochures is going fast – I’ve left them at VFW and American Legion Posts, at community centers and libraries, city halls and motorcycle clubs. By the time I get to Washington, D.C., there should be thousands of people who will have learned about Lake Havasu’s new Freedom Bridge.

Judy

noreply@blogger.com (Freedom Bridge Project) — Sun, 18 May 2008 04:27:00 +0000

DAY 3 - Friday, May 16, 2008
Gallup, NM to Angel Fire, NM

New Mexico is such a beautiful state. It’s crisp and clear this morning, blue skies and white clouds, and our riders are bundled up against the cold. Many covered their faces with bandanas. At least there’s no rain.

The morning meeting in Gallup turned rowdy when our Army vets challenged the other branches to match their $50 donation to the school in Rainelle. Rainelle is a small town in the hills of West Virginia, a former coal mining town, now doing mostly lumbering. It’s a poor town, and the schools have a real struggle paying for the things most other school districts take for granted. Run For The Wall adopted the school and its children in 1989 when the highway toll booth refused to allow us to count the bikes and then pay for the entire group at once. They wanted each bike to go through individually and pay separately. This would have taken hours, so the group sent around the long way. The long way was a twisting road through the hills that wound its way past many tiny towns. Word traveled through the hills that a huge group of veterans were coming, and by the time the pack reached Rainelle, the entire town had come out to greet them. The Moose Lodge somehow managed to rustle up enough food to feed everyone, and the mayor invited the riders to camp anywhere in town they wanted. Even the bank opened its doors to them. The experience was so overwhelming that RFTW has stopped in Rainelle every year since then. And every year we collect donations all along the route to present to the school. Over the years RFTW donations have stocked the school library, bought school supplies, paid for a new playground, and more.

So the school in Rainelle is a stop that is dear to all of us, and when a jug is passed around at every stop, bills and change are dropped into it.

There is always good-natured ribbing among the branches of service, and they always challenge each other to raise more money for Rainelle. This morning, after the Army put in $50, the Air Force declared that since they are above the Army, they would donate $60. Other branches followed suit, until someone put in $500. Then it was announced that an anonymous donor, for the third year in a row, offered to match all donations collected, up to $10,000. The last two years we presented the school with about $25,000.

Our Central Route Coordinator, Hammer, announced that we had a rider from the Philippines with us. He rode with us two years ago, moved back home to the Philippines, but came back to the U.S. to participate again.

One of our four Chase Vehicles carries a sewing machine mounted on a table bolted to the floor of his trailer. One person or another brings a sewing machine each year to sew patches that are purchased along the way onto riders’ vests.

We’ve had two days with no bikes down and no injuries, which is a record. It’s pretty much impossible not to have accidents when hundreds of bikes ride together in tight formation, as we do.
One of the Hueys escorting us did a flyover at our meeting and continued on with us until he had to land for fuel. As we pulled out of our staging area, a Native American was standing at the side of the road, burning sage to ask for protection for our riders and bikes.

We have a lot of crusty old vet bikers, but today I met an 88-year-old woman in full leathers, riding on the back of her son’s motorcycle all the way to D.C. She wore a name patch that said her road name was “Mom.”

Today is one of our favorite days of the Run because we visit Angel Fire, the very first Vietnam Veterans Memorial in the country. It was built by Dr. Victor Westphall in memory of his son, David, who was killed in Vietnam. It is a sacred place for veterans of all wars. For veterans going to the Wall the first time, it is sometimes a very difficult experience, so the ride through Albuquerque and Taos is solemn. As we come down the mountains into a beautiful green valley surrounded by the Sangre De Cristo mountains, we can look across the valley and see pure white angel wings rising up out of a hilltop in the center of the valley. Unfortunately, just a few miles before we got to the valley, a rider went down. Eddie and I were just ten minutes behind the rider, and by the time we reached the scene, the police and ambulance were already there. The rider was being checked out by paramedics, and although he had broken ribs and an injured foot, he declined to go to the hospital. We put his bike on the trailer and he rode with us into Angel Fire. He was determined not to miss being there with all of his brothers. He was sure he’d feel better by tomorrow and be able to ride his bike.

We loaded up the damaged bike and its rider and rode to the Memorial with us. The Angel Fire Memorial consists of two buildings, a chapel and a visitor’s center. Each building has the distinctive “wings” in its design. The chapel is small, with a high ceiling. There are several rows of wide concrete steps which serve as seats. In front of the seats is a foot-wide window that rises to the apex of the “wing.” On the floor at the base of the window is an eternal flame. The chapel is a very simple place in which to meditate.

The visitor’s center has a theater where a documentary about the Vietnam War is played continually. Vets rarely come out of the theater dry-eyed. There are computers with data bases of Vietnam veterans and events where one can search for a friend or for a story of a particular battle. The walls of the main room are lined with gigantic murals of Vietnam, soldiers’ faces, Vietnamese people and children.

One of the Hueys that were escorting us landed at the Memorial and many of our veterans talked with the pilots and relived experiences in Vietnam.

As we were leaving Angel Fire, the “Carry the Flame” group of veterans arrived. They travel across America about the same time as we do, but usually we only see them at Angel Fire. This group has the same mission as RFTW, and they carry an eternal flame to Washington, D.C. and also participate in Rolling Thunder.

From the Memorial we went to the Angel Fire Community Center, where the local village prepared a spaghetti dinner for us. The pilots and crew of the Hueys joined us. We learned that all of the pilots had served in Vietnam, and two of them had flown the very Hueys that were escorting us.

Angel Fire is a popular ski resort that is over 6,000 feet high. Even in May the nights are freezing, and those who were camping were invited to sleep in the lobby of our hotel. It looked and sounded like a giant sleepover tonight. It was an emotionally draining day for many of our veterans, but for some their healing has begun.

Judy

RUN FOR THE WALL - DAY 2

noreply@blogger.com (Freedom Bridge Project) — Fri, 16 May 2008 04:52:00 +0000

DAY 2 - Thursday, May 15, 2008
Williams, AZ to Gallup, NM

It was so cold last night and this morning – I felt sorry for the guys who were camping out. And to add to their misery, before they got out of their tents, the sprinklers went on and doused them all. What a miserable way to start the day. But they eventually laughed about it at the morning meeting.

Morning riders meetings are mandatory; that’s where the FNGs and any riders just joining us that morning learn how we ride, what hand signals we use, and what’s expected of them riding in a large pack. But seasoned riders are also required to attend, because we learn about any changes to fuel stops or unexpected road construction or detours.

Meetings start with the Pledge of Allegiance and end with a prayer by one of our chaplains. This morning, following the Pledge, a lone voice began singing our National Anthem – and soon everyone joined in. Spontaneous displays of patriotism such as this fill my heart with pride in this great country of ours.

A friend I met last year, Raven, joined us this morning – sporting a black eye and ugly bruise on her mouth. On her way to meet us, a truck lost its tire and it hit her bike, breaking her windshield and glancing off her face. What a miracle she wasn’t killed. This year she brought her little sister with her, who turned 22 today. We sang Happy Birthday to her and most of us tried to remember if we were ever 22.

It’s an interesting ride for me this year, as I’m switching between riding with my son Eddie in Chase 1, with Chapter 785 Vietnam Veterans in Chase 2, and with my Hawaiian friends Berlina and Mike in their van. I get to spend time with so many different people. We have four Chase Vehicles this year, instead of just two, so each one has much less work to do. We each picked just up one or two bikes the first day.

We have an author riding with us for the second year. Bridget Cantrell is a Ph.D. who specializes in counseling war veterans. She is a member of the Association of Traumatic Stress Specialists and has written two books with Vietnam veteran Chuck Dean (“Down Range to Iraq and Back,” and “Once a Warrior: Wired for Life”). They have a third book coming out the end of summer. Bridget dearly loves veterans and will do whatever she can to help them live with their awful memories.

The skies looked threatening as we passed Winslow, AZ, and when we neared Holbrook for our lunch stop, it started raining. Very few riders had put on rain gear, thinking we could make it to the lunch stop, so everyone was soaking wet as they stood outside waiting to get in. Lunch was courtesy of the American Legion Post 37, and what a feast it was. Barbecued beef sandwiches, several potato and macaroni salads, and a table full of deserts to die for. We were joined by some active duty military from the local area on leave from Iraq. I noticed a half dozen men in white shirts and black hats and couldn’t figure out what organization they belonged to. I sat down and talked with them and learned they were a search and rescue unit, but once a year they participate in the “Pony Express Ride.” For three days the group, on horseback, in relays, carry more than 3,500 pieces of mail from Holbrook to Scottsdale.

When we left Holbrook the rain had stopped, and we just had sprinkles now and then. But it was getting colder and colder. The first few bikes in the front of the pack was hit with some hail this morning. There was snow on the mountain tops, and we know there’s a good chance of a lot of snow tomorrow in Angel Fire.

The skies cleared up and although it was cold, the sky was blue when we arrived in Gallup, New Mexico. We paraded through town on Route 66; people were lined along the streets, waving flags and saluting. This is Navajo country, and many of their people join the military; they are extremely patriotic. Their warriors are revered, and they have a very strong bond with all veterans. Every year they treat us as their honored guests and perform ceremonial dances for us. In the Veterans Plaza at the center of Gallup, we all gathered around a huge dirt circle used for dancing. The Center Drum was in the middle of the circle, surrounded by drummers and other musicians. Special guests were several Medal of Honor recipients, and two of the very few remaining Navajo Code Talkers from World War II. Mr. Larry Anderson, T.J. Anderson, and other members of the Black Creek Gourd Society began the Honor Gourd Dance, joined by several Eagle Dancers. They danced around the circle to the beat of the drums, and then they invited all veterans to join them in the circle. This is a great honor the Navajo bestow on us each year, and we do not take it lightly. One by one our veterans went into the circle and danced along with our Native American friends.

After the dancing, we were served dinner in the plaza, and we slowly dispersed to our various hotels for the evening.

I’ve been talking with many individual veterans and veterans groups about Lake Havasu’s Freedom Bridge, and there’s been very positive response. I’m leaving brochures with groups to pass out to their members, so the word about the Freedom Bridge is spreading.

We apparently have a number of different people following this blog every night. One group is the 5th grade class of Calvary Baptist school in Costa Mesa, CA. The Monsoon’s daughter, Millie, is riding with her mom and dad with RFTW for the very first time this year, and she says HELLO to her classmates!

Eight more days to go.

Judy

PS: When you meet a veteran, please remember to say "Welcome Home, and thank you for your service!"

RUN FOR THE WALL - DAY 1

noreply@blogger.com (Freedom Bridge Project) — Thu, 15 May 2008 05:56:00 +0000

DAY 1 - Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Rancho Cucamonga, CA to Williams, AZ

This year marks the 20th anniversary of Run For The Wall, so there’s more excitement than usual surrounding our journey. Making this trip really memorable are four helicopters that saw service in Vietnam and will be escorting our veterans on motorcycles all the way across the country. Participants have been arriving for several days now from probably every state in the U.S. We also have about a dozen riders from Hawaii, most of whom shipped their bikes over. We also have contingents from Canada and Australia, who join us every year. The past few days there’s been a lot of greeting and hugging; many of us have done this for years and we've become one big family.

The majority of veterans participating in Run For The Wall are Vietnam Veterans, but we also have many from World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm, Iraqi Freedom, and Afghanistan. Our oldest veteran is about 87 years old–-and still riding a motorcycle. We have some active duty military, family, friends, and supporters. I’m not a veteran, but I’m a huge supporter of them and will do anything I can to make them see how much I appreciate what they’ve done to protect our freedoms and how thankful the average American is also.

Because RFTW is a solemn mission–raising awareness of our POWs and MIAs who have not yet been returned home–-we may have some fun together on the way to Washington, D.C., but we never forget why we are doing this. We have banners declaring “This is a mission–not a party.”

We always have a large number of FNGs (that’s Fine New Guy or Gal, although that’s not what the letters stood for during their service!). There are so many Vietnam veterans who have never been to the Wall, and after all these years, more and more every year are finally taking that big step. Some have tried for several years, only to turn back because they can’t quite face the emotional upheaval yet. They’ve been keeping everything bottled up for so long that they have to do this in small steps. But they know as soon a s they show up they won’t be alone. They’ll have plenty of support from their brothers and sisters who have been there and understand better than they do themselves. They will be watched over very carefully–-and if they’re spotted having emotional difficulty, someone will be at their side immediately to help. They truly believe and practice the Vietnam veterans’ motto: “Never again shall one generation of veterans abandon another.”

This year a unique mission is being carried out within RFTW. The family of the late World War II hero Eddie Livingston asked the Patriot Guard Riders and American Legion Riders of Placerville, CA to escort his ashes to his final resting place in Dothan, Alabama, and RFTW gave them permission to carry Eddie on the Central Route. His niece, Pam, encouraged by friends to join the experience, is riding with us. Central Route is the route I'm riding–-if you were on the I-40 overpass for Lake Havasu City this afternoon, you witnessed, without realizing it, a truly solemn and noble deed.

We staged this morning at Victoria Gardens in Rancho Cucamonga, CA at 8 a.m this morning. Our first morning meeting included the presentation of colors and riding instructions. Our special guest was Larry Anderson, Founder of the Black Creek Gourd Society out of Gallup, New Mexico. Mr. Anderson blessed the bikes and riders and conducted a ceremony asking the spirits to watch over us.

We started this year's Run with almost 600 motorcycles between our two routes, Central and Southern. We go our separate ways when we leave, then come back together in Virginia to enter D.C. The day before Memorial Day we, and many other veterans groups, become Rolling Thunder, a parade of up to a half million motorcycles riding to raise awareness of the POW/MIA issue.

As we travel across America, more and more riders join us; we’ll see a single rider or dozens waiting at freeway on-ramps to merge with us. Some ride all the way to D.C; some ride only for a day or two or through just one state.

My son, Eddie (“Grumpy”) is on his third RFTW this year; he drives a Chase Vehicle. The Chase Vehicles pull motorcycle trailers and pick up disabled bikes to take them to the nearest repair shop. We rode together the last two years, but this year I’m riding with the Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 785 of Orange County, CA. They take two vans: one carries bottled water and snacks for the riders; the other serves as a Chase Vehicle.

RFTW is highly organized. It takes more than one hundred people to orchestrate the movement of hundreds of motorcycles and other vehicles all the way across our country. We need a Route Coordinator, Assistant Route Coordinator, Road Guard Captain, about 30 Road Guards (they ride up and down the pack, keeping everyone in line and monitoring the Run’s progress; they also stop traffic as we enter and leave freeways and as we drive through cities), 9 State Coordinators and 9 Assistant State Coordinators (they line up all the fuel stops, breakfasts, lunches, and dinners, coordinate stops at memorials and VA hospitals, and work with local police and state troopers to provide escorts through much of each state), and a Missing Man Coordinator (at the head of the pack are 6 motorcycles. In the second row, left side, rides a person selected to escort the “Missing Man”–an empty space representing all soldiers who never came home. This is also one of our mottos: “We ride for those who can’t.”

Each route also has a Chaplains Corps of about 6 chaplains, who watch for vets who are having a hard time as we get closer to the Vietnam Wall in D.C. This is the first visit to the Wall for many of our veterans since they came home from Vietnam and they need a lot of emotional support. The Chaplains also stop at any accident and if necessary, accompany injured riders to the hospital and keep in touch with them afterward.. Then we have 7 Platoon Leaders and 7 Assistants; we form a platoon for every 30 or 40 motorcycles so as to leave enough space between platoons for cars and trucks to pass through to enter or exit the freeways. The motorcycles are followed by the Last Man Vehicle, who watches for downed bikes and radios bak to the Chase Vehicles to pick them up. LMV is followed by 2 or 3 Chase Vehicles. Then comes the sound trailer, equipped with podium and amplifiers, from which all morning meetings are held. We also have a Merchandise Trailer, with up to a dozen people working it all along the route. The trailer sells RFTW patches, pins, t-shirts, and more.

We also have an Advance Team, a group of 6 or 8 riders who go ahead of the pack to look for obstacles or unanticipated road construction. We also have a Fuel Crew, about a dozen riders who go ahead and get ready at the gas stations to gas the bikes up. They are so efficient that we can gas up 300 bikes in about 15 minutes. That’s mostly because there is no change given; all amounts are rounded up. The excess money goes toward gas for the support vehicles.

In Needles, CA the city and veterans organizations had lunch ready for us in the park. The mayor read a proclamation declaring today “Run For The Wall Day,” and we visited with members of the Arizona chapter of American Ex-POWs.

Our veterans received their first welcome home of the trip at the Lake Havasu overpass-–and they were overwhelmed! The bridge was lined with people from one end to the other, waving flags and holding a “Welcome Home” sign. All waved their appreciation; many others saluted. People of Lake Havasu, I was so proud of you today!

After a fuel stop in Kingman, the weather started cooling off as we climbed higher toward Williams. When we arrived, many of the townspeople were out to welcome us as we drove through town. For many of our veterans, this is the first parade in their honor they have ever experienced. We overnighted in Williams; everyone turned in early as it was a long day. We cover an average of 35 miles a day, but today was 410 miles.

Today was the safest first day RFTW has had in recent memory. We usually have a few downed bikes the first day, as riders are just getting used to riding in a tight pack. It takes a day or two to get the hang of it. There were no bikes down, and no injuries. We’re thankful for a good day. The only mishap was a broken axle on Eddie's trailer in Needles, and thanks to some generous people of Needles, it was fixed on the spot, at no charge for labor. We encounter many such patriotic and generous people on RFTW--so many people want to help our veterans who do so much for us.

Many people carry items of special importance to them to take to the Wall: a photo of a loved one, a letter, a war medal. Today I received something very special to take wtih me. At the Lake Havasu overpass, Havasu resident Barbara Vetter gave me a POW bracelet that she has had since 1967 and asked me to take it to the Wall with me.

Tonight in my hotel room I searched the Internet for info on Sgt Perricone. I learned he was an E4/US Army Unit: Company B, 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry, 4th Infantry Division. He was taken POW July 12, 1967 in Pleiku Province, South Vietnam and held for 2 years in the jungles of Cambodia and then marched for three weeks on the Ho Chi Minh Trail to North Vietnam. He was kept in the “Hanoi Hilton” until he was released March 5, 1973. He was one of the subjects of the 1996 book “We Came Home,” wherein he said after his release:

“The camp I lived in was 20 miles inside Cambodia. The buildings I lived in were made of small trees put together like beams. They were about three inches apart. The roof was made of large leaves. The beds were made of thin strips of bamboo tied together with vines. There were stocks the whole length of the bed. At night we put our legs into the stocks. The stocks were two trunks about five inches in diameter. But after the escape attempt our legs were in the stocks all of the time. The general routine each day was: We would get up at about 5:30 a.m., eat our first meal at 7 a.m. which was two or three cups of rice and the tops of sweet potato plants. We would then just lay around all day. Then at 4, we would have our second meal. Then, at about 5:30 or 6, we would be locked up again for the night. . . . We were allowed to bath about once a week or ten days.”

In 1996 Perricone was living in New York. I also found a letter he wrote in early 2007, where he was seeking information on POWs he was held with. At that time he was living in Florida, and I found an address and email address for him. I emailed him tonight.

So, Barbara, if you are reading this, I want you to know that even though you asked me to leave Sgt Perricone’s bracelet at the Wall, I will instead keep it, because I know you will be happy to learn that he was released and would want to mail the bracelet to him. I am hoping to be able to contact him by email and to eventually put you in touch with the POW whose bracelet you wore for 41 years.

Lights out – it’s been a day of many surprises.

Judy

Freedom News

noreply@blogger.com (Freedom Bridge Project) — Tue, 13 May 2008 17:48:00 +0000

FREEDOM NEWS

The Freedom Bridge Foundation is making huge progress. Announced just yesterday are two new Flag poles which be located on each side of the Bridgewater Channel on the future location of the Freedom Bridge. All citizens, visitors, and boaters will be able to view the location of the soon-to-be built second bridge to the Island, The Freedom Bridge. These flag poles were donated by VOLUNTEERS! (Names to be released later in a special ceremony.)

Also this week is the unveiling of the new www.havasufreedombridge.com website. Everyone is encouraged to view the website for news updates on the Freedom Bridge. Also read "news from the front lines" of the Run For The Wall cross country trek by Veterans, who are traveling the entire country, destined for the Vietnam Memorial in Washington DC. This group, accompanied by Huey helicopters, will be passing by Lake Havasu City on Weds, May 14th, at about 2-3 pm along I-40. Please be there to show support.

Don't forget to make history! You can be one of the first 1000 people to buy a Memorial Walkway brick to be placed along the channel near the world famous London Bridge. Millions of people will see your message on your own brick. Perhaps you can buy additional bricks for friends and Veterans, too.

Thank you Re-Max and the Lake Havasu Republican Women for hosting our recent Freedom Bridge presentations.

More news later, stay tuned!

Gary Meyers
www.HavasuFreedomBridge.com
Click for Bricks!

Freedom Bridge Foundation Board meeting

noreply@blogger.com (Freedom Bridge Project) — Mon, 12 May 2008 13:26:00 +0000

Announcement:

Important Freedom Bridge Foundation Board Meeting. Monday, May 12, 2008. 5:30 pm. Chamber Conference room, 314 London Br. Rd.

Gary Meyers
www.HavasuFreedomBridge.com
Click for Bricks!