The day started with a Wreath Laying ceremony at a Confederate Cemetery for 155 unknown soldiers. Taps was played and the mood was very solemn. It was a blessing to know that 13 have been identified and they are still working to find the others.
We then rode to Knoxville TN for ‘crispy creme’ donuts, coffee, fuel, crispy creme donuts, fellowship, crispy creme donuts….you get the idea!
Then on Bristol Harley Davidson for lunch. On the way we were told at a fuel stop that a trailer with horses turned over and horses were everywhere. I was sent ahead as a scout to see if we could pass. We did not want to get 600 or so motorcycles on the asphalt and be stranded. It was a joy to travel ‘speed limit’ down the highway only to find it was on a different road.
It was a busy day of fixing, hauling motorcycles and picking up passengers. Our “Chase Team” was very busy. There were no wrecks until tonight coming into the parking lot. As I write this, Danny Stewart and Wes Alvarez are still at the hospital. Thank the Lord it don’t seem to be a really bad wreck.
We had a program at the park in Wytheville, VA when we arrived, then on to steaks and baked potato. We were really blessed by this city and there is more to come. We were so blessed to see Col. Shalom from Israel. He is going to speak to us in the morning at the riders meeting. I am so excited to have him here and can only pray the Lord will bless him as he speaks that we might see more riders sign up for Israel’s Run For The Wall. Our awards dinner was at the Moose Lodge. Word of Life Church, Pastor and Pointman Gary Cope had his people on the interstate and at the Lodge greeting people. It was a great night and M25 was really shown a lot of honor.
During our devotion there were a lot of testimonies from the men in the room of ministry that went forth. It was a joy to watch the men discuss how God had allowed them to be an encouragement to so many. We were given some tee-shirts (I am attaching a picture) to give to some veterans. There were stories of men crying and hugging the giver after one received the shirt. My choice was a man who last year had shared with me how bitter he was. Today as we talked (he gave me permission to tell this) he said an 800 pound gorilla was off his back. He stated that after RFTW 2010 and our prayer he no longer had need of a therapist or psychiatrist.
Our journey is coming to an end – tomorrow and the next day are short rides and full of joyful and then mournful times. Thanks to all who are following us – praying for us and have supported our efforts out here.
Shepherd, Gary Burd
