Day 1: We're Off

 Fall-In !


We arrived at the Logan County Fair Grounds ready to travel.  Vets to DC had everything prepared for us.  Breakfast snacks were available, drinks, coffee, doughnuts, fruit.  One thing this organization believes in is food, keep them full.  They say an Army runs on its stomach.  

As you might expect, our commander-in-chief had a few words.  Well, maybe not a few.  


Seats were assigned on the buses.  Luggage was tagged and loaded for us.  Our vehicles were commandeered and taken to storage.  Everything ran like a fine tuned regiment.  And Scott said a few words.


And the people came.


And came.


And Scott said a few words.


We were honored to meet many special people.  This is Charlie and his wife, Phyllis  If you know me at all, you know that I have a wire loose in my head.  The one that connects faces to names. So for the rest of this blog, I apologize if I do not recall your name or do it incorrectly.  Charlie was a Korean War vet and would tell you he didn't do anything important.  Many of our fellow vets do not brag and are humble about their contributions.


Time to shove off and we found one of our best friends, the DeWeese's, waiting to help us board.  Their presence at the send off was so appreciated.

Actually, the bus accommodations were more than adequate.  Comfortable chairs. Plenty of room.  Con and I were 2nd seat back.  If I were to complain, it would be that I could not see the people behind me.  But we had the advantage of seeing out the front window.

Throughout the trip I was impressed with the help afforded the Vets.  Rule: Blue Shirts, those volunteers assigned to help, are first off the bus, and last on.  They just wanted to make sure we didn't fall each and every embarking.  

Now, what I wasn't aware was the community support at the send off.  Police escort in front, cycle escort to the rear.  And the people that lined the streets...










And leading us behind the police escort was the Duece.


But the real surprise was the sendoff at every overpass of Rt. 33 all the way to Dublin.

At each overpass, there was a First Responders vehicle awaiting our passing.  Their lights blazing, sirens blowing and service people saluting.  A beautiful start to a beautiful trip.

If you were on top of one of those overpasses, this what you would have seen.

Unfortunately, I was unable to get a picture at every overpass.  But if you are a first responder standing on those bridges just waiting for our buses, thank you from the depth of my heart.


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