A Boomer "vent"...........

[BoomerCPO]

Had a busy day yesterday.RC'd a PGR Mission which took the 1st half of the day. Then spent the better part of the afternoon organizing Riders for a Moving Wall Escort which began at 6:30PM.

 

2000 Vet riders participated in the Wall Escort. The City Mayor decided that NO bikers would be allowed to ride/park near the set-up location for the Wall. Guess he didn't want his chest-thumping speech about patriotism and loving Nam Vets to be disturbed by the sound of MC pipes.

 

Local VFW Post has been crowing for weeks that all Escort Riders would be treated to a free meal after the Escort Ride was completed. When the Riders showed up at the Post there was nothing to eat except Bar snacks which were not free. The Post took the time to set up 3 portable Bars w/cash registers,Coolers.

 

After 2 solid hours they finally got the grills fired up for hot dogs. By then most of the Riders had dropped a few dollars into the cash tills and were leaving to go eat elsewhere.

 

Of the 800 Riders who initially rode to the VFW Post only 30 remained to chow down on the hot dogs served up.

 

This morning I got reports that 3 Riders were involved in accidents on their scoots after leaving the VFW Post......before the food was served.

 

I know the VFW Post made a killing with their Bar.....I just can't accept WHY they held off serving food in order to increase their Bar sales.

 

 

Boomer.....who will always ride Escort for the Wall but won't drive into a VFW Post ever again.

[1BigDog]

Sorry to hear that Boomer. Remember that mayor when its election time. I dont understand the VFW deal either.

[Yammer Dan]

VFW here invited me to join years ago. Wanted to have attitude when I told them no so I told them why. Don't look like they have changed. Some of them still cross street to avoid me!!

[Iowawegian]

1. First of all, thank you for all the volunteering you do! It's frustrating when you do a lot of work and things don't go so smooth.

2. It's ok to vent. http://www.google.com/images?q=tbn:R_kp1PG-SIfWFM::4and20blackbirds.files.wordpress.com/2009/05/ear.jpg We're "ear" for you!

3. Ok, now for the dumb question of the day......(why is it always me that has to ask.....) I know what a PGR Mission is, but what is a moving wall? Is it when you have bikes riding 2 abreast down a street? Sorry, but I just had to ask.

[BoomerCPO]

1. First of all, thank you for all the volunteering you do! It's frustrating when you do a lot of work and things don't go so smooth.

2. It's ok to vent. http://www.google.com/images?q=tbn:R_kp1PG-SIfWFM::4and20blackbirds.files.wordpress.com/2009/05/ear.jpg We're "ear" for you!

3. Ok, now for the dumb question of the day......(why is it always me that has to ask.....) I know what a PGR Mission is, but what is a moving wall? Is it when you have bikes riding 2 abreast down a street? Sorry, but I just had to ask.

 

The Moving Wall is a scaled down replica of the actual Wall located on the National Mall in Washington DC. It is on the same black panels and has the names of those 68,000 who paid the ultimate price in service to our Country. I believe that there are 6-8 of these Moving Walls that go all over the Country and spend 5-6 days at each set-up area.

 

Where you see a Moving Wall coming into a Town/City the odds are you will see that Wall being escorted by Veterans on motorcycles. State and local LEO's & Wall organizers establish the Escort Ride Route in advance. All Intersections along the Ride Route are blocked by LEO's to prevent the cagers from disrupting the ride in their rush to get to Starbucks or the latest Martha Stewart Sale at JC Penney.

 

 

Boomer.....who has done 6 Moving Wall Escorts in the last 3 years.....and rides Escort for the WAA (Wreaths Across America) every November as well.

 

Edited to add: the MC's ride in staggered formation with the 2 second Spacing Rule for safety's sake. :^)

Edited June 18, 2009 by BoomerCPO

[polecat54]

I'll bet that the mayor is not a vet or he would be happy to have a group that goes to the pain we do as for the VFW they can kiss my ??? I haven't been happy with them or the Amvets for a long time:thumbdown:

[BoomerCPO]

VFW here invited me to join years ago. Wanted to have attitude when I told them no so I told them why. Don't look like they have changed. Some of them still cross street to avoid me!!

 

When I came back to the World in 1971 my Dad's VFW Post refused me membership. Under direction of VFW National (at the time) Nam Combat Vets were not to be accepted as members because the Vietnam War was an "undeclared War by Congress".

 

Boomer.....who wants Yammer Dan to know that he didn't give up nothing by refusing VFW membership......and many VFW Posts are now going belly up because the old timers are dropping like fly's.

[Iowawegian]

The Moving Wall is a scaled down replica of the actual Wall located on the National Mall in Washington DC. It is on the same black panels and has the names of those 68,000 who paid the ultimate price in service to our Country. I believe that there are 6-8 of these Moving Walls that go all over the Country and spend 5-6 days at each set-up area.

 

Where you see a Moving Wall coming into a Town/City the odds are you will see that Wall being escorted by Veterans on motorcycles. State and local LEO's & Wall organizers establish the Escort Ride Route in advance. All Intersections along the Ride Route are blocked by LEO's to prevent the cagers from disrupting the ride in their rush to get to Starbucks or the latest Martha Stewart Sale at JC Penney.

 

 

Boomer.....who has done 6 Moving Wall Escorts in the last 3 years.....and rides Escort for the WAA (Wreaths Across America) every November as well.

 

I hope I get to see it someday.

I have never gotten to go out east (it's on the bucket list) and see all there is out there. We've put it off because crowds aren't my cup of tea and I get to be a nervous nelly in all the commotion. Hubby isn't to keen on tons of traffic either.

Thanks for explaining it!

[Yammer Dan]

When I came back to the World in 1971 my Dad's VFW Post refused me membership. Under direction of VFW National (at the time) Nam Combat Vets were not to be accepted as members because the Vietnam War was an "undeclared War by Congress".

 

Boomer.....who wants Yammer Dan to know that he didn't give up nothing by refusing VFW membership......and many VFW Posts are now going belly up because the old timers are dropping like fly's.

 

 

They didn't offer me til around 75 or thereabout. But I had heard some of their opinions by them. Didn't like the policits they played and I don't mean just who they voted for.

I also came back to the World in 71 Boomer. U.S. ARMY RECON!!

[BoomerCPO]

They didn't offer me til around 75 or thereabout. But I had heard some of their opinions by them. Didn't like the policits they played and I don't mean just who they voted for.

I also came back to the World in 71 Boomer. U.S. ARMY RECON!!

 

It's a small world Bro. Welcome Home!

 

More than a few times we transported Army RECON; LURP Teams; and assorted Operatives deep into Injun Country.....and sometimes we paid the price with American blood.

 

Boomer..........for whom the nightmares will never cease.......but is alive and grateful.

[rosebud]

We've been to DC twice to the real wall and the moving wall when ever it's in the area. Thanks for escorting it. Next time - say hello to my brother he's on panel 39E line 66.

[Yammer Dan]

We've been to DC twice to the real wall and the moving wall when ever it's in the area. Thanks for escorting it. Next time - say hello to my brother he's on panel 39E line 66.

 

 

Thank You Rosebud.

[1BigDog]

When I came back to the World in 1971 my Dad's VFW Post refused me membership. Under direction of VFW National (at the time) Nam Combat Vets were not to be accepted as members because the Vietnam War was an "undeclared War by Congress".

 

Boomer.....who wants Yammer Dan to know that he didn't give up nothing by refusing VFW membership......and many VFW Posts are now going belly up because the old timers are dropping like fly's.

 

Wow, I didnt even realize that about the VFW's. In 1971 I was still a HS Sophmore and kind of wild. But I do remember how returning Vets were treated by the public then. I just never understood just how anyone could treat returning war heros with such contempt. That was one thing that I did realize back then. Friends brothers were involved in the Vietnam war and I remember one of them was a Green Beret. A huge man, and he treated us wiseass kids like men. I never forgot that.

 

A war by any other name is still a war.

[cecdoo]

Well Boomer thanks for all you do, and I realize you dont do it for my thanks. Too bad things didnt work out like you hoped with the VFW makes you wonder how some folks operate?? Craig

[BoomerCPO]

We've been to DC twice to the real wall and the moving wall when ever it's in the area. Thanks for escorting it. Next time - say hello to my brother he's on panel 39E line 66.

 

Rosebud if you PM me your brother's name I will do a shadow imprint of his name and send it to you. It would be my honor and no disposition to me in the least. (Many of us here are participating in providing Guard Duty for the Wall (around the clock) to prevent vandalism to the Wall.....I'm scheduled for a 6 hour night shift Friday night).

 

Warmest regards........Boomer....who would really like to see some s*itbird try to vandalize the Wall on his shift.

[BoomerCPO]

Wow, I didnt even realize that about the VFW's. In 1971 I was still a HS Sophmore and kind of wild. But I do remember how returning Vets were treated by the public then. I just never understood just how anyone could treat returning war heros with such contempt. That was one thing that I did realize back then. Friends brothers were involved in the Vietnam war and I remember one of them was a Green Beret. A huge man, and he treated us wiseass kids like men. I never forgot that.

 

A war by any other name is still a war.

I have to say with all respect that the only Hero's of a war are those who paid the ultimate sacrifice and now lie silent in their graves.

 

Boomer........who was only a Hero to his little brother after pounding a local bully into the sidewalk.....and did it without a gun too.

[bendtdj]

Boomer, Yammer Dan, and all other vets, past, present and yet to come. THANK YOU!

 

I was in USMC 1977 -79 (medical discharge) South Dakota Army Guard 1980 - 93. While I was never "in country" (so to speak) anywhere, I know that I agree with the phrase,

 

"All gave some, Some gave all."

 

You all have my greatest respect.

 

Dave

[Kregerdoodle]

I would like to say a BIG THANK YOU To Boomer and all the Vets!!! I am not a VET, but I am a Proud member of the PGR !!

 

Thank you all and God Bless you!!!

 

K

[silverdeer0454]

Here's the web site for the moving wall:

 

http://www.avtt.org/

 

And the 2009 schedule:

 

http://www.avtt.org/2009%20Schedule%20T1.htm

 

I'll be doing the escort from Vancouver Washington to Bellingham Washington in July.

[Guest seuadr]

Rosebud if you PM me your brother's name I will do a shadow imprint of his name and send it to you. It would be my honor and no disposition to me in the least. (Many of us here are participating in providing Guard Duty for the Wall (around the clock) to prevent vandalism to the Wall.....I'm scheduled for a 6 hour night shift Friday night).

 

Warmest regards........Boomer....who would really like to see some s*itbird try to vandalize the Wall on his shift.

i can't believe that someone would stoop to such levels. unfortunatly, part of me knows it's a very real possibility.

 

really bad idea, though.

 

it's like the vandals that decided to tear up a shooting range with a huge gun club following on another board.. the vandals called the gun clubs murder clubs.. and then decided it was a good idea to piss them off?

 

sounds real bright.

[painterman67]

I had never heard of the moving wall. I have been to the Wall though. Went even thoough my exwife told me not to. She didn't like her father becouse he was a drunkerd. I actually took the time to talk to the man . Yes he was a drunk. He knew his problem but drinking hisself to sleep was the only way to get rid of the dreams. He said if he slept sober he could see the faces and hear the thing s he had done. I can only imagine what he went through. No one in his family would take him. Even though I wasnt there it was an awe insipiring place.

 

 

Thanks for all you guys do did or will do.

 

David

[Doc172]

Boomer and others,

 

We benifited from the lessons learned from your war in the wars of my time. Our experience was considerably different than yours. I feel that is directly due to folks like yourselves that are determined to not let that ever happen again. Let me take this opportunity to thank you.

 

HMC USN Retired

[davecb]

We were treated like crap when we came back from Nam. The looks people gave you if you were wearing that uniform when you returned will be forever etched in my mind. But, I was proud to be a soldier, to fight for what my country thought was right. I have never regretted it. At least today, these kids are getting their recognition....

 

 

 

DaveCB: Who spent 2 tours in Nam..

 

 

 

 

David C. Bill

First Sergeant

U.S. Army Retired

[BoomerCPO]

I had never heard of the moving wall. I have been to the Wall though. Went even thoough my exwife told me not to. She didn't like her father becouse he was a drunkerd. I actually took the time to talk to the man . Yes he was a drunk. He knew his problem but drinking hisself to sleep was the only way to get rid of the dreams. He said if he slept sober he could see the faces and hear the thing s he had done. I can only imagine what he went through. No one in his family would take him. Even though I wasnt there it was an awe insipiring place.

 

 

Thanks for all you guys do did or will do.

 

David

 

David I thank you for your service Bro. I lost 2 buddies because they crawled into whiskey bottles and never got out of them. I can relate to that cuz it took the US Navy 8 years to get me out of the bottle.With many Nam Vets nothing a body could say or do to help them seemed to make a damn in getting them off the course of self destruction.

 

IMHO the American people caused more deaths among Nam Vets than the actual results of combat. Anyone that don't agree with that should realize that 2/3 of the homeless people in this entire Country TODAY are Nam Vets. Nuff said..........

 

Boomer...........who's said enuff and needs to stifle some emotions now.

[BoomerCPO]

Boomer and others,

 

We benifited from the lessons learned from your war in the wars of my time. Our experience was considerably different than yours. I feel that is directly due to folks like yourselves that are determined to not let that ever happen again. Let me take this opportunity to thank you.

 

HMC USN Retired

 

Thanks Doc.....Comments like yours do help the ongoing healing process. And thank you for your service as well Sir.

 

Boomer........who will stand with the Patriot Guard until the Patriot Guard stands for him.