We have now traveled about half of the miles we will traverse to get to Washington DC and have six days remaining in our mission. Day’s three and four travel from Gallup NM to Limon CO.
Each morning we have a safety briefing and learn of the fallen whom the entire group will honor in the Missing Man formation. The Pledge of Allegiance is recited and the Chaplain prays for safety over the day’s activities. Usually, when we travel to Gallup, we are met with a ceremonial dance and celebration of the Warrior by the Native Nations residing in the area. I need to learn more about the peoples represented as I believe there are more than the two I remember; Navaho and Hopi. This year due to Covid concerns, the traditional welcome into Gallup did not occur. However, the morning of our departure we were given a ceremonial Water Blessing by a Navaho Medicine Man. He recited something in a native language, followed by the playing of a whistle, then he dipped feathers in a bowl of water and splashed each and everyone of us. I was honored by the blessing as I know it meant a great deal to him even though I know my safety and identity comes from Jesus.
We left Gallup by way of participation in a parade to honor the local Christian High School basketball team’s state championship. Students, faculty, and families lined the route and waved as the team passed by on a float and as we supported them. We left town in a warm rain which subsided after about 60 miles, then made our way to a fuel stop and donated lunch at the Santa Fe Harley-Davidson dealership. The kindness shown to us by so many generous people is always humbling. I found it interesting that their Harley Owners Group (HOG) is named the Sangre De Cristo Chapter (Blood of Christ). The name is boldly painted on the exterior of the dealership. I hope each member understands that the Blood of Christ isn’t just a name, but a gift providing eternal life. The remainder of the day included another fuel stop and then the ride up to the Angel Fire Vietnam Memorial. Dinner and breakfast in Eagle Nest were donated, yet another blessing from generous patriots.
The memorial is beautiful containing a few sculptures, a chapel, a Huey helicopter that one of the members of our ride actually crewed on in Vietnam, a small amphitheater, and a museum. Note the red bricks lining the walkway in the photo to the left of this text. Each brick bears the name and service date of an honored veteran. The memorial is a must-see and is worthy of a trip to New Mexico. Crysten and I rode ahead of the pack into Angel Fire. My bike had been on a trailer the first time I rode there. So, for this trip, I wanted the road and my thoughts to myself. We were the first to arrive and nearly the last to leave the memorial. Crysten took in every detail of the museum’s exhibits, the statuary, the chapel, the bricks, and the overwhelming reverence the memorial inspires.
We left Eagle Nest bound for Limon Colorado with a stop in Raton to parade through town followed by yet another donated lunch, this time by the American Legion Ovie Vernon Post No. 2. After eating lunch Crysten and I jumped ahead of the pack to meet friends Traci and Scott Nelson in Fountain. It was great visiting with these long-time friends. Scott retired as a Army LTC and his son is now serving in the Army. We geared up for rain when we said our farewells to Scott and Traci, then set out to intercept the pack as they paraded through Fountain Colorado. Unfortunately, we missed them and were deterred in intercepting them on the route by construction detours and a lack of the police escort they had through town. This left us playing catch-up. The pack rarely travels at the posted speed limit, which gave us a chance. We were successful but only at the last moment of our arrival to the donated fuel stop in Limon. We pulled into the station just as the chase vehicle was turning off the highway. After fueling, we paraded through town and were met with many locals waving flags and hands as we rode by. Parades like those today in Raton, Fountain, and Limon are amazing reminders of the good that is still present in the US populace. The day ended with the blaring of tornado warning sirens. There was a tornado sighting along the route we rode to arrive in Limon. We were again blessed by God in the timing of that storm occurring after we all passed through. Tomorrow we ride into Kansas. We’ve completed just four of ten days, but I can feel the end of the mission getting closer.
