Resolve to Win Day 8

Day 8:

Coop and I arrived just in time to catch the RTW RV as it was traveling to the step off point for the 8th day of the Resolve to Win Walk. I had dropped my vehicle at the VA/NC State line and rode with Coop. I was not prepared for the level of motivation displayed by these men and the people with them. I knew it was high; but when you experience it first-hand, it's truly inspirational.

These men had spent their lives in service to their country and retired to enjoy the benefits of the freedoms they had fought to preserve. They voluntarily returned to active duty and went to Iraq. What they saw there convinced them, in spite of news reports to the contrary, that we can win if only have the Reslove to Win. They didn't have to do this. They could have stayed home and enjoyed every minute of the rest of their lives and no one would have questioned it. Instead, they decided it was time to make a statement. It was time to show the American people, and the world, that America is a force for good and we need to win.

The Major runs a tight ship.

We stepped off promptly at 0730 with Gunny taking the Guidon, Major Heerup holding the American flag and just as promptly, it began to rain. Not too bad. The first leg of the walk was mildly uncomfortable, with intermittment rain squalls, but we had two young active duty Army recruiters on point and spirits were high. No way was I gonna go girly in front of these Warriors. I am a former Marine after all. I had prepared with rain gear, and knew I could handle just about anything short of a hurricaine or tornado.

I had emailed two morning radio shows about this event and had called in around 0630 to the Lee Brothers on WRVA.

I was informed that they would take my call at 0750. Coop is giving me five minute warnings as the clock ticked. Promptly at 0750 I made the call and was put right through. Scott Lee spoke to Major Heerup and emailed at 0759 to tell me that VNN had picked up the story.

I mentioned two morning shows didn't I? The second show was John Boy and Billy out of Charlotte. I never heard a response back from this one, and no one picked up the phone during the broadcast. I'm disappointed with these people and will let it be known just how disappointed I am shortly. They have always been good supporters of the troops in the past, but apparently, three retired Army officers just back from Iraq who decide to walk 400 miles to show their resolve that we can win this thing isn't worthy of their time. I would appreciate it if anyone reading this would take a minute and let them know how I feel as well.

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Our first stop came, and we rested for thirty minutes and stepped off again. I noticed a white SUV parked on the side and assumed it was a LEO waiting for us. As I walked past, I looked back and saw a license plate with 173DABN Sky Soldiers mounted on the front. Well, I wasn't going to walk past THIS vehicle without a question. Turned out to be the parents of two soldiers with the 2nd Battalion 508BCT. They had heard of the walk and brought two little ones with them and those are the pictures you see at the top of this post. They met us twice more during the walk and the video is Major McCool speaking to the parents at the VA/NC state line.

A little more rain, and now my feet are starting to bark. I have good boots; I never had a problem with my feet. Suddenly, I'm feeling pain where there usually isn't any. Shifting my weight from the ball to the heel helped; the burning on the bottom of my heels subsides and then it becomes a contest to see how long it takes to relieve the pain in my heels, versus the pain in my calves as I shift my weight.

I think the thing that impressed me most was the fact that Major Heerup and I share a common interest. Major Heerup is a structural engineer in civilian life. Because my job involves the construction of infrastructure, I had questions about the conditions in Iraq, and whether he had used his skills as an engineer during his deployment. We spoke about the conditions of the infrastructure in Iraq. He told me it was bad. Insurgents apparently do not appreciate the basic neccessities we here in America take for granted and really don't think about until they cease to function: clean water, waste water treatment, and power. Not only do the insurgents not appreciate them, they don't want anyone else to have them either. Major Heerup spoke of an incident where a WWTP (waste water treatment plant) had been repaired and put online. Within days, the insurgents had stripped and removed every piece of equipment, every run of wire, anything that could have been sold for scrap. Clean water is the basis of a civilized society. When you provide a clean sustainable source of clean water to any area, you can build from there. PRT's (Provincial Reconstruction Teams) are working daily in Iraq and Afghanistan to provide these people with the basic neccessiities and AQI and the Taliban are working just as hard to keep these people in the Dark Ages.

The left in this country don't seem to understand this fact either; and if they do, their actions make them culpable with the terrorists. They are either incredibly stupid or they are traitors.

The day ended for me at the VA/NC state line. Gunny and his wife Lori were impressed. Lori chastised me for not getting in the car with her for the last 1/2 mile. Fussed at me is more like it. She could tell I was hurting, and frankly, the thought had crossed my mind until I saw that Georgia-Pacific water tower in the distance. Thats in VA. Just across the line. From my position as "Tail-end Charlie" I called out to the group "Ya see that water tower? THAT'S IN VIRGINIA!!!"

I hurt in places I haven't hurt in since boot camp. I move like an old man this morning. But you know what, I'm going to join them again in Fairfax on Sunday and walk the last 16 miles with them.

You couldn't keep me away with a shotgun.