Resolve to Win

Core Supporter Perspective: Don Robertson

Friday, March 23, 2007 at 07:05 PM

by BlogMasters

Thanks for the opportunity to show my support for our military.

It is now Thursday, March 21^st, and I would like to let everyone know my side of the Resolve To Win March Story!  First of all, I would like to thank my wife, Susan, for letting me go, and thanks to my sister-in-law for staying with her until I got back. Love you, Susan. By the way Janet, when are you going home! J Thanks to my sister Darlene and brother-in-law Tim for helping to keep Susan company during the three weeks I was away. I love all of you guys.

Also, thanks to my neighbor Martha Ann for making those delicious brownies, they were really great, and everyone enjoyed them, (I did share). Thanks to Ben also because I know he helped too!

I met Dennis and Aida in Daytona Beach on Thursday, Feb 28th about 8:30 am. We left there and had a delicious BBQ sandwich at ‘Georgia Pig’ in Brunswick, GA. We arrived in Lumberton, NC that afternoon. On Friday I went shopping with Dennis’ brothers, Kenny and Larry and loaded the RV up with groceries and lots of water, and got ready to have our shrimp and crab boil. By the way, Brothers Kenny and Larry are the best. They don’t come any better. One more thing----- Larry loaned us the RV.  We could not have done without it.

It’s Friday night before the walk starts and I really wanted to have a good meal to start things off.  We were parked next to the Econo Lodge in Dillon, SC in a BBQ parking lot.  I think it was called “Sweetie’s BBQ.  A real sweetheart was working there that allowed me to fill my large pot with clean water. I started boiling water and ran out of propane.  The nice young lady also let me have some propane. We got it done and hope was ok.  Any way, enough of that.

Saturday morning, March 1st we all met at the SC/NC line on Rt. 301.  A few Harley riders were there to greet us---- i think they were Patriot Guard or Rolling Thunder, anyway --------- thanks.  At 7:30 am they started their walk to DC. WOW.  Let me tell you folks something. Talking about walking 25 to 26 miles a day is one thing and doing it is another.  Remember, I am sitting there driving 3 to 3 1/2 miles an hour and I can see it all. I’m thinking this is incredible.  They have only 390 miles to go.  We take lunch break about noon. Tthe reason Dennis brought me along was to fix lunch.  It was pretty normal for everybody except for Carl.  He was the easiest one to fix for because he only wanted salami, provolone cheese and mustard on wheat bread-- how easy was that.  Dennis was easy also because he and Aida would split a sandwich. You know, kill two birds with one stone. Gerry always wanted to feel warm and fuzzy, and had to make his a certain way. Marc, you know being from California had to have his a certain way also, but it all was fun.

All of a sudden out of nowhere this guy with flags, bumper-stickers, and Lord knows what comes around us, and goes about a mile ahead of us, waits on us and starts taking pictures of us. I looked at this guy and thought this is our first opposition, on the first day. Long hair, full beard, typical on the left, if you know what I mean. He follows us for several hours taking pictures, letting us pass by, passing us back, taking more pictures.  I’m thinking, who is this guy. Let me tell you about Ross “BUBBA” McDowell. This is one of the cooliest guys I have ever met, and what a great American and patriot. Bubba I am sorry to hear about your dad, and I hope you know how we all feel about you.----thanks ----- Bubba was with us, on and off for almost a week. I almost hate to mention people’s names, because I don’t want to forget anyone. I would like to thank the VFW and American Legion in Dunn, NC for the donuts, coffee and the support we got from them. Also would like to thank Jerry Tart and the American Legion in Benson and all the ladies for the wonderful lunch there. Also thanks for the water you gave, Betsy, while we were there. Oh, Betsy is the RV!

By day five, I understand what the word RESOLVE means. Their feet and knees are killing them, but they keep on trucking. They have blisters in places you cant imagine. Also thanks to ‘Parkers BBQ in Wilson, NC for the wonderful meal there, and donated to us by Mike McNeely---thanks. And come to find out Parkers BBQ would not let Mike pay for the meal.--thank you. One of the best things on this trip that I witnessed, was a young man 10-12 years old came running out of his house and gave one of the guys walking 75 cents for support---how cool. I'll tell you one thing, North Carolina is a great state and very patriotic.

Still moving North on 301 heading to last stop of day in Halifax at the school administration building.  What a reception. It was raining.  By the way, our guys don’t stop because it rains. Lots of folks there. American Legion in Weldon treated us to a great meal at Ralphs BBQ. Also thanks to Noah Joyner for putting us up for the night in Roanoke Rapids.  Really met a lot of nice people there.

Shucks, I almost forgot Carl Smith. I’m sorry Carl.  I don’t remember the exact day Carl started with us, but thanks Carl.  He stayed with us during the day until we got to Emporia, VA and then stayed with us all the way to DC.  Thanks to Joan, his wife, for letting him come. Carl became a very important part of our march. Thanks Carl--stay in touch.

I also want to thank all the other walkers who joined in and helped out time to time to get these guys through this. By the time we get to Emporia, Dennis and Carl have walked through 2 days of heavy rain and one day of heavy winds. They have blisters by now under toe nails---disgusting. We finished Day 8 which is sat @ a Second Chance Christan center 5 miles south of Emporia..  Carl Heerup and I started towards the motel in Emporia, and we get a call from Dennis telling us we have missed the turn to the motel. I told Carl I don’t think we did, but turned around anyway and followed Dennis and Aida in their car. You have to remember, I can’t go over 25 to 30 miles an hour in the RV because of all the signs on it keeping the signs from ripping off from the wind.  Anyway, here we are following Dennis and Aida, when all of a sudden we are traveling Soutbound on I-95.  We should not be on the Interstate at all because i can’t go fast enough.  Anyway, I go to the next exit south, get back on 301 and continue to travel north to the motel. Everybody is ok. Well----------except for Aida!  Anyway, later that evening she and I had to resupply the RV for food. She came out to the RV and was not very happy. She had been wearing a baseball hat all day, and I thought she looked cute in it, but she told me she was not a happy camper. She had no time to wash her hair in four days and was sick of wearing the baseball hat. She was later carded at Walgreens and got upset about that. PLEASE--- card me.  Let me tell you about Aida. She outworked everyone, and I mean that.  You would of had to be been there to see it. Dennis--------------she’s a keeper. RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR.

At any rate, we are in Virginia. Southern Virginia was very lonely until we get between Emporia and Stoney Creek. Here comes three motorcycles--rolling thunder. David McDole and Steve .Thanks to David (AL Post 2) for putting us up for the night at the Sleep Inn at Stoney Creek. Had a great visit and fellowship. Enjoyed the (lc and loudmouth). Let’s do it again.

Still traveling North on 301 the guys are really hurting. The hills are getting bigger. We also need to thank Ladysmith American Legion and the rescue squad for the spaghetti supper----very good---thanks so much. By now we have left 301 and are on US 1 headed towards Fredericksburg. The guys are really hurting by now. Their feet look like hamburger, both guys’ knees are hurting very bad, and due to the hills, Dennis's shin splints are killing him. That evening, we were treated to Golden Coral restaurant, and the pleasure of company of Don Blosser and Randy Schrader from Spotsylvania American Legion, which by the way set this evening meal up for us. The guys from Spotsylvania were terrific and thanks to all of them including Ted Worley for help making this trip a success. Just to let folks know, Dennis had to be helped into the restaurant. The next morning at around 6:00 am Dennis was outside the motel trying to walk, and was having a very difficult time trying to do so. I watched him for a while and decided to talk to him a bit. Well, that didn’t work. I told him maybe he should sit this day out to heal, and he immediatley  turned away from me and walked away. Come to find out, he was walking around to get his lower part of his body------NUMB. Larry the cable guy would be very proud of Dennis  because he exemplifies what the word get-er-done means!

Here we go again---3 miles per hour. Don Blosser walks with us today. I want to thank the folks at the American Legion in Lorton, VA for the wonderful lunch and fellowship. Great job, because everyone is sick and tired of my sandwiches, and I don’t blame them. By this time Larry, Kenny, Jean and Patti have come back from Delaware to join in to the end. Glad to see them. Now we are on the way to American Legion---Fairfax. These guys were, well, unreal. They put us up in the Hampton Inn, Fairfax for three nights.  I know Aida was happy because she was tired of all the Econo Lodges---ha-ha, and don’t forget about three nights of flat iron steaks at AL Post 177. I don’t know how to thank AL Fairfax enough.

Things are better on Saturday because we have more participants walking with the guys. Mark is back from California, and has his sweetipie Alice with him.  Carl also has his babydoll Annie with him from Arizona--things are better, finally. Also Mark Huling, his daughter Holly, and son Chad came up from Florida to give their support----thanks.  We got through Saturday with a fair crowd and are looking forward to Sunday.

We met at the American Legion on Sunday morning before 8:00.  Stepoff for the final 16 miles into DC, expecting a very large crowd. Unfortunately, that was not the case. I really don’t know why, but we really appreciate the people that did come and support us because it was cold and damp in the morning. I thought maybe there would be a large gathering in DC, but that was not the case. I was so excited to see the guys walk down and around Lincoln  Memorial and finally have the mission accomplished. Dennis, Carl and Marc all spoke at the steps at such a historical place, and I was very proud of all them. I have probably rambled on till everyone is sick of me, but before I finish I need just another moment. I can’t tell people how exciting and heart warming to have done what I did in the last 16-20 day. Ii wish everyone could have been in the same seat as me. To watch these guys walk almost 400 miles and have the encounters that I had and met the people that I have met is incredible. Dennis, Carl,Marc----you guys are incredible and it has been a pleasure to have done this with you. Aida-----believe me when I say this---you are the one person that we could not have done without –RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR. There were so many people along the way that helped us get through this journey. I apologize to any of you that I forgot. Ross, Dan thanks so much for being there and taking care of the web sight.  Llarry Hoffa, Coop, Concrete Bob- thanks for your support and for walking. Also can’t forget Jerry Tart from Dunn, NC. Last, but not least, thanks to Dean Strong for all the miles you put on your car in NC and being with us to help make this march possible. Bob Sussan, thanks so much for your support.  Without folks like you, Dean and everyone along the way, this would not have worked.

RESOLVE TO WIN is so very important, that it does not stop here, because one thing that I learned on this march is that people need to be educated concerning our military. I don’t understand why our Country is not as patriotic as it should be.  I don’t get it and that is why RESOLVE TO WIN NEEDS TO GO FORWARD.

In closing---  I want to talk about the American Legion. The American Legion is such a great organization and wants people to support our troops and the military, which we should.  You guys need to find a way to bring patriotic non-military people into your post. There are a lot of us around who could make a valuable contribution. Again, thanks to everybody for the opportunity---it was great.  And God Bless the United States of America.--------------

Don Robertson---New Smyrna Beach, FL

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Monday, March 24, 2008 - Don Robertson Post Comment

Just wnated to let Don know that I enjoyed his comments on the trip and certainly agree that we need to carrie it on to the next stage! I as well as my kids truely enjoyed the two days that we walked Saturday-Sunday. The speech that Dennis, Marc and Carl gave at the Memorial was very special.
This alone was worth every moment on the trip to get to DC!
Posted by Mark Huling