Arrival:  Riders began placing 60 flags along the entry road into the school lot where the RFTW participants would be parking.  We were assisted by the Boy and Girl Scouts who were waiting as volunteers.   When the advance riders began to arrive the PGR took up positions along the entry road to keep the well wishers off of the road.  After RFTW Road Guards had parked, they walked among the crowd to talk and shake hands.   As the participants began to arrive, the crowds cheered and waived small flags.  Cycle horns were blowing and waves from riders were plentiful.  Several people were observed with tears in their eyes.  It was a truly emotional scene.  

After all participants had arrived, the flag line was taken down and riders dismissed with a prayer.

Departure:  Sunday morning began with calm winds and mild temperatures.  Riders placed 50 flags on the bridge over I-20 at every guard rail support and went from one end to the other.  A PGR flag and banner were also hung from the bridge.  Crowds began to arrive and line the bridge as the expected time for the Run to pass under the bridge approached.  Eventually a Grand Prairie Fire snorkel truck parked on the bridge and turned on its lights.  The crowd and riders waived as passing trucks and cars passed underneath us, many blowing horns and waiving in the windows, even a few military convoys passed.  As we waited for the Run many pictures were taken.  Finally we noticed that there was no more traffic on the I-20 eastbound lanes, the signal that Run was approaching.  As the Run participants passed beneath us, we were all waving and cheering, often returned by the riders on the Run.  It's an amazing site to look out and see hundreds of motorcycles as far as you can see approaching, truly awesome.   The North Texas PGR had two riders participating in the run but it wasn't possible to spot them in this highly organized and close procession.

After the Run had passed, the flags were removed and furled and the riders dismissed with prayer to remember why the Run was being made, to remember those who did not come home.


