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| Springfield IL |
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| Abraham Lincoln Street |
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| President Lincoln's home |
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
St. Louis, Missouri
vegash2opolodad@gmail.com to me
show details 1:53 AM (3 hours ago)
Saying goodbye to my birth state Missouri as we Just ran past the St. Louis Arch and in to Illinois heading north towards Chicago. Goodbye Missouri, it was nice seeing you again and hope to be back sooner than later.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
show details 1:53 AM (3 hours ago)
Saying goodbye to my birth state Missouri as we Just ran past the St. Louis Arch and in to Illinois heading north towards Chicago. Goodbye Missouri, it was nice seeing you again and hope to be back sooner than later.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
Monday, August 30, 2010
Day 18 Missouri
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| Tour of Duty - Run across America today we entered into God's country . . . Missouri. Nothing but green grass, rolling hills |
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| The crew from Cape Girardeau station 1 with their ladder, an honor guard and pipe band. Check out the roof top drummer |
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| Cape Girardeau |
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| ...glad that these are not Rob & John |
Krissy Spencer's FB post as TOD conquers Arkansas!
posted by Pat Wills
Pamela Pipkin
He just passed in front of our shop in Marion Arkansas now!!!
Shelley Taylor-Smith
Pig Sooiieee. Marion I am a Lady Razorback graduate. Glad to have you onboard as a TOD fan.
ShayandKriss Spencer Woo Pig!!!! Lots of Arkansas folks on here supporting TOD folks! Rob Wills is my cuz and an incredible man!!! We thank him AND all the others doing this for America! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
Pamela Pipkin
He just passed in front of our shop in Marion Arkansas now!!!
Shelley Taylor-Smith
Pig Sooiieee. Marion I am a Lady Razorback graduate. Glad to have you onboard as a TOD fan.
ShayandKriss Spencer Woo Pig!!!! Lots of Arkansas folks on here supporting TOD folks! Rob Wills is my cuz and an incredible man!!! We thank him AND all the others doing this for America! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
Latest TOD news coverage
posted by Pat Wills
It's the individual people that they encounter on their daily runs, whose lives they inspire, and hope to never forget ... as their journey countinues... keep them in your prayers.
L’Observatorin La Place, LA
http://www.lobservateur.com/content/current/page1.pdf
http://www.lobservateur.com/
WMC TV-5, Memphis
http://www.wmctv.com/global/story.asp?s=13063814
It's the individual people that they encounter on their daily runs, whose lives they inspire, and hope to never forget ... as their journey countinues... keep them in your prayers.
L’Observatorin La Place, LA
http://www.lobservateur.com/content/current/page1.pdf
http://www.lobservateur.com/
WMC TV-5, Memphis
http://www.wmctv.com/global/story.asp?s=13063814
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Headed to Graceland!
posted by Pat Wills
Hi everyone.
Randy, Rob's nephew, with his wife Kathryn, kids Kennedy, Reagan and Jayce made the 3 hour drive from Spring Hill to Memphis TN to meet up with their uncle.
I asked Kennedy what she thought of Uncle Rob's motorhome. She said it's cool. I asked her if she saw where he sleeps. She said yes. I asked her if he showed her his snack drawer. She paused...and said noooooo....I think she'll be discovering that soon.
What a pleasant treat. The girls are in the motorhome right now riding with Rob to the meeting point where the team is running on Elvis Presley Blvd. into Graceland.
Thanks Randy, Kathryn, Kennedy, Reagan and Jayce.
Hi everyone.
Randy, Rob's nephew, with his wife Kathryn, kids Kennedy, Reagan and Jayce made the 3 hour drive from Spring Hill to Memphis TN to meet up with their uncle.
I asked Kennedy what she thought of Uncle Rob's motorhome. She said it's cool. I asked her if she saw where he sleeps. She said yes. I asked her if he showed her his snack drawer. She paused...and said noooooo....I think she'll be discovering that soon.
What a pleasant treat. The girls are in the motorhome right now riding with Rob to the meeting point where the team is running on Elvis Presley Blvd. into Graceland.
Thanks Randy, Kathryn, Kennedy, Reagan and Jayce.
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Tour Of Duty August 23 & 26
this has Rob & John from Aug 26
http://www.vimeo.com/14473023
gotta watch...hilarious!
http://www.vimeo.com/14454369
http://www.vimeo.com/14473023
gotta watch...hilarious!
http://www.vimeo.com/14454369
Friday, August 27, 2010
NEW ORLEANS - HALF WAY TO NEW YORK!
Hello everyone. This is really the first time I've been able to take a break (and have the internet access) to write a new post. As you can see by reviewing the Blog, Pat has been very busy keeping up with all the events and posting the information on this blog. She is the best. Although I'm not able to answer all the comments on the blog, I do get a chance to read them all - they give me the energy to push through some of the tough runs and lack of sleep that seems to never end - thank you all very much for the nice words and encouragement.
Living in this RV with 5 others (4 of which I've just met) can be a challenge sometimes. Each have unique personalities and ways to look at things. As you all know, I am one that does not like to be late for anything. If I am going to see a show with family, or meet someone for dinner, or have a work meeting to get to, I like to get there early or at least on time. The Aussie's have a different way of looking at time. If you say "we need to be ready to leave by noon", the Australian's take that to mean "we need to start getting ready at noon". This kind of carefree attitude, when it comes to being at places at certain times, stresses me out! But, I've learned to adapt by adjusting "ready to leave" times by an hour early - so we actually leave on time and get to where we need to be (most of the time) now.
Our days come in 18 hour increments - (6) hours of running then (12) hours before our next run begins. The days/times/places for the most part run together and I really have to think sometimes of what day/date it is and what our location is and where we're headed. The (12) hours goes by quickly and break down to this: (2) hours to drive to our next location so we are near the start of our next shift; 2 - 3 hours to shower and do laundry; leaving about 7 hours to eat, gas up RV, fill water tanks on RV, empty waste water in RV, miscellaneous things like coordinating the next route with the other groups, media events, etc - and then sleep. In my normal life I try and get about 8 hours of sleep each night. On this trip I am averaging about 4 hours of sleep between shifts, with as little as (2) hours and as much as (6) hours of sleep! Surprisingly I am doing ok with 1/2 my normal amount of sleep.
As you can see by the heading, we've made it to New Orleans, the half-way point of our run! It really has been amazing so far with so many more unbelievable events scheduled for the next two weeks. From what I know now, subject to change of course, we'll be running in to Memphis on Sunday, 8-29-10, where we will be driven to Graceland for a private tour. I don't know why there is a museum because Elvis is still alive! We'll continue north arriving in Chicago on Wednesday, 9-1-10, afternoon. There are a lot of events scheduled in Chicago, including a great reception all the way in to town, a tour of Chicago from a tour boat on Lake Michigan, and many other events during our 24 hour lay-over there. We'll run out towards Washington, stopping briefly at the Flight 93 Memorial on Sunday, 9-5-10, afternoon. We arrive in Washington DC on Tuesday, 9-7-10, and have a 2 day lay over for dozens of events, tours, media interviews, etc. I'll have more details as we get closer to that date. We leave Washington DC on Thursday, 9-9-10, enroute to New York. Once we arrive in New York in the very early hours of 9-11-10, we will run down Manhattan along (or through) Central Park with a very large procession of first responders leading the way. We will dress in our "BDU" uniforms and walk across the Brooklyn Bridge in a group to the World Trade Center memorial site. I believe we will all change into our "Class A" uniforms for the tribute ceremony honoring the victims of 9-11 at 8:46am, which, of course, is the purpose of this event and why we all took on this once in a lifetime challenge.
Thanks again everyone, I'll try and do an update when I can. Rob.
Living in this RV with 5 others (4 of which I've just met) can be a challenge sometimes. Each have unique personalities and ways to look at things. As you all know, I am one that does not like to be late for anything. If I am going to see a show with family, or meet someone for dinner, or have a work meeting to get to, I like to get there early or at least on time. The Aussie's have a different way of looking at time. If you say "we need to be ready to leave by noon", the Australian's take that to mean "we need to start getting ready at noon". This kind of carefree attitude, when it comes to being at places at certain times, stresses me out! But, I've learned to adapt by adjusting "ready to leave" times by an hour early - so we actually leave on time and get to where we need to be (most of the time) now.
Our days come in 18 hour increments - (6) hours of running then (12) hours before our next run begins. The days/times/places for the most part run together and I really have to think sometimes of what day/date it is and what our location is and where we're headed. The (12) hours goes by quickly and break down to this: (2) hours to drive to our next location so we are near the start of our next shift; 2 - 3 hours to shower and do laundry; leaving about 7 hours to eat, gas up RV, fill water tanks on RV, empty waste water in RV, miscellaneous things like coordinating the next route with the other groups, media events, etc - and then sleep. In my normal life I try and get about 8 hours of sleep each night. On this trip I am averaging about 4 hours of sleep between shifts, with as little as (2) hours and as much as (6) hours of sleep! Surprisingly I am doing ok with 1/2 my normal amount of sleep.
As you can see by the heading, we've made it to New Orleans, the half-way point of our run! It really has been amazing so far with so many more unbelievable events scheduled for the next two weeks. From what I know now, subject to change of course, we'll be running in to Memphis on Sunday, 8-29-10, where we will be driven to Graceland for a private tour. I don't know why there is a museum because Elvis is still alive! We'll continue north arriving in Chicago on Wednesday, 9-1-10, afternoon. There are a lot of events scheduled in Chicago, including a great reception all the way in to town, a tour of Chicago from a tour boat on Lake Michigan, and many other events during our 24 hour lay-over there. We'll run out towards Washington, stopping briefly at the Flight 93 Memorial on Sunday, 9-5-10, afternoon. We arrive in Washington DC on Tuesday, 9-7-10, and have a 2 day lay over for dozens of events, tours, media interviews, etc. I'll have more details as we get closer to that date. We leave Washington DC on Thursday, 9-9-10, enroute to New York. Once we arrive in New York in the very early hours of 9-11-10, we will run down Manhattan along (or through) Central Park with a very large procession of first responders leading the way. We will dress in our "BDU" uniforms and walk across the Brooklyn Bridge in a group to the World Trade Center memorial site. I believe we will all change into our "Class A" uniforms for the tribute ceremony honoring the victims of 9-11 at 8:46am, which, of course, is the purpose of this event and why we all took on this once in a lifetime challenge.
Thanks again everyone, I'll try and do an update when I can. Rob.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
LVMPD participates in National Tour of Duty Run
posted by Pat Wills
The Tour of Duty delegated each runner a responsibility to coordinate one state, from the permits that need to be pulled to travel on state roads which secures the route they would be taking. Rob was responsible for the state of Nevada.
The Tour of Duty delegated each runner a responsibility to coordinate one state, from the permits that need to be pulled to travel on state roads which secures the route they would be taking. Rob was responsible for the state of Nevada.
JAMBALAYA!
Rob Wills to me
show details 2:43 PM (8 minutes ago)
JAMBALAYA! New Orleans at last! We made it in to New Orleans at about 4:00pm to a great reception on residents, firefighters and police officers cheering our arrival. I have a feeling its going to be a very long night for a lot of these guys. We start the 2nd half of this run by heading back out north to Mississippi at noon tomorrow. My group ended the run into New Orleans so we'll be back running tomorrow night at midnight for another double shift. We will be taking a tour of Graceland when we get to Tennessee - Elvis is alive!
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| John's plate he is sharing with Brad |
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| Here's Rob's plate...are you surprised? |
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| Bourbon Street |
More media coverage as TOD hits the halfway point!
http://www.katc.com/player/?video_id=4153
http://www.kplctv.com/Global/story.asp?S=13042039
http://www.beaumontenterprise.com/news/local/runners_commemorating_9_11_stop_in_beaumont.html?c=y&page=1#storytop
http://www.kfdm.com/articles/duty-39176-through-tour.html
http://www.katc.com/news/tour-of-duty-comes-through-acadiana/
http://www.kplctv.com/Global/story.asp?S=13042039
http://www.beaumontenterprise.com/news/local/runners_commemorating_9_11_stop_in_beaumont.html?c=y&page=1#storytop
http://www.kfdm.com/articles/duty-39176-through-tour.html
http://www.katc.com/news/tour-of-duty-comes-through-acadiana/
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
News coverage in some TX counties
c/o Holly Harmon's FB
Lewisville Leader Star (Lewisville, TX), and Tour of Duty is the lead article on homepage
Star Local News Lewisville Leader News Runners brave heat to honor fallen 9/11 police, firefighters
Montgomery County, Texas The Courier's
http://www.hcnonline.com/conroe_courier/front/
Lewisville Leader Star (Lewisville, TX), and Tour of Duty is the lead article on homepage
Star Local News Lewisville Leader News Runners brave heat to honor fallen 9/11 police, firefighters
Montgomery County, Texas The Courier's
http://www.hcnonline.com/conroe_courier/front/
TX pics
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| I think Val gets a new puppy! |
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| Fire hydrant used in the latest 101 Dalmations movie, located in Beaumont Texas |
New Orleans here we come
vegash2opolodad@gmail.com to me
show details 2:02 AM (3 hours ago)
We're heading east on I10 from Houston towards the Louisiana border. It is a good morning for running - I'll take the early morning warm temperatures instead of the mid-day extreme heat and humidity any day! I have another 6 hour shift tonight at 6:00pm and then we hit the 1/2 way mark of New Orleans the next morning I believe. Other than 2 toes (pinky toe on each foot) being black and blue from the pounding and a few blisters, I'm injury free and feeling great!
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
show details 2:02 AM (3 hours ago)
We're heading east on I10 from Houston towards the Louisiana border. It is a good morning for running - I'll take the early morning warm temperatures instead of the mid-day extreme heat and humidity any day! I have another 6 hour shift tonight at 6:00pm and then we hit the 1/2 way mark of New Orleans the next morning I believe. Other than 2 toes (pinky toe on each foot) being black and blue from the pounding and a few blisters, I'm injury free and feeling great!
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Pics - Oklahoma to Dallas
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| TOD runners leaving OK |
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| Lewisville police stand at attention |
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| Rob with Sergio |
Day 12 - Tuesday 8-24-10
show details 11:50 AM (17 minutes ago)
Finished our 6:00am - noon shift running south bound on I45 frontage road towards Houston Texas where we will be showering, eating, sleeping (ya right) and ready for our midnight to 6:00am run tonight...we'll continue south towards New Orleans which will be about our halfway point to New York! Whew! I'm feeling great and in fact ran my fastest mile in a long time this morning, a 6:34 minute mile. I'm keeping hydrated or my wife will fly to me and drag me off the run! Hahaha. Thanks for all the nice comments on the Blog - even though I can't always answer them I get to read the blog every once in a while when I have internet service.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
Lafayette, LA news coverage
via Tour of Duty Run Across America
http://www.katc.com/news/remembering-911-run-to-pass-through-acadiana/
http://www.katc.com/news/remembering-911-run-to-pass-through-acadiana/
Rob ran in memory of the following 9/11 victims - week 2
posted by Pat Wills
Friday August 20, 2010
8:00 Bridget Ann Esposito I40-mile marker 300 TX
9:30 AM Catherine K. Fagan I40-mile marker 312 TX
10:02 AM Sandra Fajardo-Smith I40-mile marker 315 TX
Saturday August 21, 2010
2:00 AM Bradley James Fetchet I40-mile marker 112 @ Groom exit in front of large lit cross with a full moon TX
3:30 AM Martin Giovinazzo I40-mile marker 117 TX
5:00 AM Mon Gjonbalaj I40-mile marker 123 TX
Sunday August 22, 2010
6:00 PM William Robert Godshalk I40-mile marker 61 OK
7:15 PM Monica Goldstein Gary Blvd./Business 40 Clinton OK
8:30 PM Jose Bienzenido Gomez I40-mile marker 71 OK
Monday August 23, 2010
12:30 PM Ramon Grijalvo Route 77 14 miles south of Davis OK
1:45 PM Stephen Hucvko Jr. Route 77 17 miles south of Davis OK
2:30 PM Joseph Hunter Business route 35E mile marker 436 TX
Tuesday August 24, 2010
9:10 AM Brooke Alexandra Jackman southbound I45 frontage rd mile marker 151 TX
10:15 AM Ricknauth Jaggermauth southbound I45 frontage rd mile marker 145 TX
11:00 AM Priscilla James southbound I45 frontage rd mile marker 139 (TX 75) TX
11:45 AM Alva Cynthia Jeffries Sanchez southbound I45 frontage rd mile marker 133 (TX 75) TX
Friday August 20, 2010
8:00 Bridget Ann Esposito I40-mile marker 300 TX
9:30 AM Catherine K. Fagan I40-mile marker 312 TX
10:02 AM Sandra Fajardo-Smith I40-mile marker 315 TX
Saturday August 21, 2010
2:00 AM Bradley James Fetchet I40-mile marker 112 @ Groom exit in front of large lit cross with a full moon TX
3:30 AM Martin Giovinazzo I40-mile marker 117 TX
5:00 AM Mon Gjonbalaj I40-mile marker 123 TX
Sunday August 22, 2010
6:00 PM William Robert Godshalk I40-mile marker 61 OK
7:15 PM Monica Goldstein Gary Blvd./Business 40 Clinton OK
8:30 PM Jose Bienzenido Gomez I40-mile marker 71 OK
Monday August 23, 2010
12:30 PM Ramon Grijalvo Route 77 14 miles south of Davis OK
1:45 PM Stephen Hucvko Jr. Route 77 17 miles south of Davis OK
2:30 PM Joseph Hunter Business route 35E mile marker 436 TX
Tuesday August 24, 2010
9:10 AM Brooke Alexandra Jackman southbound I45 frontage rd mile marker 151 TX
10:15 AM Ricknauth Jaggermauth southbound I45 frontage rd mile marker 145 TX
11:00 AM Priscilla James southbound I45 frontage rd mile marker 139 (TX 75) TX
11:45 AM Alva Cynthia Jeffries Sanchez southbound I45 frontage rd mile marker 133 (TX 75) TX
Texoma, TX news coverage
via Tour of Duty - Run across America
http://www.kxii.com/news/headlines/101279089.html"Tour of Duty" runs for 9-11 victims through Texoma
http://www.kxii.com/news/headlines/101279089.html"Tour of Duty" runs for 9-11 victims through Texoma
Dallas, TX news coverage
via Tour of Duty - Run across America
http://weatherblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2010/08/cross-country-run-honoring-fallen-911-fi.html
http://weatherblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2010/08/cross-country-run-honoring-fallen-911-fi.html
Beaumont, TX news coverage
via Tour of Duty - Run across America
Runners on 9-11 trek come through Beaumont
http://www.beaumontenterprise.com/news/local/runners_on_9-11_trek_come_through_beaumont.html
Runners on 9-11 trek come through Beaumont
http://www.beaumontenterprise.com/news/local/runners_on_9-11_trek_come_through_beaumont.html
Day 12
posted by Pat Wills
6 am to noon shift, headed to Houson TX. They are scheduled for a 4 pm New Orleans arrival on Thursday, Aug 26.
6 am to noon shift, headed to Houson TX. They are scheduled for a 4 pm New Orleans arrival on Thursday, Aug 26.
Monday, August 23, 2010
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