Tour of the OKLAHOMA NATIONAL MEMORIAL

The Gates of Time

The Survivor Tree - survived the blast of April 19, 1995

Field of Empty Chairs

Actual part of th Murrah Federal Building foundation

Remembrance fr a memorial marathon

Rob @ Oklahoma City National Memorial

John @ Oklahoma City National Memorial

Day 10, OKLAHOMA CITY!

posted by Pat Wills

Good morning!
The team has arrived in Oklahoma City.  I guess there's a bit of confusion on today's ceremonies so I asked him to rest while the organizers sort things out. 
Today's layover was suppose to be until midnight but was shortened to have a noon departure with the red team.  Rob is running again @ 6pm. 
He is trying to meet up with his brother, Ray, who is an hour and a half away, but not sure if that will happen.
Please keep your comments coming.  For the first time yesterday, they actually had internet access and he was able to see his blog.
Thank you for all your support.
There are some amazing photos by Grant...ck the Erickson to Oklahoma photo gallery folder and the video updates are so goooood...on Tour of Duty website.

Day 9, second shift starting in 8 minutes

vegash2opolodad@gmail.com to me

show details 5:26 PM (28 minutes ago)

Thanks Dear. We are running through Clinton Oklahoma and will be in Oklahoma City at 05:30am to lay a wreath at the Murrah Federal Building. We are only there for 6 hours of ceremonies with the Red Group starting at noon handing off to us at 6:00pm heading south towards Dallas, then Houston and on to New Orleans. On my Blog can you change "Texas" on the states we've completed to "Texas Pan Handle" and mark that complete please? Thanks Dear, I love you dear.

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Steve Percival and Pat Maloney exchanging legs in Oklahoma.

Message from Mel Stewart, USA Olympic Gold champ

c/o Shelley Taylor-Smith

USA Olympic Gold 200 m Butterfly Champion sending a personal message to the Tour of Duty - Run Across America, honouring the remembrance of 9/11.

KFDA - NewsChannel 10 / Amarillo News, Weather, Sports

c/o Holly Harmon on FB

Firefighters Run Cross-Country for 9/11 - KFDA - NewsChannel 10 / Amarillo News, Weather, Sports

White teammates Rachel Cowling & Pat ...

c/o Shelley Taylor-Smith
posted by Pat Wills

Rachel & Pat from Rob's team...

Roll over in Oklahoma on I40

posted by Pat Wills

Rob Wills to me


show details 10:50 AM (15 minutes ago)

Roll over in Oklahoma on I40....Tour Of Duty White Group first on scene attending to two passengers (one pinned inside) prior to the emergency responders arrival. Awesome work by the White groups life saving actions.

TOD @ Las Vegas sign

c/o  Shelley Taylor-Smith
posted by Pat Wills

Video footage @ Fremont Street Experience

c/o Shelley Taylor-Smith
posted by Pat Wills

Day 9, midnight to 6 am shift over for now...second shift tonight @ 6pm

posted by Pat Wills

vegash2opolodad@gmail.com to me

show details 4:48 AM (1 hour ago)


Hello Dear...I started my run this morning outside Armarillo Texas on I40 in Groom in front of the tall lit cross we stopped at when we visited Ray earlier this year. It was a star lit night with a full moon just above the cross - it was a very beautiful sight to see - I wish you were there to see it with me. We're done for the morning and start back up for the 6pm to midnight shift tonight. We're stopped at a truck stop to sleep and when we get up we'll drive up to our starting spot. Tell everyone I'm doing fine and I miss them.

I love you Dearie,

Blue Eyes.

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

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vegash2opolodad@gmail.com to me
show details 5:11 AM (39 minutes ago)


Only 2 more months until my birthday!

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Message from Fran Crippen, USA Swim Team & World Champ

c/o Shelley Taylor-Smith
posted by Pat Wills

Here's quite a few pictures from John Melia Gallup NM to Amarillo TX

Rob with Chicago Fire Capt Pat Maloney and a supporter

Rob takes over for Pat

Rob's grandpa was a very good pottery maker for Van Buren company

Fire academy cadets run with TOD runner

Rob, Rachel, Brad, Steve, Pat & John

Much awaited pics from yesterday's run

End of day 8

Rob Wills to me


show details 9:20 AM (57 minutes ago)

More "scenery" per Jo Ann and Cindi's request. Awaiting our teammate to finish his 2nd leg of our 6 hour run east bound on I40, 30 miles from Tucumcari New Mexico.
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Rob Wills to me

show details 9:50 AM (29 minutes ago)

Good morning Dearie

We're on the road east bound on I40 still in New Mexico. We'll get the team close and the Blue team will bring it in to the Texas border by 6:00pm. I love you and talk to you soon.
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Rob Wills to me

show details 9:46 AM (34 minutes ago)

My shadow on top of the RV with John Melia being escorted east bound down I40 with the early morning sun in his face.
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Rob Wills to cmagee, me

show details 10:57 AM (25 minutes ago)

You'd love this place Chris! It is on Route 66 just west of Tucumcari, New Mexico.
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End of 6 am to 12 noon shift, day 8
White team has driven to Amarillo, TX where they will be resting for tomorrow's DOUBLE shift - midnight to 6am and 6pm to midnight.

End of Day 7, posting today's emails fr Rob

Rob Wills to me

show details 3:00 PM (4 hours ago)

Just passing through Edgewood New Mexico and going strong! I ran as Forrest Gump my last leg! Pretty hot under all that hair and beard but pretty funny picture - this very hairy and bearded man wearing a red "Bubba Gump" ball cap, plaid shirt with black socks pulled up to his knees running down famous Route 66 following a fire truck and being followed by a large fire engine with all emergency lights on!

People must have been scratching their heads wondering what was going on. Hahaha.

I love you Dearie.
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Rob Wills to me

show details 6:39 PM (1 hour ago)

New York fire fighter Kevin O'Grady playing the bagpipes at roadside transition where we grilled steaks and potatoes. Good food but not the same cooking as your's dear! We are done for the night and heading to our next point for 6:00am start in Tucumcari, New Mexico.  The blue team will be running in to Texas. So, after tomorrow's shift, we'll have another state completed. For now, it's one week down, 3 weeks to go!

I love you Dearie.

Blue Eyes.

Rob ran in memory of the following 9/11 victims - week 1

posted by Pat Wills

At 8:46 am every morning, 16 names of 9/11 victims are read.  Every runner dedicates each leg to a specific person.  These are the people Rob has dedicated his runs for the first week.

Thursday August 12, 2010

12:30 PM      Richard Lanard Allen             1800 Hunington Blvd.  CA
3:30 PM        Christopher Amoroso             Foothill Ave/Central Clairemont, CA
5:00 PM        Laura Angilletta                       Foothill Ave/Cherry St Fontana, CA
Friday August 13, 2010
1:00 PM       Joshua Aron                              Mile marker 4 LVB & Jean NV
Sunday August 15, 2010
9:00 PM       Irina Busio                                  NV state route 163-5 miles east of US 95 NV
Monday August 16, 2010
10:00 PM     Patrick Byme                             NV state route 160-mile marker 10 NV
10:40 PM     Brian Joseph Cathia                 NV state route 160-mile marker 14 NV
11:20 PM     Scott Walter Cahill                     NV state route 160-mile marker 19 NV
Tuesday August 17, 2010
1:00 PM       Edward Calderon                        AZ state route 68-mile marker 5 AZ
2:00 PM       Dominick Enrico Calia               AZ state route 60-mile marker 120 AZ
2:40 PM       Luigi Calvi                                    AZ state route 60-mile marker 124 AZ
3:20 PM       Jeoffrey Thomas Campbell        AZ state route 60-mile marker 128 AZ
Wednesday August 18, 2010
7:00 AM       Stephen J. Cangialosi                 AZ state route 87-mile marker 239 AZ
7:40 AM       Kevin Cosgrove                            AZ state route 260-mile marker 273 AZ
8:20 AM      John Gerard Coughlin                   AZ state route 260-mile marker 279 AZ
Thursday August 19, 2010
12:00 PM    Michael Jude D-Esposito              Route 66-mile marker 15 NM
1:10 PM      Jeannine Marie Damiani-Jones    Route 66-mile marker 24 NM
2:20 PM      Christopher Epps                            Route 40-mile marker 201 NM

PIO LVMPD shared Rob's blog this morning....thank you

http://www.facebook.com/LVMPD

Day 7, noon to 6 pm shift...good morning everyone!

Good morning Dear
vegash2opolodad@gmail.com to Pat
show details 7:27 AM (12 minutes ago)

Getting ready for my 12:00 shift. Taking shower at fire fighter academy in Albuquerque and on the road soon. I love you Dearie.

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
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Albuquerque, New Mexico Current Conditions Local Time: 8:31 AM MDT

     Alameda and the River, Albuquerque, New Mexico (PWS)
     68.7 °F
     Scattered Clouds
     Humidity: 78%
     Dew Point: 62 °F
     Wind: Calm
     Wind Gust: 0.0 mph
     Pressure: 29.71 in (Rising)
     Visibility: 10.0 miles
     UV: 1 out of 16
     Pollen: 6.40 out of 12
     Clouds: Few 11000 ft
     Scattered Clouds 20000 ft
     (Above Ground Level)
     Elevation: 4999 ft

White team's 12 noon to 6 pm route through Canada Village, Tijeras, Edgewood, Moriaty, Hwy 40 Rt 66 into the heart of New Mexico

New Mexico, end of Day 6...pictures from Rob while driving

Steve Percival takes first leg in NM

Rob's view of police escort

John Melia  on I-40

John with FD on overpass

Facebook post from the white team A

Tour of Duty Run Across America   The white group A has finished there shift are are heading into Albuquerque, we were running in 7500 Feet altitude and are ready for a rest. Our van members are Rob Wills, Rachel Cowling, Brad Hosking, John Melia, Steve Percival and the gun Pat Maloney! Missing all of our familys.... Keep showing your support.

Email fr Rob!

He is driving the truck behind the runner with 3 New Mexico volunteer fire trucks and 2 New Mexico state troopers protecting them. Their shift has started...and it's raining.
More scenery pictures to come!

Leaving Gallop NM east towards Albuquerque New Mexico
Rob Wills to me
show details 5:36 PM (25 minutes ago)


On old route 66...Rainbow
Is that a good enough view, JoAnn and Cyndi?