Daily Reports by the Ride Participants

Welcome to the 2026 NVAR Blog, your hub for daily contributions, personal insights, and the opportunity to add your photos relating to the 2026 Ride. This year brings new challenges, new opportunities, and plenty of stories worth telling — and we’re here to explore them with clarity, curiosity, and a bit of spark. Whether you’re a seasoned participant or just discovering the 13 Day Ride across America for the first time, we’re glad you’re here to learn, comment, and follow us to Washington D. C. for Memorial Day activities.

Thank You – Roger Granbois – Sitrep Admin

Daily Reports:

• Day 13 – May 24th – Washington, D.C.
  Lincoln, Korea, Vietnam Memorials, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier – Washington D.C. & Arlington Virginia Monday May 25th, Washington, D.C. (Epilogue) Thank a veteran today, Thank You – Sitrep Admin 0 0 votes Article Rating
• Day 12 – May 23rd – Washington, D.C.
  Lincoln, Korea, Vietnam Memorials, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier – Washington D.C. & Arlington Virginia Saturday May 23rd, Washington, D.C. (Day Twelve) D.C. Coordinator: Steve Moore, aka Headdog. Locations: In and around Washington D.C. and Accokeek, MD Agenda:    Memorials on the… Read more: Day 12 – May 23rd – Washington, D.C.
• Day 11 – May 22nd – Bridgeport, WV
  Martinsburg VAMC – Martinsburg, West Virginia Friday May 22nd, Bridgeport, WV (Day Eleven) WV State Coordinator: Eddie Shinn Locations: Starts in Bridgeport, WV, and on to Rocky Gap, MD, then back into Martinsburg, WV, before dropping down into the DC area and… Read more: Day 11 – May 22nd – Bridgeport, WV
• Day 10 – May 21st – Brookville, OH
  Louis Johnson VAMC – Clarksburg, West Virginia Thursday May 21st, Brookville, OH (Day Ten) Locations: Starts in Brookville, OH, then on to Chillicothe and Clarksburg, before ending the day in Bridgeport, WV Daily Participant Bio: Wayne Worden I lost my college deferment… Read more: Day 10 – May 21st – Brookville, OH
• Day 9 – May 20th – Michigan City, IN
  Indiana Veterans Home – West Lafayette, Indiana Wednesday May 20th, Michigan City, IN (Day Nine) IN State Coordinator: Dan Kuepker, aka Lugnut OH State Coordinator: Tony Cunningham, aka Squirt Locations: Starting in Michigan City, IN, riding through West Lafayette, and on to… Read more: Day 9 – May 20th – Michigan City, IN
• Day 8 – May 19th – Davenport, IA
  Veterans Memorial Park – Davenport, Iowa Tuesday May 19th, Davenport, IA (Day Eight) State Coordinators: Patrick Martindale, IA – Ken Richardson, IL Locations: Begins in Davenport, IA, on to Marseilles and Portage, before ending the day in Michigan City, IN Daily Participant… Read more: Day 8 – May 19th – Davenport, IA
• Day 7 – May 18th – Des Moines, IA
  Iowa City VA Medical Center – Iowa City, Iowa Monday May 18th, Des Moines, IA (Day Seven) State Coordinator: Patrick Martindale Locations: Begins in Des Moines, IA, rides through Marshalltown and Iowa City, and on to Davenport, IA Daily Participant Bio: Tim… Read more: Day 7 – May 18th – Des Moines, IA
• Day 6 – May 17th – Grand Island, NE
  Des Moines VA Medical Center – Des Moines, Iowa Sunday May 17th, Grand Island, NE (Day Six) State Coordinator: Bill Luft – NE & Patrick Martindale – IA Locations: Begins in Grand Island, NE, goes through Council Bluffs, and we stop in… Read more: Day 6 – May 17th – Grand Island, NE
• Day 5 – May 16th – Cheyenne, WY
  Central Nebraska Veterans Home – Kearney, Nebraska Saturday May 16th, Cheyenne, WY (Day Five) State Coordinator: Bill “Mongo” Luft NE Locations: Begins in Cheyenne, WY, rides through North Platt and Kearney, before ending in Grand Island, NE Daily Participant Bio: Don Jenkins… Read more: Day 5 – May 16th – Cheyenne, WY
• Day 4 – May 15th – Evanston, WY
  Cheyenne VA Medical Center – Cheyenne, Wyoming Friday May 15th, Evanston, WY (Day Four) State Coordinators: Kat & Mike Tipton Locations: Begins in Evanston, WY, through Rock Springs, and on to Cheyenne, WY Daily Participant Bio: Jim “Slingblade” Grant Jim served in… Read more: Day 4 – May 15th – Evanston, WY
• Day 3 – May 14th – Elko, NV
  Utah State Veterans Nursing Home – Salt Lake City, Utah Thursday May 14th, Elko, NV (Day Three) State Coordinator: Jason “Fat Guy” Stephenson            Thursday, May 14, 2025 Daily Participant Bio: Don Kuellmer Don enlisted in the US Navy in 1982. He served from… Read more: Day 3 – May 14th – Elko, NV
• Day 2 – May 13th – Auburn, CA
  Reno VA Medical Center – Reno, Nevada Wednesday May 13th, Auburn, CA (Day Two) Auburn CA: State Coordinator: Wayne Worden Daily Participant Bio: Robert Talbert Robert served in the US Navy on Submarines. He enlisted and served from 1974 to 1980 as… Read more: Day 2 – May 13th – Auburn, CA
• Day 1 – May 12th – Auburn, CA
  Mather Medical Center, Auburn, California Tuesday May 12th, Auburn, CA (Day One) Auburn CA: State Coordinator: Wayne Worden Tuesday, May 12, 2026 Locations: Begin in Auburn, CA, travel through Reno, spend the night in Elko, NV 0 0 votes Article Rating