Day 4 – May 16th – Evanston, WY

Cheyenne VA Medical Center – Cheyenne, Wyoming

Friday May 16th, Evanston, WY (Day Four)

State Coordinators: Kat & Mike Tipton

Locations:

Begins in Evanston, WY, through Rock Springs, and on to Cheyenne, WY

Weather:

Cold again, 38 degrees as we left this morning. Windy all day. No rain, for which we are grateful. And again, we learned that it rained the day before we arrived. Still one day behind the line of storms; let’s hope and pray it stays that way.

Agenda:

Archie Hay American Legion Post 24, Rock Springs, NV

We had two hour ride to breakfast. I’d like to share with you my musings on that journey. First, the wind whipped around, with gusts that kept the riders on their toes, and even in a car it was felt. As we encountered the large farms of windmills, I wondered if electricity wasn’t the state’s largest natural resource, maybe even it’s largest export, after beef.
Second, and by far the more significant, I considered how much I appreciated Jayson Stephenson, Utah State Coordinator. Jayson amassed a crew (40-50 riders and drivers) to join with the NVAR from California and serve our veterans. The majority of them may never go “all the way,” but they ride for vets, they collect raffle prizes all year to benefit vets, and they make the vets a priority during the busy holiday season with gifts from the raffle money. This is, after all, the NVAR mission. The ‘parade’ of ~130 bikes that led us into the SLC Vets Home was quite the spectacle (and it was fun), but it too brought attention to NVAR and what we’re about. Thank you, Jayson.
We picked up an escort about twenty miles out from Rock Springs; they took us all the way in and more joined at the end of the off ramp. While getting gas we were able to get a group picture (including escorts: policy, Sheriffs, and fire department). But the most special moment was when we learned that one of the firefighters was a veteran. A Freedom Medal ceremony followed. There was more than one person with ‘wet eyes’ (not from the wind).
The NVAR welcome didn’t end there because as we approached the Archie Hay American Legion Post 24, a color guard stood at attention on the street they had cleared for us to park.
Inside it was like ‘old home week’ seeing friends and renewing acquaintances. Breakfast was wonderful and awards were handed out to a variety of organizations that supported NVAR—not just the fresh eggs for our breakfast, but some donated the snacks Mike & Kat carry in the chase truck, cases of water we have in the chase truck cooler, even the crane and the flag at the gas stop were donated to make our visit over-the-top special.
And finally, we had a real treat this year. The Fire Chief, who has lived in Rock Springs since he was four-years-old (except for military service), gave us an interesting story of the town’s history. I was most impressed by the fact that Rock Springs has 56 nationalities in town. The have a celebration of their cross-cultural foundations once a year. I would sure like to be there to try all the authentic traditional foods. Who knew Rock Springs, WY, would be the most cosmopolitan city west of the Mississippi!
Our escorts took us back to Highway 80, ensuring we were aware and prepared for the wind and the construction we would encounter.

Cheyenne VA Medical Center, Cheyenne, WY

Where do I begin? I enjoy architecture, so I could go on about the beautiful buildings, built in 1932, and the lovely, modern facilities…but there are just too many amazing stories to share that have taken place this afternoon.
At the VFW Post a group of riders happen to visit Thomas Belt. It turns out he was a Bronze Star recipient for saving pilots. He served in the Army in both Korea and Vietnam. He not only told a story about the time he discovered Elvis Presley in the mess hall, but also about how he located a back room from Elvis to teach him how to sing Blue Suede Shoes. Elvis even commented that Tom sang better than he did. But the end of the story is, Tom then sang Blue Suede Shoes for our riders. Later at dinner we learned Mr. Belt is in the hospice wing and may not live until our visit next year. How fortunate we were able to see him. I hope our riders gave him as much joy and we received from him.
One visit was to a woman named Judy. We learned she was the armed services first Combat Sargent Major. One of the most impressive details they discovered was that of the 87 men under she command, she keeps in touch with most of them to this day. Now that is the perfect image of commanding respect rather than demanding respect. She should be very proud. Jerry presented her with a Freedom Medal. She was so excited that she called her son right then and there. Jerry was even able to speak to her son and explain what NVAR’s mission is.
Wayne handed out two quilts again. This year’s recipients were Vern Hoffer, served in Vietnam on a Naval Destroyer, and Mike “Wolf” Wilkinson, Army Light Infantry Brigade in Vietnam in ’69-’70. Mike recently published a book on his experiences in Vietnam, called A Journey Through the Valley of the Shadow of Death. He gave Wayne an autographed copy and Wayne has already begun reading it. Since Vietnam and having a traumatic brain injury, Wolf has gone on to carry the Olympic torch for the 2002 games in Salt Lake City and he’s an integral part of Civil Air Partrol, Wyoming Wing as a Lt. Colonel. His desire is to impart his experiences so others might change their views of those who serve.

VFW Post 1881, Cheyenne, WY

Milk Can Bake was again the dinner that greeted us at the VFW post. Some riders wait all year for this authentic meal, cooked especially for NVAR. It was delicious and plentiful. More than one person went back for a full plate of seconds. A wide variety of stories circulated at dinner.
Slingblade shared that at a gas stop on his way to rejoin the group, he had a conversation with a woman who told him about her brother, Ted Shinault. He was in the Army and later FBI. Although he passed in 2005, his name appears on the Wall of Fallen Heros in Washington D.C. Slingblade was able to present her with the NVAR 2025 ride pin. She tearfully received it. It never ceases to amaze me how a little bit of listening and recognition can stir the heart and rekindle a sweet remembrance.
Sue, a six-time rider that has joined us in WY for the visit to the vets at the Cheyenne VAMC, shared how much she appreciates NVAR and how much she enjoyed this year’s visit. She also informed us that in two years, after she retires, she hopes to go “all the way” and experience all the visits with veterans. Jerry thanked her for all she does to coordinate the visits every year, concluding that this year was the best visit ever!
And, after returning to the hotel, I was sent another photo and informed that in front of the hotel this evening a Freedom Medal was awarded to Col. Naomi Donavan, who has served in Kandahar, Afganastan.
And, finally, there’s a picture below from the Cheyenne VAMC of a man in light blue sitting on a couch. I didn’t get his name, but he’s 107 years old and is still active, only using a walker. He served in the Navy and went on to be a bull wrangler and competed on horseback in rodeos across the country. So, I’ll leave you with this wisdom for the day…if you want to live to be 107, take up bull wrangler.

Thank a veteran today,

Thank You – Libby Worden – Sitrep Admin