Today was one of the most anticipated days of the Run — our visit with the students of Rainelle Elementary. But before we went to Rainelle, our first stop of the morning was at the Capitol in Charleston. We visited the Veterans Memorial and had a presentation. During the presentation, Governor Joe Manchin delivered a proclamation declaring today “Run For The Wall” day in West Virginia. Also, we had a flag line posted by the West Virginia Patriot Guard Riders in honor of the 29 fallen miners in the Upper Big Branch mining accident. Many of these miners were veterans. At the close of the ceremony, we had a moment of silence and then paid respects at the Miners Memorial followed by a group photo on the Capitol steps with the Governor.
Upon leaving Charleston, we traversed the mountains via US Route 60 past Hawk’s Nest State Park on down to the town of Rainelle. This was the 22nd straight year (every year of the Run) that we have stopped at Rainelle Elementary and visited with the school children and had lunch with them. We then had a presentation being led by the school choir in the National Anthem and the Pledge of Allegiance. Everyone enjoyed interacting with the children and signing their books and t-shirts. Tomorrow it’s on to Washington, D.C. and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall.
