Auxiliary Escort AVVT Traveling Vietnam Wall
On July 25 th Sisters Connie Gonseth, Mary Reeser, Valerie Crouse, Janice Gregory and Bonnie Bartosek rode in the back of our Army Truck with Veterans Jennifer Lane and Paul Gorman while our Commander Russell Marsden Drove and, his wife and our sister Char Marsden and James Forkhamer co-piloted to the Phoenix VFW Post for the staging of The AVVT Traveling Vietnam Wall and to Escort it back to our Post. We have no way of knowing how many Motorcycles showed up to ride in the Escort but know that it was over two miles long solid bikes. Somewhere between 300 to 500 at best guess.
The Phoenix Post put out an amazing spread of Baked Ziti, Meat Trays, Rolls and various Salads for free. Thank You to the Phoenix Post for an excellent job of hosting this staging.
We left the Phoenix Post at 3pm and as we drove through Phoenix the Phoenix Fire department had the Hook and Ladder Trucks out with the American Flag for us to drive under and the Firemen in full dress saluting. AMAZING!!!!! Tears, Tears and more Tears.
We traveled Route 57 through Phoenix with several persons waving the American Flag and watching as we went by. A large group had gathered at the American Legion to show their respect as we passed. We were also greeted in the City of Fulton with the Firemen, Ladder Truck and American Flag Saluting. As we proceeded down 481 towards the City of Oswego we were greeted once again by two Fire Companies, Minetto and Volney in Full Uniform with their Latter Trucks and American Flags at full Attention. Holy TEARS!!!!!!
I don’t know what happened with the Oswego City BUT Veteran Dick Meeks and his wife and Auxiliary Sister greeted us as we passed by the Oswego VFW 2320.
Along 104 we were greeted by the Scriba Fire Department and the New Haven Fire Department with their Uniforms and Trucks and the American Flag. God Bless our Firemen!!!
When we arrived in Mexico the Mexico Firemen’s Pumper Truck joined us at the Mexico Middle School Bus Garage and led us through the Village along 104 to 41 to Hamilton Street and to our Post on State Route 3 (Scenic Avenue). It was a beautiful day filled with sunshine that God graced us with to pay Love Honor and Respect to the 58,261 names on The Wall!
Once back to our Post we had Open House to all and served free Hot Dogs, Draft Beer, Soda and Water to all those who were in the Escort.
We had about 50 members who helped in one way or the other in everything going on. 25 of them Sisters of the Auxiliary. 125 hours volunteered.
