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 Day 126
It Is Over! Freedom Run Ends Today
7/4/2008
Washington DC, DC
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War: It was a long day, fill you in later.
Hubie:It was actually hard to believe that this day would come. It has been 4 months of very intense challenge. This event was the biggest and toughest to bring together and put on and actually execute. Not only physically tough for the runners but for trying to keep everything together each and everyday hammered you mentally and emotionally to the max. The run had finally made it to DC and definetly very happy to be at this point, but then again not so happy due to the amount of money we did not raise. When you put everything on the line you do your best to succeed.
DC is never easy to get around and find a place to park let alone figure out where the heck you are going. We stayed at a Hotel outside of town in Herndon Virginia which was about 40 minutes outside of DC. Why there? Hotel rooms in DC on the 4th are at a premium, plus we had the opportunity to use the Metro line to get us around town. I enjoy the subway, it is great to people watch in DC because their are so many different cultures in the Capitol. People come from all over the world to experience DC. We found our parking spot early so that went well. The tough part was coordinating the Challenged athletes to connect because of the goofy parking and logistics, we made it happen. The run started at the end of the Arlington Memorial bridge and then the group worked their way to the Iwa Jima Statue. Henry Forest, one of Tom's friends who he did the ironman with him back in 78 was released from the hospital in Atlanta to come down and participate in the last few hundred yards of the run. (Henry is battling Leukemia) We all ran it in and the TV crew was all over it. Tom and Warren touched the statue for the final end of the run. It is really hard to explain the feeling of the finish due to my earlier comments but all I knew is that it was completed and that we accomplished an incredible mission of faith for charities that we believe in. It was very, very difficult at times but we persevered and got the job done. We still have a lot of work to do for our charities though, but like anything in life nothing comes easy and the challenge continues. So now that the run ended the 4th iof July just began! We had a picnic at Post 139 in Arlington and we had a great game of horseshoes and some great eats. Their were a number of veterens from ages up to 90 years old, it was an honor to talk and joke with these guys. The Post had a flag burning ceremony. The Post collects old flags that have seen their time and you get the opportunity to burn a flag for a loved one. So I burned one for my Dad, (Who was in the 14th AirForce WWII) and both of his brothers who were also in WWII. The party continued and we headed down to the Fireworks which are launced by the Reflecting Pond in front of the Lincoln Memorial. It rained heavily for a while but they still got them off. There were millions of people everywhere. It was quite an experience, one I will never forget, but don't ask me how I felt the next morning, it had to be done.... I would like to thank my wife Sue, son Cal and daughter Maddie for supporting me through this difficult and monumentemal task being on and off the road for weeks at a time. My Mom who has always been their for me. My brothers and sisters and all of my great friends that I have known my whole life who always expressed interest and support for our Challenge. The list goes on, Tony, Allison and Rebecca Weis (Warrens Sister) for taking care of us in Phoenix, and lastly all of the fantastic folks that we have met along our route including all of the Legion Posts, VFW's, the Marine Corp. league, the Hotels, Motels, campgrounds, and Bed & Breakfast's, just to namne a few. All of your support and assistance was a very vital part of our success. We would not have been able to accomplish our Feat without you.
Thank You and may God Bless all of you,
Hubie |
Jump
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The Works
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High Security
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Crossing the Bridge
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Post 139
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Relaxing at the Finish
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Baby comes to the Finish
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Washington
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| Previous Entry: Day 124 - Running to the Mall (Washington DC, DC) 7/2/2008 |
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