Back To Ground Zero
On Thursday, May 26, 2011:
Mike Anderson wrote in a text message from Brian: “Mission complete… at home with the family!!!!!”
Just spoke with Brian’s wife Amy and after a hot shower, Brian is enjoying some much needed Zzzzz.
Mike Anderson wrote in a text message from Brian: “Made it from amarillo, tx to barstow… amy thinks still in arizona but will be home in 5 hrs… god bless”
On Wednesday, May 25, 2011:
Gunny Cole wrote: UPDATE: Brian rested the night in Erick, OK. He is now in New Mexico. Fighting strong winds! Rolling west and closer to home.
On Tuesday, May 24, 2011:
Gunny Cole wrote: UPDATE FOR BRIAN STUTZMAN: Brian has made it thru the eye of the storm and is now in Clinton, Ok. He is pushing on as I write towards Amarillo, Tx. As a side note Gunny & Sissy in Paris, Ark are now in harms way. Multi Tornados on ground in their area. keep the in your thoughts as well.
Gunny Cole wrote: UPDATE: Brian is about 45 min east of OK City. Met storm Chasers..they advised him of how to avoid the prevailing Storms. He will try to get west & to Amarillo.
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VFW Welcomes Veteran Brian Stutzman
In support of POW’s and all veterans, Brian is riding his motorcycle from California to Ground Zero. He will stop in Siloam Springs the afternoon of May 24. Contact the VFW at 524-6785 for more information.’
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Gunny Merrill Crawford wrote on May 24 at 12:34pm: Brian is on his way to Shiloam Spring,, just got back from riding with him to the interstate, what a great morning spending more time with him making sure he had what he needed, a good nights rest, food, gas and prayers.
Sissy Chandler, Brian Stutzman and Gunny Merrill Crawford in Paris, Arkansas
Merrill Crawford wrote on May 23 at 11:01pm: Brian is safe and dry, full stomach and smiling. We have been visiting and talking and his spirits are very good. Bad storm rolled thru here and knocked all the power out but slowly slacking off and the lights are back on, will let you know more tomorrow after coffee.
On Monday, May 23, Gunny Cole wrote: UPDATE: BRIAN J STUTZMAN Wow what a day. Brian pushed into Paris, Ar from Knoxville, Tn today. Earlier he fought big bugs and wind. As he described it his “tires are now getting worn on the opposite side” as he leans left now! Later in the day he dodged bad weather & Tornado warnings. He is now in Paris, Ark for the night. He will roll north up to Siloam Springs, Ark in AM.
On Monday, May 23, Gunny Cole wrote: UPDATE** Siloam Springs, Ark on Tuesday AM…Brian will have an interesting day on Tues. Storm predictions put him in the direct footprint of dangerous unpredictable
weather cells. Ok, Ark & MO could get hit hard tomorrow. Keep him and all of that area in your thoughts & prayers! They will need them. Joplin is just north of his intended location Tuesday. God be with all of them there!**
On Monday, May 23, Mike Anderson wrote: Outside of knoxville tn about 30 min… westbound on 40.
Brian Stutzman near Knoxville.
On Sunday, May 22, Gunny Cole wrote: Brian j Stutzman UPDATE: Brian is rolling through North Carolina and into the Great Smokey Mountains. Weather has warmed up and he is enjoying the ride. Set to head down to Meridian, Mississippi Wednesday. Donate if you can on his PayPal/Blog to help fund his trip or to one of his charities. Thanks!!
UPDATE: Brian is in the Mountains of North Carolina currently and is headed towards Knoxville, Tn where he will camp for the night. He is dealing with some Thunderstorms which are very common in this area in spring. A shout out to Volunteer Park Camp Ground near Knoxville and their staff! Thanks to all of you as well from Brian!
Brian is headed towards Ark in the AM. The floods down in Mississippi have helped to rearrange the scheduled tour. Pass the word. On a side note keep all those in Joplin, Mo in your thoughts and Prayers tonight.
UPDATE: Anyone that can donate I challenge you to match my $20 or even $5 if you can. I must say that so far the donations have been sparse and low. I’m not sure if maybe many Americans have just forgotten or are numb to the fact that we… are in a War and many Veterans have sacrificed. They now need our help for recovery. They have paid a huge price I think so, I will for sure dig a little deeper where I can to help them. Come on gang lets get behind this man and his mission. Thanks.
Donate to Brian’s Ride
On Saturday, May 21, Gunny Cole wrote: UPDATE: BRIAN has had one long road but, what an amazing journey! He arrived today in DC & toured monuments which included the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Lincoln & the Arlington National Cemetary, where some of our Nations Heros lie in rest. He visited the Walter Reed Medical Center, stories only he should tel…l! His voice trembled as he spoke to me of his journey thus far!Keep him in your thoughts!
Brian reports that his hands hurt, they have blisters frm the clutch as does one of his feet frm the shifter. The bugs & weather have kicked him in the ass but, he is starting to get better weather as he rolls into the South. Camped in So Va just North of NC line. Will head west towards the Smokey Mountains Sunday. Pass the word.
As a side note..If you have ever driven cross country, and I highly reccomend it BTW, you know it is a long road! I have done it many times. However in a vehicle, not on a Motorcycle! It sucks at times but I was dry, warm, no wind, cruise control, could fall asleep (briefly) and still be good! On a Motor….would suck like a Hoover!! Brian reports he put a sock on his hand under his glove to help the blisters!!
Can anyone out there make this mission go Vile!! This Man needs some support and his charities could use a little help to! Thanks to all of you for following Brians mission and passing the word. He is doing a great service and helping many. Help him out if you can or know others that can. I personally thank you!!
On Friday, May 20, Gunny Cole wrote: “Brian is on the roll from Jonestown, Pa headed east towards Jersey and Ground Zero. State Police and Port Authority are standing by. FYI Port Authority lost alomost 40 Officers on 9/11! They have been awesome, hope all works out with escort.”
“Brian j Stutzman… is headed into the city and Ground Zero as we speak under police escort!! One hell of a road but he has made it! A great day! And he shared that actually today is his birthday!! Wanted to keep it quite but I think he deserves a pat on the back!! He has done a great service for all Veterans and those we have lost!!”
Mike Anderson wrote:
20 May 2011 1219 hrs PDT:
Just hung up the phone with Brian… He just now left Ground Zero and was still scraping the sacred dirt from his boots – and saving it. The whole experience is still surreal to him and hasn’t quite soaked in yet, I can tell by his voice. He had a Port Authority escort into… and onto the actual site, where folks are not allowed. His is behind schedule by only a few hours, now enroute to Arlington. I gave him some of my close contacts in D.C. to link up with once there… He’ll be in good hands. His spirits are very high, I wished him a Happy Birthday, and he wished me one back. I told him to keep the rubber side down as his mission is not complete, and let him know that the hand of God is on his shoulder. Be Safe, Out Here… Mike Sr.
Brian Stutzman at Ground Zero.
On Thursday, May 19, Gunny Cole wrote: “**UPDATE On Brian** Well folks he reports he is tired and wore out! He is now in Jonestown, PA at a camp ground. He left early AM from Crossville, Tn and pushed hard. Here are some qoutes he sent me. “Raining in Middletown, Va” later “In West Virginia..my eye still red from collision with bug in Arizona, Tent blew on top of me in Amarillo,TX….I saw Santa driving in Tenn…and oh yea..my ass hurts :)!!” Later “Made up for my 4 hr delay..so tired I get confussed which way the throttle turns.”
“Brian is now bedded down and will rise up at and be ready to roll at 0700. He sends his thanks to all of you and is just blessed and thanks God above for all your support!!”
“UPDATE…Now working with key players in New Jersey and New York to get him into the city in style! Update later. Tomorrow is a huge days folks for Brian and his life will change again when he arrives at Ground Zero. He carries many with… him as he travels so pass the word and keep him in your thoughts. Remember 9/11 and remember all those Warriors, Civilians, Police and Fire who were lost on that day in September. Remember all those Warriors in our Military who have fought the good fight and those still fighting today. Rest in peace Warriors helping him along his way!”
On Wednesday, May 18, Gunny Cole wrote: “Brian punched out of Nashville, Tn and is headed east towards Knoxville. The Big 98, WSIX Country Big D & Bubba in Nashville gave him a shout out, AWESOME!! Send ’em a thank you! Keep him in your thoughts and get more friends and Family to follow his great journey! Thanks.”
“Brian has set up camp in Crossville, Tn for the night. All is well.”
http://aWarriorRidingForWarriors.blogspot.com
On Wednesday, May 18, Sissy Chandler wrote: “David he is doing great! Got a bug in the eye and it is red, but he is hanging in there. We fed him dinner, visited with the family, shared stories and left one very large impression on two young men and the rest of the family too! We are soooo blessed to have him stop and stay the night. This AM we had breakfast waiting for him and then escorted him back to the freeway. He did get to speak to the local reporter last night and the reporter is going to put the story out to Arkansas Media. I have a cousin in VA that is a retired Air Force Chaplin where Brian can stay the night. I would say all is well and he appears to be very happy. We laughed, we cried and now we miss him! Thank you for all you do and all you have done. Sincerely ~ Sissy”
On Monday, May 16, Gunny Cole wrote: “Brian just checked in..In Albuquerque, New Mexico He says I “just shoved MRE down..headed to Amarillo, TX. Beat up by today and yesterdays wind and rain..God Bless.” He will update me later and I will post more here and on my Twitter.”
“Brian has updated me at about 21:15 PCT “Outside Amarillo, Tx..finished Enchillada MRE, fought 20 MPH cross winds all day. Pray the wind doesn’t knock over the bike tonight. Up in 5 hours for Little Rock, Ark. But hell, no one shot at me today!! Miss the family but on a mission. God bless! In paradise, the land of the free and home of the brave. Send prayers, thanks to everyone!””
On Sunday, May 15, Mike, Sr. wrote: A message from Brian headed to Ground Zero… “Made it safe to flagstaff… the wind and rain beat my ass!!”
On Saturday, May 14, Gunny Cole wrote: “He spent the night in Bakersfield w/a friend of mine. (in his yard) Met w/local VFW there this am, they donated to his cause. He is headed to Flagstaff now. Outstanding!!”
The Modesto Bee article on Brian’s ride.
View or print the PDF Flyer. Mission Plan in Word format.
When: Starting May 14th (immediately following the ‘7th Annual Cpl. Michael D. Anderson Jr. Memorial Ride‘ from Jamestown, CA) – Ending May 20th… then 3 days back to California
Where: From Jamestown, CA (traveling on I-40) to Ground Zero and then to Arlington National Cemetery, VA
What: I am planning on making a solo motorcycle ride from west coast to east coast. This ride is to raise awareness and funds for wounded warriors. I will have River’s of Recovery and Wounded Warriors Project as my organizations to donate to. I do need to raise an amount of money to pay for my gas to the east coast and back home to my family. I am not planning on sleeping in hotels or motels. I am planning on sleeping in my military sleeping bag in a tent… just as we have done before, and in honor of the heroes not returning home. The total trip is 6,100+ miles round trip and will such need approximately 152 gallons of fuel. That is my only cost.
Why: I am a disabled combat veteran that served in Iraq from 2003-2004. This is my way of raising awareness of the sacrifice that so many men and women have given their country. This ride is in memory of all the fallen heroes, their families and the wounded warriors that now struggle through mental and physical pain.
Organizations that will be donated to:
Rivers of Recovery
Wounded Warrior Project
My Cost: Approx. $800 (for 6100 miles)
***all extra donations that I do not use will be split between above said organizations****
Side note: This ride is a meant to be in memory of our fallen heroes and wounded warriors… (Individuals that stand up for our freedoms and our way of life in the United States of America)
In God We Trust
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