For those of us that remember back when we served in our favorite Branch under Uncle Sam’s Guidance. All but to familiar sound of a bugle call at 0530, Reveille! Yes, the rude and annoying sound, that take one’s dreams away and start to face the day!

        So, time starts to finish policing around your camp site, stow last of your gear in your HMV and catch a wonderful sunrise. Get thy but in gear or face the wrath of the March Leader or your own Unit March Leader. Than still green to this outfit, do not want to be known as ‘that guy’. Had the rig and trailer ready to go. Awaiting further instructions to pull into my correct position in our March Unit’s Order 3/7 (tucked in between a Tan M1031 and Camo M1009 towing and M101).

       At 0615 March Unit Leaders are in place than, everyone falls in to they’re assign spot. At 0630 this operation should be completed or well under way to being completed. Than 0645 hits, the National Anthem is sounded (stand tall and salute the Colors).

       Than it happens, 0700 First Gear. It has started the Road March has started. Advance party is already out there heading for our first two morning breaks. And now the Convoy Commander with the HQ March Unit is on the road. Being follow out by each of the other March Units (as a whole group with each HMV mainting a 4 interval between vehicles). We are moving as a Unit.

       We have a Police Escort out of DuPage County by the Sheriffs Depts. SWAT Tactical Vehicle, looks like a small MRAP. But has the bells and whistles, to change lights in or rout to Green. Made moving out of the county very easy.

       Along the way we had kids, parents and adults out there to wish us well on our Journeys. We had Police Escort or Traffic Control through most of the small towns. And people would just come out, look and wave. Those that knew we were coming, they had the Old Glory waving. As we pasted through downtown Joliet, someone asked where we were heading, I simply stated Santa Monica!

       Our first night’s stop is in Pontiac, Illinois. The Mayor of Pontiac came up to meet us at the last morning break stop. Then rode down with March Leader to Pontiac. After we pulled in, parked around the town Square (yes those still exist) around the Courthouse. He came around welcome each of us. Then at the Driver’s Meeting, he welcomed us all collectively.