Day 7

Well today started with us leaving Victoria, TX heading towards Killeen. That was a long ride at 65 mph in a fire truck. We are fortunate enough also that the truck has a/c. Its hot down here in TX. I think the temp reached 88 today. Bob was telling me that it was much cooler back in Memphis and that its even colder back in Connecticut. He is leaving the tour tomorrow after being away from home for the last 11 days. Its funny cause the saying goes if you dont know what day it is or the date or even if you can't remember what city you were in yesterday you know you are on tour. Well I have felt that way over the last few days. Someone asked me today where are we heading to tomorrow and I had to ask them what day is it today.
    Today was really awesome. We had 5 or 6 fire departments that were represented in our parade that stretched a good ways. They took us from a staging area through 3 towns into our event. They all had their lights on and it was an amazing sight to see. Today I was dressed in Pink turnouts taking pictures with people on the trailer with the Ribbon of Hope. I wasn't able to spend alot of time talking to those that have battled or are battling. But I did have the pleasure of meeting a married couple, Donald and his wife Dawn. They rode with us on Karen into the event. She was so excited that she was able to ride and wave at everyone. We passed a jail and she was even waving at them. Dawn was telling us how hard it was in her battle and that her husband kept coaching her along telling her that he loved her and she will make it through. Well come to find out Don is a survivor also. He battled and won with his cancer. But thats one of the points that I am trying to pass to all of you. Its about the love and support that we need to pass on to others. Its about loving our women and supporting them even if they are not sick. We as men need to step up and say I am here for you.
     Well I have 6 more days on the tour. Tomorrow we head to Ft. Hood in the morning then we go to Georgetown tomorrow afternoon. From there we start our journey up to Oklahoma. I hope that this blog has helped you in some way to understand what we as drivers see and do while out here on the road.