Several months ago, the daughter of a fallen soldier sent a communication out on RFTW asking for someone to do an etching of her father, Major Charles Edward Purser from the Vietnam Memorial wall. The daughter was 12 years old when her father was killed from an engine failure in a chopper. Edward Humphries, Central Route, graciously accepted the task. Edward sent out a FB on the RFTW page asking if there was someone who could deliver the etching to the daughter, she lives in Knoxville. I honorably accepted the request. This year, May 2026, Edward is riding on the Central Route, I live in Cookeville, I will be riding the Midway route on the RFTW Mission. The plan thus far, I have asked the American Legion Knoxville if they would like to be involved presenting the etching and Bio’s of Major Purser to his daughter at the East Tennessee Veterans Memorial Knoxville on the 27th of May. The challenge at the Memorial Park is timing, there are school buses that drop off and pick up kids, there is a school next door to the Memorial. My plans are to depart DC on May 25th. The American Legion indicated they could be involved on the 27th however, they would like to do the presentation on Saturday the 30th, which allows for additional participation from their group. So, my question to the RFTW family of riders, is anyone interested in riding back to Knoxville with me, or simply meeting up with me on the 27th, or the 30th to join in the presentation to the daughter of Major Purser? If so, please respond on this post so I can get back in touch with y’all. Thank you, Ray Sachs Cookeville.
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I might be coming back to Crossville on the 24-25th and staying a day in Crossville before heading back to Texas. The Southern Route Merchandise truck driver lives in Crossville and I might have to change my truck engine oil before I go back to Texas. Terry Schmitz 817-538-3919