May 2, 2008
 He Said
Up early today to get ready for the final push into March Air Force Base, actually, it was so early I didn't even mess the bed up. I was up all night counting signatures on the shadow box and printing the script for the presentation. Of course, sleep doesn't usually come when your mind is racing at 5,000 miles per hour about the ‘what ifs' but we were on the road at about 8:00 am. Jeni showed up the night before with her riding buddies, Harriett and JJ and we were glad to see them for even this small part of the trip. It was a quick trip to the Air Base and our families.  We saw
some of them waiting at the Main Gate but turned the other way on the street to regroup as we were a little too early to enter. After a couple of phone calls we were escorted into the base to our waiting families at 10:30 am! How great it was to see them all again after being gone three weeks on our trip!
We talked for a minute and then Master Sergeant Welz escorted everyone to the Media Tent where we would be making the presentation of our shadow box to Colonel Robertson, the Staff Commander. How cool is this - we got center seats and first row to watch the pilots practice for the air show while waiting! 
At 12:00 pm we congregated next to one of the Thunderbird fighters outside the Media Tent and presented the token to Col. Robertson of which he gratefully accepts, it was very much appreciated by him and we are so grateful that we were able to present this to them. Our presentation script is added below these entries for you to read. 
We actually had the script framed and presented to Col. Robertson in addition to the shadow box.
The rest of the day was spent with family and friends talking and watching our magnificent air force go through their routines. We have some amazing machines and some amazing pilots operating them.  We'll be back next year for sure!
So we've come to the end but I'm not going to go through a long list of thank yous because I think you all know how very much we appreciate all your support, from our sponsors, to our friends and of course, our families. We love you all so very much and could not have done this without your help.
I do want to say that this trip was very special in a lot of ways. Meeting the people, getting to know the team members better and spending time with them, I want to thank their families for sending them along with us. I learned too that there are a lot of things out there that we might be searching for and never seem to find, but that's precisely why we don't find them. Let life take its course and if we do our best then good things will come out of it.
And Ne', remember, there'll always be pennies from Heaven - shiny ones at that...
God Bless you all,
Kevin Monroe
Lakewood, CA May 2008
She Said
May 2nd - Leaving Palm Springs and head to March Air Force Base in Riverside, CA.
Jeni and her friend JJ have joined us to finish the ride. We load up about 8:00 a.m. and head to March AFB. We arrive at our final destination at 10:30 a.m. and are greeted by everyone's family. They are all so friendly and welcoming. The guys have missed their families deeply and they are so glad to be back home. We present the American Flag in the shadow box to Col. Robertson while Kevin gives a speech. Col. Robertson was deeply touched and words could not express his gratitude. It was what the trip was all about - well promoting organ donation of course but bringing this flag with over 400 signatures to all the men and women serving in the armed forcers. Our way of saying Thank You. We take more pictures, hang out with the family and get to know each other a little better. Well it's almost time to load up and head home. Everyone gives hugs and promise to stay in touch.
Kevin brings me to the hotel and I crash at about 5:30 pm. I'm pooped!
What's my take on the entire trip? I can't sum it up in one sentence or even two so here goes.
This trip has been one I will treasure for a lifetime. I have never felt more loved by such a wonderful group of guys. I realize, truly realize that they will do anything for their friends and family. They are a close knit group and they have at times have made me feel like one of the guys but at the same time, like a little sister. I could not have asked for a better group of guys to take this journey with. Their wivcs and children are truly blessed to call these guys husbands and fathers. They are compassionate, loving, caring, comical, inspiring, and have inner faith and strength I can only imagine having. This trip was all about the same purpose.. To promote organ and tissue donation. In the end, we became a family and friendships I will treasure forever. If you have passion for something, put 100% in to it. Without passion for something or someone in your life, your life isn't complete. If you love, love with all your heart. That family, above all is the most important thing in our lives. Love and live every day as if it were your last. If you don't take chances, you will never know what you are truly capable of doing.
I want to say thank you to each one of these guys and their families for allowing me to be a part of such an amazing journey and for such a wonderful mission/cause. And to me, the true heroes are the families we left behind to take this journey. I have learned more from these guys on this trip and about myself in one week that I ever thought possible.
So with this said "what was the best and worst part of the trip"
The best part: A week with a great group of guys, riding ATV's, and promoting organ donation.
The worst part: It's over.
I love you guys,
She said
Ps. Anyone know what the final count was? See you soon!
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