The 2024 Be The One Rally Across the US for Veteran Suicide Prevention
Days 6 & 7: Burns, OR to Arco, ID, to Cody, Wyoming
Day 6 started with a heartwarming pit stop at American Legion Post 63. I was greeted by Post Commander Robert Hornbeck and past National Commander Charles Schmidt, who gave me the grand tour. The Post 63 team is working tirelessly to uplift their community. Kudos, Post 63!
With the tour wrapped up, it was time to hit the road. Following the scenic US Route 20, I couldn’t resist playing spot-the-sign with Dick Tobiason’s Medal of Honor markers. I managed to snap pics of two, including one with the Rally4Vets C6 Corvette cozied up to an M1A1 Abrams tank. Talk about a photo op! [We still used the M60A1 during my field duty in Germany and Vietnam].
Eastern Oregon and Idaho along US 20 aren’t just about sweeping landscapes—they’re agricultural hotspots too! Who knew? Farms dotted the route, adding a touch of the unexpected to the journey.
As the sun dipped, I cruised into the alien beauty of Craters of the Moon National Monument. If you’ve never been, add it to your bucket list! This place is a camper’s paradise, perfect for an RV getaway under the stars.
Pro tip: Always double-check your tech. I forgot to ping the Spot tracker, so Day 6’s epic journey wasn’t added to our digital record. Oh well, lesson learned!
I launched early on Day 7, heading to a rest day in Cody, Wyoming, after a drive through Yellowstone Park. This was my first time driving completely through the park, from the West to East entrances, with a stop for a photo op at Old Faithful. Spoiler alert: I didn’t have time to wait for Old Faithful to do its thing. But there was a throng of people who did.
There’s no need to recount how very special and lovely the scenery was. If you’ve never been, it is a bucket list experience.
Along with the great scenery, I witnessed my first live forest fire since I served as a firefighter in college. Fire teams were trying to control the fire, but it was moving up a steep slope, fanned by winds.
The “Vet in a ‘Vette for Vets” arrived in Cody, Wyoming, covering 2,176 miles since we departed American Legion Post 291 in Newport Harbor, California, on August 2nd.
As of COB 8 August, I’m one-third through the rally, and I am so encouraged by the Legionnaires I’ve met along the way: their commitment to their communities and to the Legion’s Be The One suicide prevention campaign. I can’t wait to experience the rest of the people Rally4Vets will meet between Cody and Washington, DC.
Remember, each of us can Be The One to save a veteran’s life:
If you encounter a veteran [or anyone in emotional distress] take these simple steps:
- Ask: ask the person directly whether he or she is thinking of committing suicide
- Care: listen calmly and closely and give the person a chance to talk out what’s weighing on them.
- Escort: don’t leave the person alone. Stay with them and escort them to health care or other trained professionals, including chaplains, or, to their unit leadership, who can take the next steps in getting them help. Or call the National Suicide Hotline at 988, Press 1.
Follow the 2024 Be The One Rally Live:
- You can follow us live on the Internet at the following link – https://maps.findmespot.com/s/QRHY#live/assets
- See the full route on our website at – https://www.rally4vets.com/rally4vetsbetheonedrive
If you are a veteran, thank you for your service!
If you are a family member, thank you for all you do for the veteran community.
Robert is an Army combat veteran with service in Vietnam, Europe, the Pentagon, and the Department of State. He is an advocate for disabled veteran awareness and suicide prevention.
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