Honoring the Past, One Mile at a Time
- Robert W. Hess
- Jun 15
- 2 min read
Updated: Jun 19
What a kickoff! We officially launched the Rally4Vets America 250 Tour this morning at the National Museum of the United States Army in Fort Belvoir, Virginia. As an Army veteran, I couldn’t think of a more meaningful place to begin this 2,767-mile tribute to 250 years of democracy and dedication and service by America’s military.
From there, we cruised down Route 29 through rolling Virginia hills. We stopped at the Albemarle Baking Company in Charlottesville for coffee and croissants. Highly recommended!
Next up: the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford. It’s hard to describe the feeling in words, but you feel it. You walk through the story of D-Day, from planning to landing, surrounded by powerful sculptures and a granite wall etched with the names of 4,415 Allied heroes who died on June 6, 1944. It’s moving. It’s humbling. It’s unforgettable.
This isn’t just a stop for history lovers—it’s a place to feel the cost of freedom. If you’re anywhere near Bedford, make the detour. Walk the hill. Remember the day.
From there, we cut through winding mountain roads and landed in Lynch, Kentucky, a historic coal town nestled in Appalachia. Tonight, we’re bivouacked in a converted 100-year-old schoolhouse called the Benham School House Inn. Yes. It’s as interesting as it sounds. (Photos coming tomorrow!)
Tomorrow we’re heading west—through the Cumberland Gap and into Music City, Nashville, before making tracks for Memphis.
Want to follow the journey, see the sights, and honor the mission?
Stick with us right here and follow along in real time at: https://maps.findmespot.com/s/0S86and on our Facebook and Instagram accounts.
See you tomorrow—coffee’s on at sunrise!
