Relay for a Cause Route 66
May 9-15 2010 is National Police Week. To honor the nearly 19,000 officers across the United States that have given the ultimate sacrifice for our safety, Officer Randy Rolley a twenty-seven year member of the Evansville Police Department, Bryan Zeller of Zeller’s Master Tire and Ron Boren of Hillard Lyons have started a cause called “Relay for a Cause Route 66”. On May 1st 2010, Randy, Bryan and Ron will leave Evansville IN. enroute to Santa Monica CA. via Route 66; they will be walking approximately 5 to 7 hours a day and will be assisted by twenty-five other police agencies across seven states to make up a total distance of 2250 miles. Randy, Bryan and Ron firmly believe that this is a positive way to bring attention and honor to those officers who have been killed in the line of duty, it is a way to remind our citizens and local governments that their safety and their security often comes with a price, and their subsequent hope is that in working toward a common goal, other agencies and individuals will feel compelled to donate to the cause with proceeds going to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund.
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71 Comments
Will keep you in our prayers.
We are three days from starting the relay. We are being assisted by our local agencies,The Evansville Police Dept, Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Dept,Indiana State Police Dept, and the Illinois State Police Dept. We will walk into Mt. Vernon, Illinois on May 1st at appoximately 2:00pm to meet with our hosting agency, the Mt. Vernon Police Dept.
Good Luck and be SAFE.
Will be tracking your progress.
Bryan let me know if your back gets tired from carrying Ron.
Tim and I will be thinking about you on your trip….Can’t wait to hear the story’s and see the pictures…..
Randy, I posted your links on my Facebook account and will getting the word out a few other way and talking with you by phone in the next few days.
Brent
Thanks Brent, See you in Amarillo, looking forward to the Memorial
Bryan and I made it through the first day, walking 15.8 miles without getting rained on. We met with the Mt. Vernon PD and they treated us with hats. shirts, and supper at Ryans Restaurant. Tomorrow we will be heading to New Baden IL. We are sorry that we cannot remember how to download pics at this time and we will contact the Geek Squad tomorrow and get it figured out. Thanks to everyone who was at the Evansville PD to see us off this morning, Thanks to Kyle Frank and Evansville Print Specialist for the calling cards that we are passing out to the people we meet.
Good Luck Randy! I am so proud of you! Will keep you and Bryan in my prayers while you are on your journey. Be careful and God Bless!
Thanks Linda, everything is fine, great weather and no blisters.
great job guys!
Thanks Bobbi for following our trip, it has been fantastic so far and I don’t see it changing.
Make sure you buy some lottery tickets in New Baden and make sure you walk the entire 20 miles this time you losers!
Steve, we have bought tickets everywhere we stopped so far, we figured if were living the dream now, how sweet it would be winning the lottery.
I wish I had known about this before you took off, Randy. There is so much beautiful country out West and some of the scenery will take your breath away. God bless you for your mission. Mary and I will pray for you every morning at Communion.
Mike
Mike and Mary, Thanks so much for the prayers. We have had a fantastic time so far, the people we have met have just completely gone out of their way to make this trip memorable. The last two days were brutal walking, we walked forty-two miles up hill in the bluffs of MO. We are now in Lebanon, the weather is perfect and we’re catching fish……what more could a guy want.
Give them hell guys!!!
Wish you were with us Fisch, living the dream
ARE YA ALL GOING TO TACKLE THE 72″”FREE STEAK” IN AMARILLO
Bryan thinks he can do it, we are taking bets with odds at 3 to 1 that he can’t if you are interested……I will keep you posted
thank you to the RPD officers joining!!!!
Day 2 Randy and Bryan finally made iit nto New Baden IL. after being lost for awhile and walking four extra miles in the middle of nowhere and logging 22 miles of walking. We were greeted by Police Chief Mike Riley at the police dept. and about about thirty-five other well wishers from the community. Chief Riley had a portable Marquis set up in front of the police station, welcoming us and the relay for a cause 66. there was ribbons, tables, snacks, and drinks available for everyone. We had three interviews and pictures with local media. We met Mark and Denise Schilli , Denise lost her brother Jeremy Chambers who was killed in the line of duty by a drunk driver while on a police run in 2006. The Schilli’s invited us to dinner for the evening at their house and also invited about six other officers from different agencies and their families, we had fried chicken, salad, green bean casserole, cheese cake….it was an awesome day, they gave us t-shirts with Jeremy’s picture on it and we are wearing them for our walk tomorrow into St. Clair MO.
I put in the prayer request. The church has 50,000 plus members so I hope it spreads! Call me when you guys get to Vegas. Take care little buddy!
Day 3 was brutal, we walked 18 miles in the bluffs of Missouri, all up hill. We kept thinking surely we was going to be going down hill sooner or later, however we were wrong, St. Clair MO. was on top of the last hill we climbed. We met with Lt. Wirt who escorted us to our hotel and had a great time talking about hunting. Along the trip we met a lady that let us fish her pond, she was seventy-seven years old and ran a 400 acre farm, raised cattle and had a stronger hand shake than Bryan, she even went back to college at the age of seventy, she was carrying concrete pavers from behind the house, lining her garden, however we were afraid to ask her if she needed help in fear that she would be insulted and beat us up.
Day 4 was worse than brutal, we walked another 18 miles today, again all up hill, however the hills were steeper. I thought OMG, I was going to heaven and to prove I was worthy I had to walk there. We finally made it to Rolla Mo. and Sgt. Rick Williams was a great host, he drove us to see several historical sites of route 66 and bought us dinner at Zeno’s Steak House. We were interviewed by the local newspaper and also by Scott Grahl, communications coordiator for the city of Rolla.
Day 5 was a wonderful day of walking, we were dropped off by Sgt. Williams Of Rolla MO. on the “Mother Road” enroute to Lebanon MO. We met a very interesting man by the name Barry McKensie, he is well known around the world as a master Chip Carver. I can’t even begin to tell you how talented this man was so i’m listing his website http://www.chipcarvingschool.com. We met Barry when we stopped to ask if we could fish his lake and just like everyone we have met so far he didn’t hesitate before telling us it would be okay. Bryan outfished me today, and of course didn’t mind telling everyone he talked to, unlike myself who beat him the day before. We Later stopped at a house when we saw owners outside with a new born Colt that had just been born that morning, the colt was real unsteady, that was cool. We were told by the couple that a gravel pit with a lake was up the side road about two miles that eight pound bass in it, our eyes lit up and it was worth the extra four mile walk to fish, however as we started down the road the lady picked us up and drove us to the pit and gave us her number to call for a return trip. Bryan caught a 4 and two 3 pound bass, I guess that’s worth bragging about. We arrived in Lebanon and met with Chief Brauer and Major Holstead, they were fantastic people and even donated $100 out of their slush fund towards the cause, challenging all other departments along our route to do the same or beat it.
This sounds so awesome. I hope some of the kids I teach hear more about you guys…..this is a way (example of a way)for people to learn to give back through what they are passionate about and enjoy
Randy-doing some more “base touching” today and getting the word out in Amarillo soon. We do have some steaks in mind for you guys that night, and are blessed with the timing (fingers crossed) that you guys will be here at the memorial service. Did I mention the guys are talking FOUR different color guards….? Chat later….
Brent, You have been working very hard on this and Bryan, Ron and I appreciate what you are doing. We will be there on time for the memorial even if we have to run….we wouldn’t miss it for anything…..even fishing
I think that Bryan could eat the steak.. I will take some action with you Rude. Keep having fun and keep fishing…
Thanks Ty
Sounds like you two are having a lot of fun! Keep up the great work and I hope the weather stays nice for you. Mom and us really miss you and Kolten keeps talking about you…he keeps saying “play toys with me like papa does!” Can’t wait to hear more stories! We love you!!
Thanks girls, I miss you guys to. Tell Koten I found a hotwheels car on the shoulder of the road enroute to Mt. Venon IL on day 1 and have been carrying it in my pocket everyday for him when I get home. Tell him I will be home soon….
Randy,
Sounds like you and Bryan’s journey is well worth your personal efforts in achieving such a wonderful goal. I know you will cherish everyone you meet, just thankful for sharing your experience with us. Should have known you two would find a fishing hole. Stay safe and have lots more fun!! Do miss seeing ya at the office, Beck
Thanks Becky for following trip and the donation. Tell LT. I need another month off to walk back home.
Laurie just set up my conmputor so i can read about your days so far sounds like you are meeting seeing a lot of nice people. I don’t know why i was so worried about you going i guess that’s just a mother for you. but i still want you to call me every night ha! ha! all the trips dad & i have taken across the country you are seeing so much more both of you take care of each other i say a prayer for both of you every night to stay safe love mom
Mom, We are better protected than the president at this time, I hope you still aren’t losing any sleep over this and we really appreciate the prayers. Miss you, love you.
It sounds like you guys are having a wonderful time. I am so glad the trip is going well and you are getting plenty of fishing time in. The Schilli-Chambers family wish you all the best. Good Luck and Safe travels.
Denise and Mark, We are having a blast, everyday is a new adventure, a new town with more storys to share. I hope that you don’t mind us sharing your story with others because we have everyday since meeting you. Thanks again, tell the kids hi……
Great walking with you in Springfield. Keep up the great work and stay safe! Enjoy the rest of your travels!
Thanks for walking, that was awesome, to get that many officers to walk with us the last five miles just proves that we are all in this together. It was a blast in Springfield.
I’m glad to know that Ron is meeting up with you tonight. NO MORE BACK PACKS!!!!I know your happy about that. Just think how amazing it will be without them! Thanks Ron!!! Take care and Bryan try not to out fish Randy to many days. Hopefully we will be able to Skype you on Sunday when we are all with Mom. BE SAFE!!!
Thanks Laurie for following, I will try to do better with downloading the info.
Maybe it’s my computer screen but your answers to posts have the right-hand 10 or so letters cut off. Is it me?
No, I am working on the repair
Sounds like this has been quite an experience and you are meeting the people who make this the greatest nation on earth! Don’t forget to have a cold Coors Lite when you reach the Rockies and I watched a guy three times the size of Bryan try and eat that steak dinner in Amarillo years ago and he was sweating so bad about 20 minutes into the challenge that I thought he was going to have a heart attack. That’s an unbelievable meal! Good Luck Bryan! Stay safe guys!
We stopped at the Big Texan a few years ago just to look around. A waitress said a few have eaten the 72oz steak but almost all fail and I think the meal then costs you $1 per oz! A policeman could probably afford that on his salary but we plumbers can’t
Hey Randy! Great thing you are doing and it sounds like something you will take with you the rest of your life. Be safe!
Hey Rude;This is your old dad!It was really great talking to you earlier.We’re really glad your trip is going so good & you’re having so much fun.I don’t remember if I ever told you,but I was stationed in Amarillo when I was in the Air Force!Watch out for the sand storms!DAD
Randy, Bryan and Ron,
Was great to meet you and to have had a few minutes of your time. Hope your stay in Sapulpa went well. Good luck with the rest of the hike. Hope you find some great fishing holes along the way.
Stay Safe and Check Your 6.
It was so awesome that Mom and Dad got to see you and talk to you tonight!!! Sounds like your still having a great time I’m glad Ron is with you guys now. Take care of yourselves and Bryan try not to lose anymore of your stuff haha… I love you and can’t wait to hear more of your stories.. Be safe!!
Bryan, Randy and Ron we are so glad the trip is going well. We miss you already! Hope you have continued success in the venture. We are checking on things here for you! Bryan ~ Dan really is missing you the most, probably more than Jodi:~)
Thanks Gayle and Dan, We thank you for your support and for the generous donation. We are having a blast.
Been following your route. Looks like you’re doing fine. Keep the updates coming, we love hearing where you are.
Sorry been real busy the last three days, I will try to catch up with the updates.
Bryan and friends, so happy you are making this trip, it is a great cause. Bryan I remember when you first talked about this dream. When you return must have a party to share all the stories and show all the pictures. I will say prayers for your continued safety on this journey. Bryan uncle Ozzie would be proud that you have out fished Randy and Ron! Take Care.
I’m with the Amarillo PD-one of Randy, Bryan, and Ron’s “tour guides” for the stop on Wednesday. We were really blessed in timing and weather for the guys’ day in Amarillo, which was too short. Potter Co. Deputy Harry Smith and his crew welcomed them into town, the APD was sort of the “in-town host,” and Trooper Art Lopez of the DPS (Texas Highway Patrol)as provided them with their first leg of the day ride out the next morning.
The service was moving, and having the Relay there added another dimension. Dinner that night was WAAAYYY too short-the three intrepid travelers were telling us stories of the trip so far that night and we could have listened all night! I told them that they had to write a book when they were done.
Guys, double up on the sun screen and get some rest. Bless you and thank you.
Brent, Since leaving Amarillo I did a lot of research on that Helium Monument that you wouldn’t take us to see. Did you know that it is listed as one of the most traveled too destinations in the world by clowns, I can’t believe you picked the Cadillac Ranch over that as your favorite. Your the greatest, thanks to you and Monika for putting up with us one evening. Keep in touch.
Hi guys! We miss you. I agree, you will have to have a party so we can all here more stories. I am still stoked over Bryan calling me! Stay safe, keep living the dream and come home SOON! Am praying for God to watch over you, I am sure he has assigned that special duty to our ol buddy, Jack and he is following you every step of the way. Love you guys!
Fellas, is there someplace where I can get
an itinerary of the rest of your stops? I
hope you went through town in Shamrock, TX
and saw the old Rt 66 service station that
was a model for the movie “Cars.”
Mike, We just arrived in Flagstaff AZ today, our next stops are Seligman AZ, Kingman AZ, Vegas, Barstow CA.,Riato CA. and then Santa Monica CA. We stopped in several diners and saw other buildings, land marks used in making of the movie. Last night we stayed in the tee-pee’s in Gallup that was the inspiration for the hotel that was featured in the film.
Rude I can’t imagine that Ron could loose the keys to the van! He never looses or forgets anything. And you know how Bryan is!!!! It had to be you!!
Hope you guys are having a great trip. Hurry home!
I have been following Ron on facebook, and I am so glad he posted the website. Brian, if you would have told me about this, I would have been following from the begining! Proud of all of you. What a great way to honor the fallen. Enjoy every minute and thanks for representing the “best side” on Route 66.
Randy, who would have believed that there could be life west of St. Louis! Did you have time to visit the meteor crater? I hope you’re going to the Grand Canyon tomorrow. If you have time how about a haircut at Angel Delgadillo’s barber shop in Seligman?
Can’t wait to hear all of the endless stories for many years to come…take care and enjoy the time of your life…many blessings, sis-in-law and good friend.
Bryan, Thanks for the call, your right I am proud of you for many reasons. Can’t wait to see the picture of you next to the rail of the Grand Caynon, Its a pretty awesome site, especially when your closer than the parking lot. Just one correction I’m only 5 years older than you, little brother. Love you.
http://www.wmctv.com Two more officers killed in the line of duty 05-20-10 in West Memphis Arkansas yesterday on traffic stop. Two other officers injured when they confronted the suspects in a Wal-Mart parking lot. My best friend was working with them. Please pray for all involved there.
Bryan Randy & Ron you should be about walking into santa monica now im glad your walking is over enjoy you golfing at torre pines i am so proud of all of you for doing this and randy especially for all the work you did. try to rest up a little ill be glad when you get home love you all mama z
Mama Z, That is so kind, I know that you had a hard time with this adventure, however thanks for letting my little buddy go with me. I know it was as special to him as it was for me, we love you.
So glad your journey has reached the end! Can’t wait until you are all home safe and sound. I have really enjoyed following the blog and sure glad you did that for us to read along the way. Safe travels!
Thanks Gayle, it was a special trip, we have so many stories to tell, however I would have never gotten any sleep trying to get them on the blog, I hope I did ok.
YEAH Randy, Bryan, & Ron,
Really exciting journey for you all to remember. Thanks for keeping everyone back here updated. Randy can’t wait to see ya face back at the office and miss the Wednesday runs. Very thankful you all stayed safe and be careful the last stetch of your travels. Congratulations on a wonderful cause and accomplishment, you all should be very proud.