PORT ANGELES – A special motorcycle trip left Port Angeles yesterday.
The “Wall Before I Die” effort got a big send off from the Veterans Center. The ride is with local resident Kelly Cooke and her Vietnam War veteran friend Bob Glaves. Alaska Bob, as he is known, suffers from terminal disease due to his exposure to chemicals in the Vietnam War. Doctors have given him only a short time to live. So, the avid motorcycle rider wants to take one last ride. This one will take he and Kelly across the country to Washington DC to visit the Vietnam War Memorial.
Bob and Kelly met years ago, when Kelly was on an organized motorcycle race from Florida to Alaska. She got into trouble, and Bob took her on as a riding partner. The two finished that race together with just a few hours to spare.
The latest effort is also a fundraiser for Pennies for Quarters, a local charity helping homeless veterans in Clallam County.
You can donate to the cause and track Kelly and Alaska Bob’s effort at their “Wall Before I Die” Facebook page.