Attack #21-Sunny Sunday in San Jose31 May - Our last attack of the invasion was carried-out by the remaining 12 foot solders, dubbed
The Dirty Dozen, and lead by local South Bay Strider Secretary, Phil Braverman. It started out in a kind-of shady looking neighborhood and initially appeared to be a contender with Merced as the worst march of the invasion. This impression was further instilled as we entered the San Jose State University Campus and discovered a large trashy picnic area. The march however, significantly improved as we advanced through the historical campus. This is the first campus of the California State University system and is believed to be the first public institution of higher education on the West Coast. It was also the home of the two 1968 Olympic Team athletes that displayed the infamous Black Power salute during the Star Spangled Banner at the Summer Olympic awards ceremony that caused such a big stir. The march looped through downtown San Jose and continued along the Guadalupe River path amid the river parks and gardens. This attack also included a stroll by the HP Pavilion, which is fondly referred to by locals as the Shark Tank (home to the San Jose Sharks). It was a fun and exciting final day as we all enjoyed the attack.
After a few hours of R&R, I retreated from the area and drove the 85 miles to the Vacaville Sam’s Club for the night.
Mission Status for day 16 of 16: Completed 21st of 21 scheduled attacks for a total of 182.5 miles on the ground and 1050 convoy miles.
Do You Know the Long Way to San Jose?The direct route from Petaluma to San Jose is under a hundred miles and takes less than 2 hours to drive it. In fact, you could walk it in less time than it took this SAAD team of foot solders to do it but, it wouldn’t be near as much fun. Our invasion route was over 1000 miles and took 16 days to complete. Along the way we experienced many diverse regions of California. From the
American Graffiti city of Petaluma, through the blazing heat of the Central Valley, over the Grapevine that separates wide open stretches of farmland and cattle range from the sprawling megalopolis of the Los Angeles Basin, to the cool sea breezes and magnificent vistas of the Pacific Ocean, down the streets of quaint villages along the western seaboard of this great nation, and finally ending in the renowned Silicone Valley. Few believed in us as we were considered by many as disoriented and ill-trained misfits but, we proved them wrong as we successfully marched over 150 miles and conquered 21 cities on
our way to San Jose. Thanks to all my comrades who helped make this a most successful and memorable event(
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V Day! |
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In the picture to the right, Ol’ Glory represents us surrounded by the many cities that raised the white flag in surrender, as they fell one by one to our SAAD marching unit.
(Click the pic->>>) The SAAD Marching Squardron was formed by the following 36 AVA members from several California clubs who joined the invasion team and participated in at least one attack. Click on the pic to the left and then the right scroll arrow or slideshow to view various invasion pics.
Nancy Alex
Phil Braverman
Charlie Fowble
Carlos Gama
Vanessa Gama
Judy Gordon
Bette Haskell
Ron Haskell
Grace Holloway
Wayne Holloway
Betty Howland
Arlene Jones
Bev Jones
Phil Jones
Jean Lucas
Larry Mondragon
Rita Moriorty
Martha Morris
Ron Morris
Dave Pelz
Jo Ann Pelz
Anthony Rangel
Cris Rangel
Doug Rathgeb
Don Ratliff
Marillyn Ratliff
Dan Robinson
Bud Simmons
Jill Simmons
Judy Stroud
Pat Thomas
Joanna Watzig
Diane West
2 unnamed warriors
and of course, me
To return to my regular 2009 trip journal, click here>>>>Road Trip 2009
