Laurinburg, NC 10/3/13 10:30am

Our first rally stop of the 2013 RTRT was held in front of the Laurinberg Sheriff's Department. This stop hosted by  Harlen Chavis was for Missing Delwin Locklear, Missing Roger Chambers, Missing Jessica Lowery and Missing Ricky Bethea. Delwin was 27 years old when he went missing in 2004. Roger was last seen in 2010. He was 34 years and his vehicle, a 1993 Green Camry, is also still missing. Jessica was 25 when she disappeared in 2005, and Ricky was 43 when he was last seen in 2004.
We had gotten off to a really good start that morning, no sleep, but the adrenaline kicked in as we pulled in (early) and were greeted by Harlen's big smiling face. We had his matching  shirt ready for him and were surprised to see that he was already wearing the correct color of the day.  As I began unloading the van a woman came up to help and I recognized her, which caused me to look around and realize that I knew all 4 families. I was aware that it was Delwin's stop and that I knew most of the Locklear/Chavis clan but I hadn't put it together until then that all of the missing persons at this stop had been featured on the tour the last time we traveled through 2 years ago. Which started me thinking about how there were many stops this year  that will be hosted by friends because we are traveling closer to my home this year, some were hosts 2 years ago, and some I have met at the conference. And while I am excited to see people I also wish they no longer needed to host a stop again, that they're missing love one was found.
The first couple  of stops are always chaotic, no matter how organized we think we are we still don't know exactly where things are or what we need to take out of the van. Harlen always puts the banner up first (and takes it down first), then we set up the table not sure of everything we need or what to leave in the van. Certain jobs have been agreed upon (or assigned) yet there are always changes and each stop is different. For example, we had put together one bin of a variety of shirts. Different colors and different sizes. Well, we never had the right color in the right size and I must have climbed into the back of the van 10 times. Of course it didn't help that people kept changing their minds. "You know I think a large would fit better or I changed my mind about the color". Talk about getting hot and sweaty! So, first change, from now on all the bins come out.
We stood and listened to the family speeches, and someone from the Sheriff's Department gave us flyers to bring on the tour on another missing girl. Kimberly Thrower, who was 16 when she went missing in 2004. She was last seen in the morning leaving for school.
The rally ended with us gathering in a circle for our first prayer and balloon release of the tour.  I really enjoy the releases. As we all stand together watching all the balloons fly up and out of sight you get a moment to reflect on everything you witnessed over the past hour and think about the missing from that stop. It also to me signifies the end of one stop and the beginning of the next.
Then we packed up the van and loaded Harlen's luggage. Time to say goodbye to some old friends with the hope that we would not have to return. My sincere hope is the next time I see them it's at the conference sitting up front at the Riverside vigil.
Elisa