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| Above, Run For The Wall on eastbound I-40 west of Albuquerque. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
It was a very windy drive and my hands and arms were getting tired by the time I reached Bowlin's Bluewater Outpost, 32 miles from home. I figured I would stop in for some coffee and do some browsing.
After about 45 minutes, I got back on the road and got home in Jamestown about a half hour later.
The trip began yesterday morning when I left Jamestown. While waiting for the construction traffic signal to change to green (the I-40 freeway and bridge over to the Flying J are under reconstruction), I noticed police (lots of police) escorting about a hundred or so motorcycles as they exited the Interstate at our exit to head over to the Flying J.
They are participants of this year's Run For The Wall, The Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C.
Here's what it's all about:
Run For The Wall® (RFTW) was started in 1989 by James Gregory and Bill Evans, two Vietnam Veterans who traveled across the heartland of America on motorcycles. They talked to local radio, TV and newspapers about the thousands of men and women still unaccounted for from all wars. The need for this awareness continues today and we carry on this tradition every May.
We don’t give political speeches or stage demonstrations. RFTW gets its message to the public by riding across the United States: Coast-to-Coast. We obey traffic laws and treat all citizens with dignity and respect. The issue of public awareness is only part of the reason RFTW exists. We also give Vietnam Veterans and all Veterans the opportunity to receive their own “Welcome Home” and start their healing process.
Anyone who has fought or has friends or loved ones who have fought in a war, has their own issues from their own experience — the welcome home, the goodbye to buddies lost, the ability to finally help the young men and women we watch every night on TV, or just trying to accept coming home alive. Many who participate in The Run find that whatever they’ve been missing can be found in the RFTW family. They can finally start settling issues that have been “stuffed” away for many years.
There’s a nominal charge for participating in The Run, plus you pay your own expenses such as lodging. We are fortunate to receive support from organizations and people along the way. Most breakfasts, lunches, and evening dinners are provided FREE, or for a small donation by concerned citizens. There are many generous groups and individuals who also pay for our gas, too.
The trip is a 10-day ride from Ontario, California, to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, DC, where The Run officially ends. We meet on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial just before noon on Saturday before Memorial Day. From there, we walk as a group to The Wall and declare our Mission Complete by placing a plaque at the apex. There are other non-RFTW events scheduled throughout the weekend, including the opportunity to participate in the Rolling Thunder Parade in Washington, DC, on Sunday. This is a sight to behold — 350,000 plus motorcycles all starting from the Pentagon parking lots, parading through downtown Washington, and ending at The Wall.
During the journey across the US, we make stops at memorials, Veterans’ Hospitals and schools. We enjoy parades, escorts and “Welcome Home” receptions provided by the patriots in our host cities.
Participants range in age from 8 to 80. They include fathers, mothers, grandfathers and grandmothers (some of whom ride their own bikes!); veterans from World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm, Iraqi Freedom and Afghanistan; active duty military; supporters; friends and family. Everyone is welcome, veterans and non-veterans alike. The main rule is NO ATTITUDES.
Some people join RFTW and think it is just a vacation or another motorcycle event. After a day or two, you realize this is something special and unlike anything you’ve experienced. You become part of the RFTW family whose members come from all over the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, The Netherlands, and other countries. What could be more perfect than riding on a mission, making new friends and helping a very good cause (POW/MIA)?
You don’t have to ride a motorcycle to participate. By joining or supporting RFTW, you can share in our Mission. The important thing is to join the cause!
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| Above, Run For The Wall with Route 66 Casino in the background at right. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
Seeing all those motorcycles with their police escorts was very impressive.
But this wasn't the end of the Run For The Wall for me. This morning, as I was leaving Albuquerque, I was about a mile or so from the Route 66 Casino (where I stayed the night before) on Interstate 40 when I saw many police vehicles (cars and motorcycles) approaching from the eastbound lanes. It was the RFTW. I managed to get a couple of photos of the run as they passed.
For more information on Run For The Wall, go here.
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