Memorial Day Ceremony with Run for the Wall riders, 2022 (Photo: Belmont County Tourism)
A group of 325 motorcycle riders are taking part in the 36th annual Run for the Wall, a cross-country ride from California to Washington, D.C., which honors Veterans and their families and raises awareness of those who are still missing: Prisoners of War, POW, and Missing in Action, MIA.
The motorcyclists began their journey in Ontario, California, located about 37 miles east of Los Angeles. Their ultimate destination is the Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C., timed to coincide with Memorial Day Weekend. Known as the “run,” this journey spans ten days, starting in Ontario, California, and concluding at the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C. Following this, there is an additional three-day run from D.C. to the Middle East Conflicts Wall in Marseilles, IL, termed “Wall to Wall.”
The Vietnam Memorial Wall is engraved with the names of Service Members who died, went missing, or were prisoners during the Vietnam War. The riders’ mission is to honor all Veterans, their families, and friends, and support military personnel in West Virginia and globally.
Held annually every May, the Run for the Wall features three coast-to-coast routes starting mid-month and ending on the Friday of Memorial Day weekend. The three routes—the Central Route, the Midway Route, and the Southern Route—all begin in Ontario, California, and end at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C.
Run for the Wall began in 1989, started by a couple of Vietnam Veterans who rode across America on motorcycles, spreading awareness through local media about the thousands of unaccounted men and women from various wars. Their motto is “We Ride For Those Who Can’t.” Participation is open to everyone, not just Veterans, with riders ranging in age from eight to eighty, including mothers, fathers, grandparents, Veterans, active-duty military, patriots, supporters, friends, and family.
Author: Rikki Almanza
Rikki is a Web Content Coordinator for the American Legion, Department of California. With a deep-rooted connection to the military, a spouse who is a Navy veteran, a father who served in the Air Force for 25 years, and a grandfather who proudly served, Rikki is committed to using her skills and knowledge to provide valuable assistance and resources to servicemembers and veterans.