Not all of us can jump on a motorcycle and make a “Run for the Wall” (the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall) or, upon reaching Washington. D.C., take part in the AMVETS’ “Rolling to Remember” demonstration ride around the National Mall.
But we can take a “lessor road” and still participate in a meaningful way, like an hour-long motorcycle ride from Greenville, IL to Mt. Vernon’s (IL) Outland Airport. (about 70 miles)
So it happened, that myself and two buddies (each taking a day off of work) recently saddled up and headed to Mt. Vernon to join 400 motorcyclists, who were enroute from the West Coast to DC as part of the 32nd annual “Run for the Wall”. Upon arrival in D.C., the gaggle we met with will join up to 500,000 other cyclists for the demonstration ride on the Sunday before Memorial Day.
Mt. Vernon is a traditional lunch stop on this annual journey by cyclists, who start in California and pick up additional riders all along the way until the group swells to nearly 400 by the time they have completed the morning’s ride from Wentzville, MO.
Run for the Wall
The “Run” was initiated by Vietnam veterans after the “Wall” was erected in 1982 as a way of honoring those who had served. It since has grown to include concerns over the 82,000 POW/MIAs from all wars and more recently to draw attention to the average of 22 veterans a day who commit suicide.
The ride around the National Mall was known as “Rolling Thunder” and was supported by its own non-profit until it disbanded two years ago. The National AMVETS organization took it over and renamed it “Rolling to Remember”.
At each local stop along the route from California, local ceremonies give riders a chance to thank the local organizing committees and for the locals to show their support of the long-range riders. For example, a local donor paid for a gas fill up for each of the riders when they stopped in Mt. Vernon.
One of the coolest things about the Mt. Vernon stop is that the Hall of Honor & Veteran’s Museum are located within the airport terminal. Photos of 100’s of local service people and veterans who served their community and country in times of war and peace, line the halls, so you have to see them, even if you merely walk through the terminal.
The Colonel R.D. White Veterans Museum also has space in the building and it is filled with hundreds of pieces of military memorabilia collected during major conflicts. Authentic vintage uniforms, weapons, munitions, and even K-rations are on display with era newspapers, magazines, and letters home from the Civil War to more recent conflicts.
For passengers waiting for flights, these decorations are a welcome distraction from their usual “waiting” activities. And their location insures that they get exposure to thousands of airline passengers each year.
Itinerary in DC for Memorial Day weekend
The group will gather in a parking lot at RFK Stadium east of the Capitol and several of the three-day event’s activities will take place there. Here’s the list of all activities:
Friday, May 27
5:00 p.m. — Washington National Cathedral—Blessing of the Bikes
8:00 p.m. — National Vietnam Wall War Memorial – Candlelight vigil at the wall
Saturday, May 28 at RFK Stadium Parking Lot 8
9:00 a.m. — Rolling to Remember 2.2 mile run/walk
12:00 p.m. — Rolling to Remember day of prevention
1:00 p.m. — Jon Stewart will host a “Pass the PACT Act Rally” to support enhanced veteran’s benefits.
2:22 p.m. — Guinness world record attempt for Veteran suicide awareness. Each participant to do 22 push-ups at same time.
Sunday, May 29 – Ride Day
7:00 a.m. — RFK Stadium Parking Lot 8 – Gates open for riders
12:00 p.m. — Demonstration Ride (They can’t call it a parade.)
Monday, May 30 – Memorial Day
3:00 p.m. — Constitution Ave – National Memorial Day Parade Begins (Bikers not involved in this.)
Super organized
Moving this many vehicles is no easy task. It takes precision and the group is extremely well organized and has constant radio contact. After 32 years, they have the “kinks” worked out.
There are several important tasks whose riders move ahead, behind or within the ranks of the riders. Road Guards lead the pack and run ahead of the main body to help with the flow through interstate traffic. Staging staff are next and go to the next destination and prepare of the area in which the bikers will park. Ambassadors ride ahead and pull off at exits that have many local supporters bearing flags, etc. They spend time visiting with the people on the overpasses.
Each rider is assigned a platoon of “like” bikes, for example trikes run together, as do motorcycles pulling trailers. Each platoon has a “lead” rider and a “tail-end” rider to keep the group tightly together.
A “gas” group race ahead to set up a filling station in which all the riders can gas up in about an hour’s time. Chaplains and medical team members ride between the platoons.
Find a local Memorial Day event
Of course, most folks cannot take a day off to ride in support of those headed to Washington, but hopefully, you will find a local celebration to participate in. It might be a more typical community Memorial Day event with music from your local Muny Band and with local speakers. Your support of those events is just as important as those who can journey to DC on this very special national holiday. It’s a day of remembrance, so please remember to participate and reflect on those who have served our nation so well. COPYRIGHT: Permission must be obtained to reprint this blog post or any material contained on this site.
