Run For The Wall: An Epic Cross-Country Journey of Honor, Healing, and Remembrance

Imagine this: a convoy of motorcycles stretching as far as the eye can see, roaring down the highways of America, carrying a powerful message of honor, remembrance, and healing. This is Run For The Wall, an annual event that has become a symbol of unity, solidarity, and support for veterans and active duty military personnel.

Since its inception in 1989, Run For The Wall has grown into one of the most influential and impactful initiatives within the veteran community. Every year, thousands of motorcyclists from all walks of life embark on a pilgrimage across the United States, riding from California to Washington, D.C. They gather from all corners of the country, joining forces to make the journey together, illustrating unity, brotherhood/sisterhood, and the power of a collective voice.

Run For The Wall: Remembering Vietnam on a Motorcycle Pilgrimage

by J. Marsha Michler (Kindle Edition)

4.8 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	4158 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	312 pages
Screen Reader	:	Supported

FREE

Why Run For The Wall?

The primary purpose of Run For The Wall is to promote healing among veterans and their families, as well as to honor the memory of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their country. By traveling hundreds, and sometimes thousands, of miles on motorcycles, these riders aim to raise awareness about the challenges faced by veterans and advocate for appropriate healthcare and recognition for their contributions.

The psychological and emotional impact of war takes a toll on veterans, often resulting in post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and other mental health issues. Through Run For The Wall, participants find solace and comfort in the support and understanding of their fellow riders. The journey becomes a cathartic experience, fostering healing and helping veterans come to terms with their experiences.

A Pilgrimage of Remembrance

Run For The Wall is not just a motorcycle ride; it is a pilgrimage of remembrance. Along the way, riders stop at various memorials, cemeteries, and veteran homes to pay their respects and honor those who have served. These stops hold immense emotional significance, as riders connect with the stories and sacrifices of their fallen comrades.

One of the most powerful moments of Run For The Wall is the annual visit to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C. Here, riders gather to reflect, lay wreaths, and pay their respects to the 58,320 names etched on the wall. It is a humbling and emotional experience that reminds everyone of the cost of war and the importance of honoring those who fought.

A Community United in Purpose

Run For The Wall serves as a unifying force within the veteran community, bringing together veterans from all generations and branches of the military. Whether you are a World War II veteran, a Vietnam War veteran, or a recently separated service member, Run For The Wall is a reminder that you are not alone.

Along the route, entire communities come out to support and cheer on the riders. People line the streets, waving flags, holding signs, and offering words of encouragement. Local businesses often provide meals, fuel, and accommodations, showcasing their appreciation for the sacrifice of veterans. The camaraderie and solidarity experienced during Run For The Wall create a sense of belonging and purpose for the riders.

How to Get Involved

Anyone can get involved and support the mission of Run For The Wall. You do not have to ride a motorcycle or be a veteran to contribute. Here are a few ways you can join in:

1. Participate as a rider: If you ride a motorcycle and are passionate about honoring veterans, consider joining Run For The Wall. Visit their official website to learn more about the registration process and requirements.
2. Volunteer: There are countless volunteer opportunities along the route, from providing meals to offering first aid support. Reach out to local organizers or check with the Run For The Wall organizing team to find out how you can lend a hand.
3. Donate: Financial contributions are greatly appreciated and help cover the costs of coordination, logistics, and supporting initiatives that benefit veterans. Visit the official Ride For The Wall website to make a donation.
4. Spread the word: Use your voice and social media platforms to raise awareness about Run For The Wall. Share stories of participating riders, post pictures, and encourage others to get involved. Every bit of support matters.

Run For The Wall is more than just a motorcycle ride. It is a powerful movement that unites communities, honors the fallen, and promotes healing among veterans. By embarking on this cross-country journey, riders carry a message of unity, brotherhood/sisterhood, and the need to support those who have served.

So, let's join forces and make a difference. Let's support our veterans, remember our fallen heroes, and run for the wall.

Run For The Wall: Remembering Vietnam on a Motorcycle Pilgrimage

by J. Marsha Michler (Kindle Edition)

4.8 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	4158 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	312 pages
Screen Reader	:	Supported

FREE

Every May, for more than a decade, an ever-increasing number of motorcyclists have made the “Run for the Wall,” a cross-country journey from Southern California to the “Wall,” the Vietnam war memorial in Washington, D.C. While the journey’s avowed purpose is political — to increase public awareness about those who remain either prisoners of war or missing in action in Southeast Asia — it also serves as a healing pilgrimage for its participants and as a “welcome-home” ritual many veterans feel they never received.

Run for the Wall is a highly readable ethnographic account of this remarkable American ritual. The authors, themselves motorcyclists as well as Run participants, demonstrate that the event is a form of secular pilgrimage. Here key concepts in American culture— “freedom,” and “brotherhood,” for example—are constructed and deployed in a variety of rituals and symbols to enable participants to come to terms with the consequences of the Vietnam war. While the focus is the journey itself, the book also explores other themes related to American culture and history, including the nature of community, the Vietnam war, and the creation of American secular ritual.

In moving, first-hand accounts, the book tells how participation in the POW-MIA social movement helps individuals find personal and collective meaning in America’s longest and most divisive conflict. Above all, this is a story of a uniquely American form of political action, ritual, pilgrimage, and the social construction of memory.