- On
May 22, 2005
several hundred motorcycle riders wearing
black leather jackets and boldly flying their colors will rumble into
the City of
Monroe
. But unlike other possible scenarios, their
intent will not be to terrorize but rather to publicize. Sporting US
and POW/MIA flags, they will be "riding for those who
can't", those servicemen and women who left for foreign shores
and have yet to return home. They are the rearguard for those brave
souls who went off to fight
America
's wars and have as yet not found their way
back. They are the riders of "The Run For The Wall", who
will meet up with other riders at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall
in Washington, D.C. to demonstrate to the people of the world that we
have not nor will we ever forget the tens of thousands who make up the
ranks of our Prisoners of War and Missing in Action.
The
Run For The Wall (RFTW) was started in 1989 by a couple of Vietnam
Veterans who began traveling across the country on their motorcycles
publicizing the often ignored fact that we still have many thousands of
men and women still unaccounted for from Viet Nam and other wars. From
this humble beginning the effort has grown into the largest single group
of riders traveling as one unit, last year numbering over 800 bikes and
support vehicles, or "cages". While the numbers have
grown the purpose has remained the same; to call for an accounting of
all POWs and MIAs, to honor the memory of those Killed in Action, to
honor our country's current military men and women and their families,
to promote healing among all veterans and their families and friends,
and to safely guide the riders across America that they may participate
fully in the Rolling Thunder activities in Washington, D.C. on Memorial
Day.
Just
as the route to The Wall is long and arduous, so is the road many of the
riders have traveled before they reached the starting point of this
particular journey in
Ontario
,
CA
. The ride is often a point of healing from
wounds received long ago, mostly ignored but never forgotten. Many of
the riders are traveling on worn bikes and borrowed funds, knowing they
won't make the final destination without a little (or a lot of) help
from a friend. And that's where I (we) come in.
I
have recently accepted the position of Ride Coordinator for
Louisiana
. I had been peripherally involved with the
ride for several years, opening my home to several of the riders and
organizing small flag-waving activities along the interstate. Last year
I volunteered another organization I am an officer in to travel to
Minden
and extend them a welcome and conduct a brief
ceremony to the riders as they ate their dinner. That experience proved
to be more meaningful than I could have ever anticipated. I was struck
by the deep feelings of gratitude expressed by the riders for what
really was very little effort on my part in organizing the program. I
was also made painfully aware of how little some of the riders
personally had, and how much and in how many ways this trip had cost
them. Of course, there were well-heeled working professionals and
financially secure retirees on the ride, but there were also many
veterans still struggling to find their place in society, to get back to
where they once were, to try to finally figure it all out once and for
all. When it came time to pay for the meal, many expressed chagrin
at the high cost, one commented that he would not be able to afford any
more restaurant meals. Mind you,
Minden
was approximately the one-half way point on
the trip TO
Washington
,
D.C.
My organization emptied our wallets to the
ride organizers to help defray costs for those who needed it the most. I
was also concerned that the
Louisiana
coordinator had not done more in the way of
publicity and finding donors to help defray expenses. The end result was
my appointment to the position of coordinator and a subsequent move of
the overnight stay to
Monroe
.
I
would appreciate your help. It is impossible to anticipate exactly how
many riders will be here next May, but I am planning on at least
200-250. I would like to feed them at no cost and be able to help defray
their lodging costs, whether it is in motels or camping. Are there any
student organizations who might be interested in securing monetary
donations? Would there be student musical or choral groups willing to
provide entertainment during the meal. How could the communication
students be able to assist in publicity efforts? Would the university be
gracious enough to open up the Grove to camping and the
Activity
Center
for showering? In this I see endless
opportunities for fostering good will between the university and the
veteran community, many of whom are our students. We are limited only by
our lack of creativity and willingness to be involved. I can be reached
at 342-1454 or Cappel@ulm.edu for more information and/or offers of
assistance.
