CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The roar from hundreds of motorcycles rumbled across the state Capitol grounds as the Run for the Wall arrived in Charleston on Thursday morning.
The annual 10-day trip, which takes veterans and supporters on a cross-country ride from California to the Vietnam Memorial in Washington D.C., concludes Friday.
Nearly 400 bikers made one of their last stops in Hurricane on Wednesday night and then arrived in Charleston. A ceremony was held at the state Veterans Memorial to honor West Virginians who lost their lives serving.
John Staub, of Stafford, Va., is completing his fifth year as part of the run, but his third year riding coast-to-coast.
“I just can’t say enough about coming to West Virginia. It’s a wonderful place. Probably one of the most patriotic states in the United States. We just love coming here,” he said.
Staub is a U.S. Air Force veteran of 24 years who currently works for the U.S. Army. Along with his years of service, Staub said he specifically rides to honor his father, a World War II veteran.
“We ride for those who can’t and that includes our personal family members and brothers and sisters,” he said.
With tears running down her face, Krista Pinter said she rides for her father and grandfather, both military veterans.
“I feel like it’s my way to do my part because I haven’t served. It’s just a way to show respect for them and what they went through,” said Pinter, of Jacksonville, N.C.
Pinter is a passenger who hopped on the back of her boyfriend’s motorcycle at a stop in Missouri. She said the rain that came down as they rode into Charleston was nerve-wracking as a passenger.
“You have no control, but most of the people that are out here are experienced bikers, so we’re not here to take risks,” she said. “We’re just really here to be safe, have a good ride and represent all the veterans.”
Lenny Cook, of Denver, also joined along near a halfway stop in Goodland, Kan.
Being his first run, Cook pointed to his pin that read “F.N.G.,” a keepsake that first-year riders receive.
“I won’t say what it actually stands for, but I’ll say ‘Fun New Guy.’ When I get to the wall, they turn it (the pin) upside down,” he said.
Cook is a Vietnam veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard who wanted to honor colleagues who died in the line of duty.
The run moved on to Rainelle after the ceremony.