CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Hundreds of motorcycles honoring military veterans rumbled into the state Capitol Complex Thursday morning.
The 36th annual Run for the Wall features four routes — the Central Route began its ride across the United States on May 13 in Ontario, California and wraps up Friday night in Washington, D.C.
The event, which began in 1989, aims to promote healing, call for an accounting of all prisoners of war and those missing in action, honor the memory of those killed in action, and support military personnel around the world.
Despite rainy conditions over their two days in the Mountain State — a stop in Nitro Wednesday and a visit to West Virginia’s Veterans Memorial in Charleston Thursday — an overwhelming sense of patriotism came from the Run for the Wall participants.
West Virginia veteran and former prisoner of war Jessica Lynch spoke to the motorcyclists during Thursday’s Capitol visit. A Wirt County native, Lynch was taken prisoner for nine days during the Iraq War in 2003. She has gone on to tour the country as a motivational speaker and also teaches elementary education.
Lynch said the event was an opportunity to give support back.
“Because so many people supported, prayed, and were there for me when I came home,” Lynch said. “So, anytime that I can kind of give back in that sense, it’s special to me.
Run for the Wall Director of Communications Ted Kapner said the event is the oldest and largest cross-country motorcycle ride of its kind.
“Our motto is ‘we ride for those who can’t,” Kapner said. “We’re riding to bring about an awareness of POWs — prisoners of war — and those who are missing in action. Also, it’s a ride of healing for those who have served, and anybody who’s going through anything, really. But this is, it’s a ride to honor our veterans from all wars.”
Motorcyclists came together from all across the country to take part in the ride. Gary Keefer from McMinnville, Oregon — just southwest of Portland — was one of them. Keefer said three members of his family have served in the armed forces, including himself.
Keefer said this year was his first time participating in Run for the Wall.
“An overwhelming experience initially, but once you get to learn the people and the mission, we just want to make sure that those that haven’t returned are never forgotten,” he said.
West Virginia State Coordinator for Run for the Wall Todd Taylor said the state rallied behind its veterans.
“The amount of support we get from this state is absolutely amazing,” Taylor said. “We have a high percentage of military people that join the military to show their support for this country.”
Taylor also emphasized the motto of riding “for those who can’t.” He said there’s been a great turnout at each of the Run for the Wall stops.
“Those people [who] can’t get on a motorcycle and ride across the country, but they’ll stand out in the rain, the wind, the snow, anything, to show their support to us. And it’s just an amazing experience that we get to participate in every year,” Taylor said.
Kapner and Taylor noted that not all the riders are veterans. Some of the riders have family members who served or just want to support the armed forces. Run for the Wall designates family members of veterans as “patriots.”
“I’m a patriot, not a veteran,” Kapner said. “My dad was an Air Force pilot. And through my involvement in the “Run,” I’ve got to know a lot of guys who served in Vietnam, who served in the Global War on Terror, Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran, and as we move our way east, the emotions build and build and build.”
“You don’t have to be a veteran to ride with us,” Taylor said. “It’s one big family, as we come across this country, honoring those who gave the ultimate sacrifice, and honor our military that’s currently serving right now.”
Kapner said at every stop in the Run for the Wall, they remember those who have fallen in combat by reading their names and bios.
“We understand that these were human beings, who put their country before their life, and made that ultimate sacrifice, and we remember them, so that we bring honor to their family, to their loved ones, and they didn’t die in vain,” Kapner said. “We also stop at schools and VA hospitals. We bring a message of patriotism, of pride in our country, and just a sense of, we’re all in this together. We’re all on the same team, and we are one for all.”
Lynch said two of her former POW comrades are part of the Southern Route of Run for the Wall this year.
“The main thing is to remember that what the cause is and it’s Memorial Day and making sure that we continue to honor and support the ones who did not make it home, but also the ones who did make it home that are no longer here,” she said.
At the end of the day, Kapner said Run for the Wall is about bringing people together who were previously strangers.
“To see people from different parts of the country, different backgrounds, different races, different everything,” Kapner said. “Put aside those differences and come together for a common cause to the point where they’re hugging each other, they’re exchanging information, they’re getting to know one another’s family and grandkids and everything about them. You’re making lifelong friends on this ride.”
Run for the Wall has a big impact on communities across the country. Keefer said when he was asked to participate in the event this year, he couldn’t imagine saying “no.” He said the ride has a profound effect.
“I’m amazed when I talk to people about how far-reaching the mission goes,” Keefer said. “The fallen shall not be forgotten.”