Local Veterans support Run For The Wall

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Jeff Walston
  • 917 Wing
Barksdale, AFB, La --  Approximately 300 participants in Run For The Wall 2008 rolled down Interstate 20 past Barksdale AFB, La., on their way to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C., urged on by the waves and shouts from hundreds of supporters who lined the overpasses and embankments from Waskom, Texas, through Bossier City, La., May 18.
 
This year's expedition, which started in Rancho Cucamonga, Ca., on May 14, took ten days to reach the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, where participants joined the Rolling Thunder Parade in Washington, D.C., on May 24. The parade started in the Pentagon parking lots and parade through downtown Washington, ending at the Wall. 

Two RFTW routes were being traveled simultaneously. Both the Southern and Central routes took different paths to the same finishing point. As RFTW made its way across America, the riders made stops at Memorials, Veteran's Hospitals, and schools and sometimes, welcome home receptions. The groups traveled about 250 to 300 miles a day before stopping at predetermined locations for the night. 

According to the RFTW web site, James Gregory and Bill Evans, a couple of Vietnam Veterans, started the RFTW in 1989, by traveling across America on motorcycles, talking to local radios, televisions, and newspapers about the men and women still unaccounted for from all of our wars.
 
The purpose of RFTW is not to create a venue for political speeches or to stage demonstrations, but to get its message to the American public by riding through the United States. The riders are committed to obeying the traffic laws and treating all citizens with dignity and respect. 

Public awareness and an opportunity for all Veterans to start their healing process are not the only benefits of the RFTW experience. After days on the road, participants become a part of the RFTW family whose members hail from all over the United States, Canada, Australia and other countries. For most, it becomes something special. It becomes more than just a road trip. 

Michael Eubank and James Plumley, Patriot Guard Riders, East Texas Chapter, were under the overpass at mile marker 633 in Waskom, Texas, when the RFTW riders came through. The excitement created by the waving hands, wailing sirens and blazing horns was evident in the faces of all who were there to witness the event.
 
According to the Patriot Guard Riders' Web site, they are a diverse amalgamation of riders from across the nation. They have one thing in common besides motorcycles. They have an unwavering respect for those who risk their very lives for America's freedom and security. 

"It's tough on you sometimes. I rode with them last year for a day. It makes a difference how you feel, especially if you are from that era. It's emotional for me. Some people just don't understand," said Eubank, a Vietnam Veteran. 

"The Patriot Guard Riders stand for those who stood for us. When we go to a funeral or a home coming for a veteran, we don't just show up because...we go because the family asks us to be there," said Eubank. 

"The Patriot Guard Rider organization was started in 2005, in Kansas, after an incident at a funeral and now has over 139,000 members nation wide," said Eubank. 

Riders from any number of organizations participating in RFTW pay their own expenses, but have been fortunate to get support from organizations and people along the way. Meals, gas and lodging on occasion are just some of the things that have been donated along the route. 

Members of the Barksdale Freedom Riders were also a part of the support. 

On an embankment a mere 6000 feet inside the Louisiana state line, Eric L. Lewis, 2nd Civil Engineering Squadron, chief of logistics, stood waving as the line of motorcycles and support vehicles passed by him. 

"I was floored," said Lewis. "I was moved." 

Lewis, a member of the Barksdale Freedom Riders, decided to show his support for the RFTW by a showing of colors. A group of spectators, including Lewis, were wearing tee shirts with colors that formed the Vietnam Campaign Ribbon. 

"I am in awe of those who served in Vietnam," said Lewis. "It's like the first time someone ever told me thank you for my service in the military. It was really something."
Some of the Barksdale Freedom Riders goals are to improve rider skills, promote general road safety and awareness for non-riders while enhancing the relationship between riders and the local community. 

"There's no discrimination. Three wheels or less, we welcome all individuals," said James M. Lilly, BFR, president. 

Membership in the BFR is currently limited to Military ID card holders, or any DoD/Federal/State/Local employees who have access to Barksdale AFB. 

Anyone who would like more information about Barksdale Freedom Riders, please call 318-393-4517 or access their website at barksdalefreedomriders.com. 

Anyone who would like more information about Patriot Guard Riders, please access their website at patriotguard.org.

Some information was obtained from the Web sites: http://www.rftw.org/
http://www.patriotguard.org/