Memorial Day Motorcycle Tribute
This Memorial Day, over 970 Americans came together to honor veterans as they participated in an event known as Run for the Wall. This 10-day motorcycle journey spans from Ontario, California, to Washington, D.C.
Founded in 1989 by Vietnam veteran James “Gunny” Gregory along with a handful of other veterans, RFTW aims to raise awareness about prisoners of war and those still missing in action. It’s recognized as the largest and longest-running organized cross-country motorcycle ride.
“It restores my faith in America and humanity.”
This year, riders set off from California on May 13th, taking one of three routes on the RFTW Trans-America Route—Central, Midway, or Southern Route—before arriving at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in D.C. on May 23rd, just prior to Memorial Day.
A fourth route, the sandbox route, led participants from D.C. to the Middle East Conflict Wall Memorial in Marseille, Illinois, honoring a newer generation of veterans from the Global War on Terror.
Along the way, riders are welcomed in various cities, often greeted by enthusiastic locals waving American flags. A notable stop in Gallup, New Mexico, features a grand motorcycle parade, followed by a “Veterans Gathering” ceremony and dinner for riders at Red Rock Park.
The motto of RFTW is “We ride for those who can’t ride.” Each segment of the journey focuses on remembering service members who have been killed, missing, or held captive. Riders take a moment to write names and details in chalk on the ground, displaying photos and biographical information for passersby to see and reflect upon.
At the front of the group, riders maintain a missing person formation, with five motorcycles and an empty spot for a sixth, symbolizing military personnel who are unaccounted for. Their photos and stories are taken to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and affixed to a panel with their engraved names.
Ted “Boots” Kapner, the Public Relations Director for RFTW, shared that since joining the cross-country rides in 2017, Memorial Day has acquired a “whole new meaning” for him. He also hosts a podcast where he reads the biographies of those memorialized on the wall.
“Every time I read a bio on the podcast, I feel like I get to know them,” he noted, reflecting on details about their backgrounds and families. “This isn’t just another barbecue or celebration; it’s a deeply solemn day of remembrance.”
Reaching the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Kapner described the experience as “a cascade of emotions.” He mentioned, “We’re all in tears, but we support one another. It feels like family… It restores my faith in America and humanity.”
Kapner urged everyone to take a moment on Memorial Day to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice for freedom.
