It was a cool bright morning as hundreds of motorcycles rumbled into Raton on their way east to honor those who paid the ultimate price for our freedoms.
Once the Run for the Wall motorcycles were fueled the crowd gathered around a trailer where Ron Chavez, a purple heart recipient, welcomed the riders to Raton and spoke of the ridicule that many of the veterans that returned from Vietnam faced. He also talked briefly about the important role that so many women (approx 7500) played in that conflict. He went on to say that someone said “America is like a bank, you have to put something in it if you want to get something out, 58,148 names on the wall, they put something in our nation’s bank.”
Today these riders are on their way to a wall, a wall that was built in 1986 and is now often referred to as the “healing wall”. The wall contains the names of those 58,148 men and women who sacrificed it all and he went on to say that one more came home this week as Master Sergeant James Holt was laid to rest in Arlington. Holt had been missing in action for 48 years. “Dying for freedom isn’t the worst thing that can happen but being forgotten is.” said Chavez.
After presentations of appreciation the riders once again mounted their rides and continued on the journey that will help many heal from the wounds they once received.
50 American Flags and 50 POW flags flew along the road to the NRA Whittington Center Saturday morning (May 16, 2015) in honor of the Run for the Wall.
US and POW flags at the Whittington Center
Just one of the many vest that riders wear
Groups from all over the country ride for those who can’t
The Run for the Wall started as a healing process for those who fought in Vietnam, an unpopular war, veterans who returned from there were often shunned. This ride has become a healing for many of those veterans and to honor those that gave the ultimate sacrifice.
Painted on the front of the of one bike.
Purple Heart Recipient Ron Chavez spoke at the Run For the Wall ceremony Saturday (May 16, 2015)
Tim Trujillo Independent Riders, Ron Easyburns Central Route Coordinator, Dave Fleming next year’s coordinator and Ron Chavez Vietnam Veteran at the Run for the Wall Ceremony Saturday morning. (May 16, 2015)
Ron Easyburns accepted this signed hard hat that was to be presented to Master Sergeant Leroy Petry, Medal of Honor Recipient from the Colfax County District Eight Volunteer Fire Department, Petry’s tricycle however broke down and he was unable to make the trip up.
This signed hard hat was to be presented to Master Sergeant Leroy Petry, Medal of Honor Recipient from the Colfax County District Eight Volunteer Fire Department, Petry’s tricycle however broke down and he was unable to make the trip up.
The Young Marines Color Guard
Presented by the Raton Fire and Emergency Services
As they head out of town several of the Christian Riders wave and salute these riders.
Heading through downtown Raton on their way to Washington, DC.
“They ride for those who can’t” the moto of the Run for the Wall as this soldier honors those who ride.
