How are you honoring our Veterans this Memorial Day?
Don and Kristine Wood of Cypress, Calif. are joining thousands of other motorcyclists in a 10-day, 2,715 mile journey across the country to visit the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Arlington Va. They will average 15 hour days that will include driving in traffic, stops for gas and meals, climate changes and bugs.
How are you honoring our Veterans this Memorial Day?
Don and Kristine Wood of Cypress, Calif. are joining thousands of other motorcyclists in a 10-day, 2,715 mile journey across the country to visit the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Arlington Va. They will average 15 hour days that will include driving in traffic, stops for gas and meals, climate changes and bugs.
Don and Kris are the parents of nine children and five grandchildren. They have a dental practice in Cypress. They are active in their church and are members of the American Legion Riders and Daughters of the American Revolution.
So, why would they put their lives on hold, pack one change of clothing in their saddlebags and jump on their motorcycle to ride across the county in 10 days?
Kris is quick to respond.
“Why do I ride? My family has fought in every war from The Revolution on down. My family has personally suffered from the affects of war. I want to give back to those who serve our great nation to keep us free.”
So they began their journey on May 14 in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. with more than 200 bikers. The ‘Run to the Wall’ was organized by the American Motorcyclist Association. They coordinated three different routes across the country with places to stay, gas stops, meals and opportunities to meet with the communities they pass through.
Their goal is to honor and remember veterans of all wars, and to educate future generations on the importance of accountability in wartime actions. In each State, breakfast, lunch and dinner has been prepared and served to them by local communities, American Legion Posts, churches, Elks Lodges and local restaurants.
Riders have been touched by the generosity of those serving them. In Colorado City, Texas, a small town of five square miles and a population of 2,000, bikers were overwhelmed with the patriotism shown to them. As they rolled in to “fill ‘er up,” they found that the bill had already been paid. The American Legion Post fundraises all year to be able to buy the riders’ gas and feed them lunch.
The Colorado City Fire Department hung a huge flag to welcome them. Lunch was provided with a spread of steak, chicken, potato salad and bacon wrapped poppers. The riders were treated to a program with tap dancers, a violin solo, a community band, veteran’s biographies shared by local students and finally a Boy Scout leader singing “Proud to be an American.”
They left Colorado City Texas without a dry eye. Similar experiences have been repeated in other communities they have passed through. By the time they arrive in Virginia, Don and Kris will be one of 33,000 bikers. Kris wants to be sure to capture the spirit and stories of their great event.
“I will be blogging along the way in anticipation of publishing a book commemorating the 2014 Run for the Wall, as well as honoring the Vietnam Veterans I meet along the way.”
To learn more on the annual ride, visit http://www.rftw.org/. Follow Don and Kris’ journey on her blog: http://www.ridingforthewall.blogspot.com/or on twitter @rideforthewall or Facebook; Ridingforthewall.
