By Ted Kapner
For Run For The Wall, Inc
Every May, the rumble of hundreds of motorcycles marks the beginning of one of the most meaningful rides in America. This year, approximately 1,200 riders from across the United States and around the world will gather in Ontario, California to begin a journey that stretches across the nation. Their destination: the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The event is known as Run For The Wall, often shortened to RFTW. More than just a cross-country motorcycle ride, it is a moving tribute to veterans, their families, and friends – and a powerful reminder of those who never came home or remain unaccounted for as Prisoners of War (POW) and Missing in Action (MIA).
A Ride with Purpose
The ten-day journey begins on Wednesday, May 13, at 7:00 a.m. as three coast-to-coast routes depart from the parking lot of the Ontario Convention Center. Opening ceremonies will take place beforehand, and spectators are welcome to attend free of charge.
From that moment forward, the riders will travel thousands of miles across America. Their final destination is the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, where the names of more than 58,000 service members are etched in black granite.
But for many riders, the journey doesn’t end there.
After reaching Washington, many participants will join the annual Rolling to Remember through the nation’s capital. Then, Run For The Wall continues on a final three-day leg – known as “The SandBox Route” going “wall-to-wall” and ending at the Middle East Conflicts Wall Memorial in Marseilles, Illinois.
A Community on Two Wheels
The riders themselves represent a cross-section of America. Veterans ride alongside active-duty service members, first responders, and civilians. Among them are patriots, supporters, friends, and family members – mothers, fathers, grandparents, and younger riders alike.
Despite their different backgrounds, they share a single purpose captured in the organization’s motto: “We Ride For Those Who Can’t.”
Along highways and on overpasses across the country, communities gather to wave flags, hold signs, and salute the passing riders. In many towns, local residents line the roads to show their support, turning the run into a rolling expression of national gratitude.
From a Small Ride to a National Tradition
Run For The Wall began in 1989 when a small group of Vietnam veterans rode motorcycles across the American heartland. Their goal was simple but urgent: to draw attention to the thousands of service members still unaccounted for from American wars.
They stopped in towns along the way, speaking with local radio stations, television reporters, and newspapers to raise awareness about POW and MIA issues. The message resonated, and the ride grew.
Today, Run For The Wall has evolved into a major annual event, drawing riders from across the country and around the world. Since 2022, the organization has expanded its journey beyond the coast-to-coast ride to include the “Wall to Wall” segment, connecting two national memorials and further honoring those who served in more recent conflicts.
A Mission of Respect and Healing
Despite the emotional weight behind its mission, Run For The Wall is not a protest or demonstration. The ride maintains a strict focus on respect, discipline, and unity. Participants travel in an organized formation, obey traffic laws, and treat every community they encounter with courtesy.
While raising public awareness remains a central goal, another mission lies at the heart of the run: healing.
For many veterans – especially those who served in combat – the return home did not always bring closure or understanding. Friends and families also carry the emotional impact of deployments, loss, and uncertainty.
Run For The Wall provides an environment where those experiences can be shared among people who understand them. Over the course of thousands of miles, riders build bonds of camaraderie and support. For some participants, the journey becomes a long-delayed welcome home.
Witnessing the Departure
For those interested in seeing the event firsthand, the departure in Ontario offers a powerful moment. Hundreds of motorcycles lining up before dawn, riders preparing for a cross-country journey, and spectators gathering to cheer them on creates an unforgettable scene.
As engines start and the formation rolls out, it signals the beginning of another year of remembrance—one carried forward mile by mile across America.
For more information about routes, schedules, and estimated arrival times along the ride, visit the official Run For The Wall website at RFTW.US.
Link to their itinerary: https://is.gd/lWDPmS
