Run For The Wall continuing on to Washington

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A mile of motorcycles line route 66 as the riders of Run For The Wall prepare to continue their trip to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D. C.

WILLIAMS – The motorcycle riders of Run For The Wall travel from California to Washington D. C. to muster at the Vietnam Veteran Memorial Wall on Memorial Day. Their ride is intended to bring attention to the fact that there are still Prisoners of War (POW) and others Missing in Action (MIA) from wars and conflicts that America has been involved in.

Veterans of Run For The Wall gather in the morning at Wild West Junction for breakfast, snacks and other gifts from the community of Williams.

There are three routes this group takes and the Central Route stops the first night in Williams each year. They are fed dinner by volunteers in the community who assist the American Legion Cordova Post #13. In the morning, volunteers from the community turn out to provide breakfast, snacks and gifts from the City of Williams.

Local high school volunteers and other members of the community turn out to bid a safe journey to the riders.

Each year more people turn out to see the motorcade down Route 66 and welcome the Veteran riders. Each year new, younger veterans take the place of aging Vietnam veterans who are passing or can no longer ride. They continue the tradition of Riding for those who can’t.

Mayor John Moore, who supports the efforts of these Veterans every year, greets the riders of Run For The Wall.


Run For The Wall was started by James Gregory and Carl Rice at the behest of Marion Shelton, wife of Colonel Charle Shelton the last “official” prisoner of war from Vietnam. From humble efforts, the first R4TW left San Diego in May of 1989. Out of the 115 motorcycles in the first effort, only 15 made it all the way to the Vietnam Veteran Memorial Wall. Now hundreds make the journey on the three routes.

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