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Veterans mark 36th Run for the Wall, urge remembrance for POWs and MIAs
Summary
Speakers at a commemorative event described cross-country routes leaving Ontario, California, visits to VA homes and stops at VFWs and American Legions, and urged continued efforts to account for POWs and MIAs; a veteran called the ride 'the most healing thing' he has experienced.
Speakers at an event marking the 36th anniversary of Run for the Wall described the cross‑country motorcycle ride and urged continued attention to service members listed as prisoners of war or missing in action.
A veteran who addressed the gathering said the ride departs from Ontario, California, on three routes — north, south and a 'midway' route — crosses Highway 40 and stops at VFWs and American Legions to feed participants and visit VA homes. "We travel to, bring awareness to the M.I.A.s and the POWs that are still missing out there," the veteran said.
The remarks emphasized the group's mission to "educate our young people that freedom is not free," saying the U.S. military bears the cost of maintaining that freedom. The speaker recounted first learning about Run for the Wall and eventually completing the ride, calling it "a blessing to be with a bunch of veterans who have the same mission as I do." He added that most riders are either veterans or "a patriot."
A presenter at the event named "Eric Parker Bryce" and said, "Lieutenant Eric P. Bryce was aboard the USS America on its 5th day in the Tonkin Gulf on the line at Yankee Station," offering a brief military-service reference during introductions.
On repatriation, the veteran said, "We have over 1,500 Vietnam vets' remains that have not been brought home to the families," and added that "over 80,000" service members from World War II remain listed as missing in action and "probably will never be found." Those figures were presented by the speaker as estimates.
The memorial character of the ride was also framed as personal healing: the veteran said his son has ridden with him since about 2015 and that completing the ride has been "the most healing thing that I've ever done as a Vietnam vet." The remarks concluded with an acknowledgement of organizational leadership and thanks.
Organizers described the ride as both a remembrance mission and a series of community stops where participants visit veterans' facilities and engage with local posts. The event remarks focused on remembrance and veterans' experience; no formal votes or policy actions were recorded in the transcript.
