May 24, 2004
Press Release

“Run For the Wall ” Rolls Through Bedford

Bedford, VA – On May 27 th, right about high noon, the rumble of hundreds of motorcycles will heard coming into Bedford County.

May 27 th, 2004, 12:00 Noon
Montvale Elementary School
Students visit with the riders

After eating lunch with the Montvale Elementary School students, the group will continue on to visit the D-Day Memorial to pay homage to those who gave the ultimate sacrifice to keep us all free.

The “Run For The Wall” was started in 1989 by a few Vietnam Veterans and has since grown to a national event with the mission to raise public awareness reminding us all that we owe a great deal to those who have served in the military and to remember that still thousands of men and women who served our country, and are still unaccounted for. Not just from the Vietnam War, but from all wars with US involvement.

Participants in “The Run” range in ages from eight to eighty and come from all walks of life and very diversified backgrounds; World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm active military, supporters and families. All participants wish to stress that they are not a political demonstration but a show of support and an attempt to unify all Americans in supporting our military, past and present.

Their trip takes ten days to reach the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C. where “The Run” officially ends on the Friday evening before Memorial Day. Riders then become part of the annual “Rolling Thunder” XVII event. On May 30 th, thousands of motorcycles, escorted by the D.C. Police, gather in the north Pentagon parking lot and parade through the city and head to the Vietnam Wall. An estimated 500,000 bikers, from all over the nation and abroad, participate in this event.

To all Media, please join the County and City of Bedford in welcoming “The Run” and show them some real Southern hospitality!

Learn more about the “Run For The Wall” by logging on: RFTW.org

Contact: Harris Gardner - 434.444.1620