Honoring veterans
Run For The Wall makes a stop
in Indian Country

ABOVE: Run for the Wall Bikers arrived in downtown Gallup Thursday afternoon, many were decorated with patriotic colors. The stop was an overnight stop on a route that will end May 23, 2008 in Washington DC. BELOW: Sargent Evan Larsen of the 44th Army Band out of Albuquerque plays Amazing Grace for Run for the Wall bikers and the general public in downtown Gallup Thursday afternoon. [photos by Daniel Zollinger / Independent]

By Kevin Killough
Staff writer

GALLUP — The annual Run For The Wall roared through Gallup Thursday. Including other participating organizations, some 550 motorcycles converged on downtown to honor veterans of the United States military. The bikes filled up the parking lot of Camille’s Sidewalk Cafe and both lanes of Aztec Avenue between Second and Third streets.

Every year a group of veterans and friends ride motorcycles from Los Angeles to the Vietnam Memorial in Washington on two routes. The central route passes through Gallup on its way to Eagle Nest.

According to their Web site, the group’s mission is to promote healing and support for veterans and their families, to account for those that became prisoners of war or have been listed as missing in action, and to honor those who have died defending the country.

“This is one of the best towns to come to,” said Roy Blake of Gallup, who started in Needles, Calif.

This was his second time riding with the RFTW, and he said that Gallup’s Native American community is especially supportive of the mission of the group.

“They really embrace their veterans,” he said.

Blake served in Vietnam and said that he rides with the RFTW to honor a friend who suffered as a prisoner of war. After his friend was released, he wasn’t the same, he explained.

“He wasn’t right anymore,” Blake said.

He also said that the RFTW provides him and other Vietnam veterans with the welcome home that really didn’t come after the war.

“When we came back, it wasn’t like this,” Blake explained gesturing to the enthusiastic crowd of about 1,000 people that gathered at the Veterans Memorial Park in downtown.

Other riders commented on the welcome received in Gallup. Ron Young, who is the central route leader, spoke at the event along with state Rep. Patricia Lundstrom, D-Gallup, and Mayor Harry Mendoza.

“One of the places that is core to the Run For The Wall is Gallup. (The riders) really understand what ‘welcome home’ means when they come to Gallup,” Young said.

He then presented a plaque to the mayor in appreciation of the hospitality of the city.

Brian Degen, a retired Air Force veteran said that he was on his third year with the group. He was serving the RFTW as a road guard.

“(Road guards) assist the group of people from start to finish,” Degan explained.

Degan said that the RFTW is an important way to honor veterans and that he was particularly attracted to the purpose of the event.

“I believe in the mission,” he said.