The City of Mt. Vernon and community partners will welcome participants of the annual Run For The Wall motorcycle ride on Tuesday as riders make a scheduled fuel and lunch stop at the Mt. Vernon Airport. This is the only stop in Illinois.
Hundreds of riders traveling from California to Washington, D.C., are expected to arrive in Mt. Vernon during the midday stop, where volunteers and supporters will assist with fuel, food, and hospitality before the group continues eastbound on its journey.
Community members are encouraged to line the route and wave flags to show appreciation and support for the riders and the military community they represent.
Run For The Wall is a nationally recognized cross-country motorcycle ride honoring veterans, active-duty military personnel, prisoners of war (POWs), and those still listed as missing in action (MIA). The organization’s mission is to promote healing among veterans and their families while calling attention to those who never returned home.
“Hosting Run For The Wall is always a meaningful experience for Mt. Vernon,” said Chris Braden, Illinois State Coordinator. “It’s an opportunity for our community to come together and honor the sacrifices made by our veterans and service members while extending Southern Illinois hospitality to those participating in this incredible journey.”
The Run For The Wall organization was founded in 1989 and continues to unite veterans and supporters from across the country through its annual ride to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and other memorial sites in Washington, D.C. Mt. Vernon has been an annual stopping point since the Ride’s inception.
“Our committee meets several times and works with numerous businesses and organizations to provide a full fried chicken meal, fuel and other amenities for the group,” Braden continued. “They get a lot of sandwiches and BBQ on this journey and are always grateful for this meal in Mt. Vernon.”
