News-Info-Alerts

Re: Run For the Wall XV

From: POW-MIA InterNetwork

Date: May 06, 2003

"Run for the Wall is New Mexico bound soon
Jo Bynum, staff writer

CIMARRON — On May 16, veterans and supporters of Run For The Wall XV will make their annual stop in Angel Fire and Cimarron.

Run For The Wall starts May 13 in Ontario, Calif., and ends Sunday, May 25, in Washington, D.C. where it joins “Rolling Thunder,” about 200,000-plus participants in a motorcycle parade to the Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial, The Wall.

According to the Run For the Wall website, its purpose is “To promote healing among Vietnam veterans and their families and friends, to call for an accounting of all Prisoners of War and those Missing in Action (POW/MIA), and to honor the memory of those Killed in Action.”

Everyone is welcome to join the trek and participants range from 8 to 80 — “mothers, fathers, grandfathers, grandmothers (who ride their own bikes!), veterans from World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm, active military, supporters, and family.”

During their New Mexico visit, bikers will spend their first night in Gallup then ride to the Vietnam Veterans National Memorial in Angel Fire for a visit and refreshments — sometime after 3 p.m., Friday, May 16.

Eagle Nest Mayor Neva Hascall would like locals to join her in cheering the bikers as they pass through town sometime around 3:30 p.m. She will make a presentation to the Run for the Wall contingent as it passes through Eagle Nest.

Phil DiDio, Les Davis Memorial VFW Post 1139 Commander, invites the community to line Highway 64 in Cimarron to greet the “Run” around 4:30 p.m. as they enter Cimarron with full police escort. “Bring American, State, and POW/MIA flags to show your support,” he adds.

The bikers will be treated to a brisket dinner at Immaculate Conception Parish Hall, before joining Post 1139 veterans and community members for a short candlelight ceremony.

This sixth annual dinner for the riders is funded by donations and patch sales, and cooked and served by volunteers from Post 1139 and the village. As in the past, dessert donations are welcome.

Run participants this year will be greeted by the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Moving Wall display in Cimarron Village Park.

“The Moving Wall will be open all night for people to visit,” said DiDio.

Over the past four years, Cimarron High School students have competed in designing a commemorative patch to be worn on the veterans’ jackets. This year’s winner has not been named. Patches are $5 each and will be available at the dinner. “We’re also selling the whole set of five for $20,” DiDio said.

Proceeds help fund the following year’s dinner.

Prior to the group’s departure, Post 1139 hosts a continental breakfast. Community members are invited to the Saturday morning send off at 8 a.m.

Info, Phil DiDio, 376-2829 or 445-8282.

© The Sangre de Cristo Chronicle 2002 - 2003"