Curtis Road, where it meets Judge Orr Road in Falcon, Colorado, is clear of bystanders on any given day, but on Saturday, May 20 – Armed Forces Day – flags, motorcycles and members of the American Legion Riders Post 2008 lined the north side of the intersection.Dozens from the Falcon American Legion Dane R. Balcon Post 2008 family, including Sons of the American Legion, the Womenís Auxiliary and the American Legion Riders, braved the chilly breezes as they patiently waited to wave through hundreds of riders in the central route of the 29th annual Run for the Wall.Each year, thousands of riders – fathers, mothers, grandparents, veterans, active duty military, friends and family – make the 10-day trek to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C., in time for Memorial Day.Riders take one of three routes on the ride, which begins in Ontario, California. Riders coming through Falcon May 20 were part of the central route.In years past, members of the American Legion Riders Post 2008 have taken part in the Run for the Wall; while no Post 2008 riders were part of the run this year, dozens came out to show their support.ìFor three years now weíve been showing our support for Run for the Wall,î said ALR Post 2008 Vice President CJ ìDeuceî Baker. ìWe are helping honor our military, and support the guys riding to Washington.îìThis is a ride to educate people,î said Melissa ìBartî Dashner, a U.S. Army veteran who coordinated Post 2008ís Run for the Wall gathering this year.ìWe remember those who have been killed in action, those who are prisoners of war, those who are missing in action, and remember those who served and their sacrifice. We ride for those who canít.ìLast year, this was my first event (with the ALR), and I was definitely very excited to be a part of this. Itís amazing to see all the bikes come through and the camaraderie for all of them.îThe event began in 1989 when Vietnam veterans James Gregory and Bill Evans traveled across the country on their motorcycles.On their way to Washington, riders participate in parades and visit schools, veteran hospitals, monuments and museums. People line the roads to cheer on the riders.James “JWilly” Williams, a member of the ALR Post 2008 who participated in the cross-country run in 2016 and 2015, came out May 20 to show his support for the riders. He recounted stories of hospitality for the riders, including the year a poor rural Arkansas town hosted a dinner for the riders.Frank ìPonchoî Serrano, the ALR Post 2008 president, along with the American Legion Riders Post 38, provides a complementary lunch in Fountain, Colorado, for the central route riders. Riders refuel in Pueblo, Colorado, and the American Legion Post 1985 in Firestone, Colorado, pays for the refuel in Limon, Colorado.The Run for the Wall riders came through about 2:20 p.m. They were welcomed with cheers and waves as they rode by, many of them waving and honking in return.American flags, the Colorado State flag, the POW/MIA and flags for each of the six United States military branches swayed in the wind as the riders passed.For more information on American Legion Riders Post 2008, contact 719-749-1140 or visit http://www.americanlegionpost2008.org.For more on Run for the Wall, visit https://www.rftw.us.
