No one should be left behind.
That’s one reason they ride.
They start in Ranch Cucamonga, CA and ride across the
country for ten days—picking up members as they go—until they reach the Vietnam
Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., where their Run officially ends the
Sunday before Memorial Day. It’s called The Run for the Wall and it was started
in 1989 by a couple Vietnam Vets who wanted to raise awareness of the thousands
of men and women who served our country during times of war who are still unaccounted for.
It is their deepest hope that the ride will help promote
healing for those who have issues of loss related to time in service to our
country.
What an honor to welcome almost 500 riders to
our community this week as they pass through. What a moment when they file in—an endless
line of leather and steel—all decked out in red, white, and blue. And when they
park their bikes and fan out over the lot, their sense of joined purpose is palpable. Voices charged with joy echo out over all that acreage of
parked metal as they greet each other in shared expectation.
We welcome them with a band and cheers and all that is the ticker-tape.
Despite all the jubilation--revving motors and cries of recognition--when The Star-Spangled Banner is sung...the only competing sound is the whipping of Old Glory in the wind.
No one should be left behind.
I’m thinking about this as she approaches us—swigging a
bottle of water and wrapped in leather and a smile.
“Hi, guys,” she
says, as if she hadn’t just ridden hundreds of miles strapped to a piece of
metal—as if she is greeting some old friends.
We shift our little circle and welcome her in, ask her where
she’s from, queue her about the long ride. She’s done this before—maybe many
times—and she makes us comfortable with her ready smile and gentle voice. She
is so not what I’d expect from a biker babe.
Her name is Sonia.
Sonia wants us to remember. She rides for the veteran’s, yes…but
for a greater rescue too.
Because no one should be left behind.
With my sandy, the
13 comments:
Precious. What lovely eyes you use to see the world, Laura. Love, as a worldview, brings Him such glory!
What a wonderful act of service for all of those brave hearts to speak for those with no voice.
Thank you for this tribute. We have friends who participate on this ride from the Eastcoast. Never forget...
Many of them ride by our townhouse, having come from North 495. Tomorrow, they'll start at noon and end at The Wall around 4:00. Amazing group of people.
What a wonderful post for this weekend, Laura. Thank you...and have a great Memorial Day weekend.
to those who go on
to those who have gone on before us
to those who have been left behind
and to the meeting in the sky
Love this, Laura! I will no linger dis the many bikers who ride through our town. You showed what I'm missing.
Laura, thank you. I knew about this ride from Rancho Cucamonga; my husband is a vet. Brought tears to my eyes. But how even more amazing still is our God to bring Believers along the way to be part of all of this.
I too was thinking about Shavuot--Pentecost--this weekend. Father, touch people with your power and presence.
Awesome write. Thank you,.
I am getting choked up think about those unaccounted for, and then I think about those who are not accounted for in the Lamb's Book of Life. Perhaps we should have a ride for those yet unsaved.
I was unaware of this ride and it is absolutely wonderful. Good to see your red headed young man in there with the others.
I love everything about this post, but my favorite part is your son's hair. My lil Char's head glows like that.
You almost made me cry with this one. What a punch in the end!
Amen! So much what my husband has had in his heart for many years. He set motorcycling aside... but has never not wanted to do it ... for fun and for the Service heart that he has and had. It truly is honorable this time of year to show appreciation to our dear ones.
Love this Laura. I am often moved by anyone who does something with purpose like this. It is inspiring.
Post a Comment