Run for the Wall returns

Palo Verde Valley Times ^ | Friday, May 09, 2008 | Marty Bachman

[Pete-R-Bilt]

Run for the Wall returns

More than 400 bikers rolled down Hobsonway last year, the first time Run for the Wall came through the town. This year a pair of helicopters plan to join in the parade to the Colorado River Fairgrounds.

By Marty Bachman

Over 400 motorcyclists will return to Blythe on May 14 as part of the 20th anniversary of the "Run for the Wall," paying tribute to veterans as they make their way to visit all the war memorials in Washington, D.C., including the Vietnam Wall Memorial.

Veteran bikers from the Vietnam War, Somalia, the Gulf War, Iraq and Afghanistan will be part of the contingent, which first came through town last year.

A veteran's service group, Run for the Wall is expected to exit Interstate 10 at Mesa Verde at 11 a.m., where they will be escorted by Blythe Police, Riverside County Sheriff's and California Highway Patrol officers the length of Hobsonway to the Colorado River Fairgrounds.

Wings and Rotors, a veteran's service group out of Murietta, Calif., will be flying four helicopters to D.C. as well, leaving the same day from French Valley Airport. Two of the helicopters will be diverted to Blythe and fly over the parade route down Hobsonway.

The California coordinator for Run for the Wall, "The Major," said that since Blythe is the only town in California that does anything for the Run for the Wall.

According to Floyd Marlowe, a director of the Blythe Area Chamber of Commerce and co-owner of the Sizzler Restaurant on Hobsonway, who was instrumental in bringing the group to Blythe, a second reception will be held on June 7, when all four helicopters will land at the Blythe Airport on their return from D.C. Marlowe said that Blythe airport was a training base for B-17s in WWII and a plaque out front of the airport commemorates the field's history.

Once at the Fairgrounds, the bikers will be treated to lunch and a special presentation honoring veterans. Last year, local businesses contributed a tank of gas to the veterans as well.

Locals are encouraged to attend the lunchtime event and to line Hobsonway for the bike run in a show of support.

Last year, according to Marlowe, 560,000 bikers met at the Pentagon parking lot in Washington, D.C. and traveled together to all the war memorials in the D.C. area. The plan is to tour the memorials again this year on May 24.

Many will also take part in the Rolling Thunder ride to the White House, where they will meet with the president on Memorial Day, May 26.

Two years ago, Marlowe met three group members at his restaurant, who told him about the group and their plans.

"They asked if there was any way anyone in Blythe could arrange to feed their group," Marlowe said. "I presented the idea to the Blythe Chamber Board of Directors and they agreed to sponsor it."

The Board also made Marlowe the chairman of the event and he's taken responsibility since then.

Marlowe said he was glad to put the event together and that a lot of his motivation came from his love for his deceased brother,

Army Major David Marlowe, who was a 20-year veteran Army Aviator who won a Purple Heart after being shot down over Vietnam.

David Marlowe, who came home to Blythe after leaving the service, served on the Palo Verde Unified School District Board, and was appointed by the Riverside County Board of Supervisors to the East Area Planning Council.

Marlowe was also appointed by the governor of California (an appointment approved by the California State Legislature) to serve on the Lower Colorado River Basin Regional Water Quality Control Board for the state of California.

David Marlowe succumbed to agent orange induced cancer.

"He was a damned good person and damned good brother," Floyd Marlowe said.

Floyd Marlowe now has a nephew, Army Sgt. David Barron, who is serving in Afghanistan.

Barron was wounded in a fire fight in Afghanistan some time back but has returned to the front.

Marlowe's niece, Marlo Barron, graduates May 25 from the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. Next up for her will be pilot training.

Marlowe said that donations from Sizzler and this entire community have been pouring in.

"Pepsi has been generous with water and Gatorade and the people in this community have been so generous in their donations; we're gong to have a fine meal for them," he said.

Local ROTC students will be there and riders will walk into the fairgrounds under the cross sabers of the Color Guard.

There will be introductions and thanks to the community and there will be a special presentation for those killed, for those missing in action, and for those who were POWS.

"We are encouraging everybody to be on Hobsonway to wave to them and to thank them for their service to this country and to welcome them to Blythe," Marlowe said. "We just want to encourage as many people as possible to be out on Hobsonway. We're asking all veterans to be out there but anyone who is interested can attend."

[Pete-R-Bilt]

Route

[Pete-R-Bilt]

veteran ping

[WestCoastGal]

Wow, what a great tribute to our soldiers and veterans.

I hope they all can read about or better yet see that in person.

[tubebender]

Great story Pete. I am going to copy it and send it to some veteran FRiends and family...

[B4Ranch]

Thanks Pete. I sent it off to some other Vets who are on the Route.

[SouthTexas]

Great find! Thanks to all of them.

[RonDog]

From that link:

Starting in Rancho Cucamonga
Central Route Stops 2008
Day #1 Williams, AZ
Day #2 Gallup, NM
Day #3 Eagle Nest, NM
Day #4 Burlington, CO
Day #5 Junction City, KS
Day #6 Wentzville, MO
Day #7 Corydon, IN
Day #8 Hurricane, WV
Day #9 Lewisburg, WV

Southern Route Stops 2008
Day #1 Phoenix, AZ
Day #2 Las Cruces, NM
Day #3 Odessa, TX
Day #4 Weatherford, TX
Day #5 Monroe, LA
Day #6 Meridian, MS
Day #7 Chattanooga, TN
Day #8 Wytheville, VA
Day #9 Roanoke, VA
Day #10 D.C.

[RonDog]

From www.rftw.org:

RUN FOR THE WALL XX

CALIFORNIA TO WASHINGTON DC
2008

20 YEARS OF HONOR
Riding in Freedom for Those Who Can't

Central Route Coordinator
 Ron "Hammer" Young 614-839-8542

At 8:00 am on Wednesday, May 14, 2008, veterans from all wars and their supporters will leave from the Victoria Gardens Mall at the junction of I-15 and Foothill Blvd (R-66) in Rancho Cucamonga, CA, on their annual pilgrimage across the heartland of America.

Most will be riding motorcycles. Our mission is to create a groundswell of support for American PRISONERS OF WAR and MISSING IN ACTION from all wars, and to help those injured by war to heal. This 10 day, cross-country journey will include ceremonies with veterans and civic organizations, visits to war memorials, visits with VA hospital patients, and other stops to make sure our POW-MIA's are remembered. 

We require you start your journey with RFTW from a morning departure site. It is mandatory that you register to ride with RFTW. During registration you must show your valid motorcycle license endorsement and proof of current motorcycle liability insurance.  There is a $10.00 Registration Fee.  At registration you will receive your personal Arm Band and an ID Strip to be placed on your motorcycle.  You will also be given a medical form and lanyard to be filled out and placed around your neck to help in the event of an accident. Attending the Morning Rider's Meeting is required to learn of the riding protocol, hand signals and any possible changes in the day's itinerary. 

In Washington, DC, on Memorial Day Sunday, our group will unite with other riders from all over the country to form Rolling Thunder XXI, a Welcome Home and We Have Not Forgotten Parade from the Pentagon to the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial -THE WALL. Last year over 500,000 bikes participated.  We will not go away until everyone is home!

COME SHOW YOUR SUPPORT. 

[DoughtyOne]

I’m going to try to attend this Ron. Can we drive behind them as they leave and follow along out to Riverside? It would be nice to show that type of support as well.

Perhaps we could meet up for a brunch/lunch somewhere. Let me know what your plans are and I’ll coordinate with you and the group.

BTW, I have room in my Mariner for three, if you and others would like to join me as I follow them out, if that is allowed. I could bring you folks back to your cars.

Take care bud.

Thanks for the ping to this.

[RonDog]

Howdy, D1!

Not sure that I will be there. :(

But I did want to ping the SoCal gang to this noble endeavor.

[DoughtyOne]

That’s okay Ron. I understand. Thanks for the ping.

[The Spirit Of Allegiance]

BUMP!

D1, that is a great profile page, Sir.

[DoughtyOne]

Thank you. I appreciate it.

[Syncro]

A Sounds-Like-A-Great-Event BUMP!

Wish I was closer to ride along a bit with them

[DoughtyOne]

That would be good. Sorry...