Currently several hundred patriots are in the midst of traveling by motorcycle from California to Washington, DC. They are participating in the 27th Run for the Wall, riding in honor of all American POWs and MIA: riding for those who can't. They will arrive in Washington to join the Rolling Thunder procession over Memorial Day weekend.
The overwhelming majority of the participants are Vietnam veterans. A generation of veterans that is aging.
They ride as the mistreated, maltreated, ignored, and aging warriors from a war decades past. Justifiably angry and bitter at the treatment received from the nation they served, coming together for Run for the Wall is one way they seek healing. The peer-to-peer camaraderie of support given and gotten. A healing of sorts, which begins by greeting one another.
The most often overheard greeting was, "Welcome home, brother." Giving each other a symbolic greeting that their fellow citizens failed to provide. This steadily diminishing portion of our national population remembers and honors the POWs and MIA from their war. They remember the more than 58,300 fallen.
They didn't get the welcome home from their battlefields that our current warriors have received, as they came back from Afghanistan and Iraq. In fact, it was the Vietnam generation leading the way in making damned sure our young warriors were properly greeted.
But the Vietnam generation is aging and death is taking its toll. As these vets pass away, so does the strong patriotism they provide. Unashamed of their love of country, each morning before the Run for the Wall begins, these noble men stand and recite the Pledge of Allegiance. They stand and salute during the playing of the National Anthem. They ride with flags mounted on their motorcycles. They wear American flag patches on their leather vests. As they ride across the country, their infectious patriotism brings out the best in the nation. People waving flags on freeway overpasses as the riders rumble by. Small towns turning out to provide a donated meal. Mayors and local beauty princesses line up and shake their hands. Service organizations stand holding American flags to welcome them to town. Pastors lead bowed heads in prayer. Maybe parts of the country are working to atone for the abysmal treatment from decades earlier. The vets are both honored and humbled.
They also remain resolute in their brotherhood, even as their numbers get smaller day-by-day. With less than one-half of one percent of the nation serving in the military today, these vets are becoming an even tighter brotherhood, if such a thing is possible. Instant acceptance awaits the veteran, from whatever generation. Active duty members are celebrated, though decades younger. Current war heroes and wounded warriors are supported. The Vietnam veterans make sure the younger warriors know their service and sacrifice are recognized and appreciated by those who have gone before them.
Sadly, as the Vietnam generation ages, a critical part of our nation loses a bit of soul.
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