Vicksburg welcomes Run for the Wall motorcyclists

The Southern Route of the Run for the Wall passed through Vicksburg Monday morning.

The Run for the Wall is an annual event to bring awareness to veterans and veterans’ issues. Each year before Memorial Day the group of motorcyclists rides across the country from the west coast to the Vietnam Memorial in Washington DC.

In 1986, James “Gunny” Gregory, a biker, an active-duty Marine Corps Drill Instructor, and a Combat Vet, became actively involved in calling attention to veterans’ issues. Over the next couple of years he worked to improve the country’s awareness of those issues and in 1989 organized the first ride across the country.

In May 1989, Marion Shelton saw the first Run leave from San Diego with a local police escort. Bill and I were in the lead. However, before we reached Ontario, Bill lost some of his gear, blew a tire, and then blew his motor. He spent the rest of The Run in the back of a pick-up. Pete then came up and helped with the pack and mechanical needs. This was the first time anyone had ever tried to lead a pack of motorcycles across country. Everyone said we were crazy. About 115 bikes left San Diego the first year. Most turned back in Las Vegas, but about 15 went all the way.

The tradition has continued each year since then except in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID-19 restrictions.

The group left Tallulah at around 10:38 a.m. and be passed through Vicksburg on I-20 around 11 a.m.