Gwen Rummell Reporting –
Uhrichsville Police Captain Brandon McCray recognized Run for the Wall at the city’s most recent council meeting.
Run for the Wall is the largest and longest organized cross-country motorcycle ride of its kind in the world. The ride features four routes honoring veterans, prisoners of war, those missing in action, and those killed in action from all wars.
Captain McCray says he is humbled by the opportunity to honor the men and women who fought for this country.
“Probably a couple of thousand motorcyclists do this ride. There’s so many people that do it that they split the rout that goes from Loa Angeles, California to Washington D.C. I ride on what’s called the southern route with a chaplain organization, Mission M25, a support organization for Run for the Wall.”
Captain McCray has rode in honor of flight navigator Lieutenant Colonel Russell Galbraith, whose plane was shot down and he was reported missing in action.
McCray has also rode in honor of Specialist Ronald Johnson, who served in Vietnam for a year and was killed in action. McCray delivered Johnson’s Purple Heart and Bronze Star to the Vietnam Memorial. Johnson was previously recognized by the Ohio House and Senate, who approved the measure to have a bridge over U.S. 250 named after him.
The countrywide trip features displays, decorations, and people lining up to watch the run.
“Every overpass that we ride under, there’s flags, people standing. Honestly, these people wait around for hours to see it. It really renews your sense of what this country is and the pride that’s still out there.”
The next Run for the Wall will happen May 15th, 2024 and it is expected to bigger than the last, which featured 1,199 participants. To learn more about Run for the Wall, visit www.rftw.us.
Copyright WTUZ Radio Inc., 2023