Annual Run for the Wall stops in Mount Vernon, Ill.

MOUNT VERNON, Ill. (KFVS) - Motorcyclists traveling to Washington, D.C. for their annual ride to promote healing among all veterans and their families again made a pitstop in Mount Vernon, Illinois.

More than 300 bikers participating in the Run For the Wall arrived around 10:45 a.m. on Tuesday, May 23.

We talked with a first-time participant about his experience on Tuesday.

“It’s hard for me because I haven’t really healed, and these people really help, they really help a lot, and I know when I get to the wall they are going to be there for me and it’s just, I’m very emotional,” Brian Aleshire said.

This was Gulf War veteran Jim McDonough’s second year participating.

“You know, I’m a Gulf War vet. I’ve been to several campaigns. My father was in Vietnam and my uncle was in Vietnam, and this is a way to remember them and make an accountability to make sure we don’t forget about those who went on before us, missing in action and the killed in action and also to ride for those who can’t because I know a lot of veterans who would like to do this, they just physically can’t,” he said.

The group refueled at the Hucks at 34th Street and Broadway. Afterward, they gathered at the Rural King parking lot before they paraded to the Mount Vernon Outland Airport.

After dinner at the airport, the group got back on the road on Route 15 to Wayne City where they will get back on I-64.

The final destination of the ride is the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The Run For the Wall is an annual motorcycle ride which raises awareness of all Prisoners of War and those Missing in Action, those Killed in Action and to promote healing and support for our veterans and military members.

This is the 33rd year for the event.

Mount Vernon is the only pitstop in Illinois.

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