Belmont County Hosting Run For the Wall Veterans

ST. CLAIRSVILLE, OH ) – The veterans’ motorcycling organization, Run For The Wall, has a planned stop in Belmont County this Memorial Day weekend. The riders will be on a multiple day journey from California to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., and complete their route at the Middle East Conflicts Wall in Marseilles, Illinois.

Run For The Wall is the largest and longest organized cross-country motorcycle run of its kind. They recognize the sacrifices and contributions made by veterans who have served our nation. It was founded in 1989 by two Vietnam veterans that traveled across America on motorcycles, educating about the thousands of men and women still unaccounted for from war and honoring the memory of those killed in action.

Run For The Wall riders include veterans and active military personnel as well as friends, family and other supporters. Their goal is to promote healing for all veterans, to call for an accounting of all Prisoners of War and those Missing in Action (POW/MIA), to honor the memory of those Killed in Action (KIA) from all wars, and to support our military personnel all over the world.

Belmont County residents and visitors are invited to welcome the motorcyclists as they are escorted off I-70 at exit 218 by the mall. Their expected arrival time is approximately 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 29th. Residents and businesses along Route 40 and Main Street in St. Clairsville are encouraged to add flags and patriotic décor to help show our patriotism and welcome them into Belmont County.

The Belmont County Tourism Council together with the American Legion Post 159 in St. Clairsville, North Star Polaris, Indian Dealership in St. Clairsville and the Tri State Military Veterans Museum in Belmont are assisting with activities for the riders during their time in Belmont County.

“Belmont County is excited to host motorcyclists from all over the country this Memorial Day weekend,” said Jackee Pugh, Executive Director, Belmont County Tourism Council. “Run For The Wall organizers contacted us about a potential overnight stay in the county months ago, and since then we have been thrilled with how the community is coming together to plan for and embrace these visitors. The partnerships in our community have blown me away with their willingness to work together and create an amazing Memorial Day Celebration. Our office could not have done it without the support of the American Legion Post 159 and the Gilman’s from North Star Polaris, Indian Dealership.”

The community is invited to attend a Memorial Day Ceremony for the riders before they depart on Monday, May 30th at 7:30am in front of the Belmont County Courthouse. The program will feature a welcome from Commissioner Echemann, music from the St. Clairsville High School Band, a firing salute from the American Legion Post 159, and comments from retired Army Col. Bill Mulvey.

Col. Mulvey served 30 years active duty in the US Army. His decorated career includes serving as Infantry Platoon Leader in Vietnam, Chief of Media Relations, Army Staff in the Pentagon, Chief of Media Relations, Press Center in Saudi Arabia during Desert Shield and Desert Storm, Chief of Public Information at NATO Military Headquarters in Belgium and in Bosnia, and retired as Chief of Public Affairs for the US Army Corps of Engineers.

Col. Mulvey now resides in Georgia, but has ties to Belmont County, as his wife is a graduate of St. Clairsville High School.

“I am really looking forward to this event. It is so great to see community partners come together to support a cause,” Pugh said. “I wish safe travels to all who are riding in Run For The Wall 2022. And I want to encourage all residents to come out this Memorial Day weekend to show your support and give thanks to the veterans that gave so much for us all,” Pugh said.

For more information about the Run for the Wall, visit www.rftw.org. For more information about the Memorial Day Ceremony or other events in Belmont County, visit ,www.visitbelmontcounty.com or contact the Belmont County Tourism Council at 740-695-4359.