PHOTOS: Run for the Wall bikers pay tribute to those killed in combat

Bikers from across the United States once again made their way to the nation’s capital this Memorial Day weekend to pay respect to those who lost their lives defending the country.

The annual Run For The Wall is a cross-country motorcycle ride along three dedicated routes from California to D.C. The event, which was started in 1989, seeks to promote healing among veterans and their families and friends, as well as honor the memory of those killed in combat.

“It’s a healing mission. Me being a Vietnam-era vet losing two close friends, it gives me closure,” RFTW participant Randy Decastro, of Ogallala, Nebrask, told WTOP.

A sea of motorcycles covered parts of the National Mall as bikers gathered at the Lincoln Memorial on Saturday.

“We have a number of military men and women in our organization, and we always come to pay tribute to those that have fallen in war time and those who are still here,” Mark Martin, president of the Knight Strikers Motorcycle Organization in Atlanta, told WTOP.

run for the wall motorcycle ride
Participants in Saturday’s Run for the Wall event, which was founded by Vietnam veterans, gathered at the Lincoln Memorial. (WTOP/Dick Uliano)
motorcycle run for the wall 2019
Bikers participating in the annual Run For The Wall come to the nation’s capital to honor those who gave their lives for their country. (WTOP/Dick Uliano)
Run For The Wall motorcycle ride
Run for the Wall is cross-country motorcycle ride along three routes from California to D.C. (WTOP/Dick Uliano)
Run For The Wall motorcycle ride 2019
Randy Decastro, a Vietnam veteran from Ogallala, Nebraska, participated in this year’s Run For the Wall motorcycle ride. He lost two close friends in the war and says the annual event is a healing mission that gives him closure. (WTOP/Dick Uliano)
Run For The Wall
Mark “No Limit” Martin, president of the Knight Strikers Motorcycle Organization in Atlanta, participated in this year’s Run For The Wall. “We have a number of military men and women in our organization, and we always come to pay tribute to those that have fallen in war time and those who are still here,” Martin said. (WTOP/Dick Uliano)
run for the wall motorcycle ride
A sea of motorcycles covered parts of the National Mall during Saturday’s Run For The Wall. (WTOP/Dick Uliano)
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run for the wall motorcycle ride
motorcycle run for the wall 2019
Run For The Wall motorcycle ride
Run For The Wall motorcycle ride 2019
Run For The Wall
run for the wall motorcycle ride
Dick Uliano

Whether anchoring the news inside the Glass-Enclosed Nerve Center or reporting from the scene in Maryland, Virginia or the District, Dick Uliano is always looking for the stories that really impact people's lives.

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