There were plenty of motorcycles around the Perryville Downtown Square this past weekend as a group of veterans and motorcycle enthusiasts took part in a special event.
The event, dubbed the third annual Missouri Vietnam Wall Run, was sponsored by the Veterans in Defense of Liberty and the Liberty Riders of America, and was timed to coincide with National POW/MIA Recognition Day last Friday and the ninth annual Bikers on the Square event in Perryville on Saturday.
However, they did it with a heavy heart. Wall Ride organizer Terry Willey passed away within the last year and the event went on in his honor. The new Commander of Liberty Riders of America Ken Taylor will now lead future events.
“We must not let this event die,” Taylor said. “Terry wanted this to grow bigger and bigger so we must continue his legacy.”
This year’s edition of the Wall Run began in Willey’s hometown of Springfield on Friday with a contingent of motorcycles starting early in the morning and riding to Perryville. That contingent attended a candlelight vigil later that night at the Missouri’s National Veterans Memorial. Then the group rode to Fredericktown on Saturday and met up with another group from St. Louis and around the state, and rode in a procession back to Perryville for a special ceremony.
The bikers were greeted by Tim Chambers, the saluting U.S. Marine, as they came upon the Downtown Square.
“That was one of the coolest things I have ever been a part of,” Chambers said later.
Missouri Governor Mike Parson was unable to attend this year’s version. However, he did send along a statement that was read aloud.
“Millions of Americans answered the call of their country to protect freedom around the globe,” Parson wrote in his letter. “Those in the armed forces do not always receive the recognition they deserve for their sacrifice. I will always recognize those sacrifices and honor them.”
That ceremony’s featured speaker was Retired United States Army Major General Patrick Brady. The ceremony honored servicemen that are still unaccounted for as well as recognizing former POWs and all Vietnam veterans.
“America doesn’t have any kings or queens, dukes or duchesses, but we do have nobility,” Brady said. “That nobility comes in the form of our veterans. Our premier titles are KIA, MIA, and POW. These titles were not inherited, but earned through their blood, sweat and tears. Those three things are the holy trinity that secures our freedom.”
He also spent time recognizing the people of Perryville.
“There’s a way in the military of judging fellow human beings,” Brady said. “The best way is to see if I would want a person standing next to me in combat? I saw a bunch of guys I would want with me here today.”
Brady later spent time recognizing Vietnam War veterans who were not well received when they came back from the war.
“I wonder if there is still wars fought today where we are still saying ‘welcome home’” Brady said. “When Vietnam War soldiers came home they were often treated as war criminals. No veteran has suffered mentally more than the Vietnam veteran. The Vietnam veteran should be celebrated for the humanitarian efforts that occurred while they were there and they should be celebrated for that.”
That was the overreaching theme on Saturday.
“The MIA, KIA, and POWs should all be remembered for their sacrifices in not only the Vietnam War, but all wars,” Brady said.
