COOKEVILLE, TENNESSEE: A MAJOR STOP FOR RUN FOR THE WALL
Veterans’ Motorcycle Event Routes Through Tennessee for the Seventh Year
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – A key micropolitan in the Upper Cumberland, Cookeville will soon play host on the Run For the Wall’s Midway Route, welcoming over 400 riders as they continue their treck to Washington, D.C.
Escorted by the Tennessee Highway Patrol, Putnam County Sheriff’s Department, and the Cookeville Police Department, the group of riders will arrive to Cookeville, Monday, May 23 at approximately 4:30 p.m. CT, parading down Jefferson Avenue, welcomed by waving American flags and the smiling faces of locals.
With a tagline of “Riding For Those Who Can’t,” the cross-country event has a mission to call attention to prisoners-of-war and those missing-in-action, to honor those killed-in-action from all wars; and to support all United States military personnel around the globe.
The 10-day journey beginning in Los Angeles, California and ending on Memorial Day in Washington, DC at the Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial Wall and Arlington National Cemetery is both emotionally and physically demanding.
In addition to drawing awareness for POWs, MIAs, and KIAs, RFTW seeks opportunities along the route to educate future generations and serves as emotional healing for veterans riding the route and those encountered along the way suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, especially those from the Vietnam era.
The Cookeville-Putnam County Visitors’ Bureau, city and county officials, local veterans’ service organizations, LifeChurch and Sam’s Club join area residents and businesses to provide the welcome that many of the riders never received when returning home from war.
Following their parade, riders will attend a private dinner and meeting at the Leslie Town Centre, along with a live performance from Hershel Meadows, a virtual performance by Dailey & Vincent and a special message from Governor Bill Lee and Tennessee’s Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Tourism Development, Mark Ezell before retiring to area hotels.
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Photo: Riders enter Cookeville city limits on their way to Washington D.C. on Mememorial Day in efforts to bring awareness to military veterans killed or missing in action.
QUOTES:
“Putnam County supports any opportunity to honor our veterans, especially prisoners of war and those killed and missing in action. Honoring those that were not able to experience their own homecoming is a lifechanging experience for many locals.” – Putnam County Mayor Randy Porter
“Cookeville takes pride in giving these riders their most hearty, Southern welcome of their 10-day journey. It is a true privilege to take part in this event and celebrate those bringing awareness to our brave veterans who were lost or killed in action.” – Cookeville Mayor Ricky Shelton
“After a two year delay due to Covid, we are honored and excited to welcome ‘Run For The Wall’ veterans and supporters to Cookeville once again as they ride to Washington D.C. to pay their respects to fallen soldiers. Thanks to all of our law enforcement agencies and emergency personnel that have helped us coordinate a safe event. We invite the community to join us by gathering along South Jefferson as a show of support for our veterans.” – Director of Tourism Shan Stout, Putnam County Visitors Bureau
“We are thrilled to see this event return! Each year, our community shows up to play a role in their mission, as our community wholeheartedly embraces this group and has since we first hosted Run for the Wall nine years ago. Run for the Wall and its riders are so special to us.” – President & CEO Amy New, Cookeville-Putnam County Chamber of Commerce