The Wall That Heals honors the more than three million Americans who served in the U.S. Armed Forces in the Vietnam War.  It bears the names of the 58,281 men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in Vietnam.  On June 29^th the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Replica and Mobile Education Center left Middleton heading for Meridian.  I heard about this just the day before this was going to happen, thank you Ruth.  I decided I will put a flag on my motorcycle and join a few guys along the road to Scentsy Commons. To my surprise there were already a few hundred bikers there when I showed up.  We left Middleton a few minutes after 2:00 heading to my hometown of Star.  So nice to see such much support from the community with hundreds of people waving to us along the path.  Officers from several agencies closed State St. and Eagle Rd. for our journey. Half the motorcycles were in front of the truck carrying the wall and half behind.  I was in the group following.  Several of the cars that were stopped by law enforcement on the other side of the road had drivers pop out, stand at attention and salute the procession. So encouraging and uplifting to see so many patriots along the road waving flags.

https://thewallthathealsmeridian2023.org

 These young men who many were forced to go into battle for a conflict that was never meant to be won.  Returning home only to be called names like baby killer and worse.  Spat upon by spineless draft dodgers who neglected their duty by breaking the law and running from their obligation to America. 

This has a very personal meaning for me as well, not just being a proud American citizen.  Also due to the death of a family member in the war. PFC James Leonard Boehler was one of the 58,281 killed in action in that senseless conflict.  You will notice the first name, James Boehler and James Ludwig, both named after my mother’s big brother James.  My cousin Jim was born April 1^st, 1949 (same day of the year as Uncle Jim) We had a lot of fun buying gag gifts for Uncle Jim throughout the years.  Unfortunately, Cousin Jim was never there.  I met him for the last time when he came to visit our family in California after boot camp.  He was from Racine Wisconsin, birthplace of my mother Charlotte.  In just the short time he was with us he loved California and pledged to visit and hopefully make the Golden State his home upon return.  Unfortunately, PFC James Leonard Boehler’s name sits upon the wall at panel 25E line 22.  James was sent to the DMZ after boot camp.  Being a FNG means you have no friends.  You did not get a friend in Vietnam unless you were “in country” for a year.  We will get back to FNG later.  My cousin was shot and killed by a North Vietnamese sniper at the DMZ after only 11 day’s “in country”.

50 years later my friend Mike “Chief” Bryant invites me to take a little motorcycle ride with him and a few buddies who are veterans or who support our veterans.  For over 30 years “Run for the Wall” has been riding 2,995 miles across America with a few thousand riders to support a crucial mission: To promote healing among all veterans and their families and friends, to call for an accounting of all POW’s and MIA’s, to honor the killed in action from all wars and to support our military all over the world. www.rftw.us This amazing ride opened up an experience I will never forget.  One of the goals of this great organization is to educate future generations on the importance of accountability in wartime actions, emphasizing that no one should ever be left behind.  I went along with the smaller group taking a new route we call Midway.  The first step was to prepare my new “old” Honda Goldwing for the ride.  Spending time at the Chief’s garage with other riders I met a veteran we call “Little Big” Mike.  He is little because he lost both his legs in the war.  The big is associated with his personality.  You know when he is in the house.  Little Big Mike gave me an education on what was really happening on the ground and in the DMZ in 1967.  The DMZ was a major kill zone for incoming marines trying to figure out what was happening and trying to stay alive. Jim Boehler was sent there as soon as he arrived “in country”.  Back to FNG (F*&%ing new guy), with that title you are invisible to all others that arrived before you.  They figured no sense in making a friend of one who has such a poor chance of staying around.  After a year or so you can then build what relationships are possible under the circumstances.  Cousin Jim was a prime example of the deaths that occurred at the Demilitarized Zone.  Back to my trip across the country with Chief, Mike, Danny Boy, two more Mike’s and the rest of the guy’s I had yet to meet.  We rode down from Seattle to Ontario CA where the ride will start.  First, I get my FNG patch then spend the next few days meeting a host of wonderful guy’s and gal’s riding in or supporting us along the way.  Before we hit the road, we took a day to visit the Riverside National Cemetery.  Riverside National Cemetery is home of the Medal of Honor Memorial and one of four sites recognized as a National Medal of Honor Memorial Site.   Now we are ready to head to Washington DC and meet the rest of the riders at the Wall on Memorial Day.  Wearing the “FNG” patch all other riders decide we will not be treated in the same way they were in Vietnam.  I could not spend a penny on anything at anytime as someone around sees the patch and covers the bill for the next 3,000 miles.  Every gas station along the way was already paid for by local communities before our entire group rode through.  So, in 2024 I will be riding again as an “old” guy looking forward to treating the new guys (FNG’s) with as much love as possible. 

Michael “Chief” Bryant, Mike “Little Big Mike” and myself getting ready to leave Seattle.

With Frank at The “Wall” Panel 25E Line 22.

The guy’s making the run and a few extra supporters.