Veterans Tribute to Thunder Through Zanesville

ZANESVILLE, Ohio – Each Memorial Day weekend, an organization of motorcyclists known as ‘Run for the Wall’ gathers to honor fallen military service members.

Local Resident and Run for the Wall Sit-Rep Writer Mike Cooper talked about an upcoming national ride in support of veterans that will roll right through Zanesville.

“There are three routes that come across the U.S. culminating in D.C. Friday of Memorial Day weekend. Sunday of Memorial Day weekend, another route called The Sandbox or the Wall to Wall Route, leaves D.C. comes through Pennsylvania. We overnight in St. Clairsville and then Memorial Day morning, at about 9:40, we’ll be going East to West getting to the Hamline Bridge. What we’re looking for is support. We know that people on bridges are waving flags and waving at us and yelling at us but they are supporting the veterans we’re trying to support and honor,” Cooper said.

In addition to encouraging the public to gather on the interstate overpasses, Cooper explained the work his organization does along with how the public can learn more about Run for the Wall.

“Actually, last year we learned of a Ron Forrester,” Cooper said. “ Captain Ronald Forrester was an A-6 Intruder Pilot, who was shot down December the 27th of 72, when his daughter was 2-years-old. She’s been pushing to get her dad’s remains recovered. His crash site was discovered in Fall of 23. She got a phone call the first week of December of 23 that they had a match. They had found… finally found her dad. So 52 years later, she was able to bury her dad at Arlington National Cemetery. That’s why we do it. That’s a personal story of why we do it.”

For more information about Run for the Wall as well as how you can participate you can visit their website.