Rainelle, WV (WOAY) – Hundreds of military veteran motorcyclists are expected in Rainelle Thursday as Run for the Wall makes its annual stop in the Greenbrier County town ahead of Memorial Day.
The ride departs Ontario, California each May with riders bound for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. The cross-country journey honors veterans, prisoners of war, and those missing in action. The central route is expected to reach Rainelle around noon Thursday.
Rainelle Volunteer Fire Department Captain Eddie Midkiff said the town takes the visit seriously.
“To me, they’re not bikers, they’re veterans and I like to address them as veterans. They fought for us, so we need to honor that. That’s what we’re doing, is giving them a welcome in Rainelle,” Midkiff said.
The connection between Run for the Wall and Rainelle dates to 1989, and according to Midkiff, it was unplanned.
“One thing led to another. And when they come off the mountain, all the schoolkids are standing outside waving flags and they thought they were interrupting something in town until they figured out it was for them. Somebody told them it was for them. So they’ve been back 35 more years,” he said.
On Thursday, riders will stage at Rainelle Elementary School, spend time with students, and will usually donate to the school. The Rainelle Volunteer Fire Department will handle traffic, routing cars off Route 60 near the school.
Mayor Andy Pendleton said the visit is one of the most anticipated events of the year for residents.
“The whole town is all excited because it’s one of the biggest things that happened to the town as well. Everybody’s in laughter and joy and hugging and loving each other and appreciation for each other,” Pendleton said.
The Run for the Wall stop is part of Rainelle’s 20th annual West Virginia Veterans Reunion, with events running throughout the weekend leading up to Memorial Day.
A full schedule of events is available at greenbrierwv.com/events/landing-zone-rainelle-wv-veterans-reunion.
