The annual Run For The Wall motorcycle ride to the Vietnam Memorial in Washington, D.C. rolled into Williams, Arizona May 16.
Robert Maggart
The Run for the Wall began in 1989 when two Vietnam veterans, James Gregory and Bill Evans, rode their bikes across the country talking to local radio stations, newspaper and television stations about the thousands of men and women still unaccounted for from U.S. wars.
The need for this awareness continues today and the group continues this tradition every May. Public awareness is only part of the Run For The Wall. The ride provides all veterans the opportunity to get their own welcome home and start their healing process.
The Run for the Wall crew has been stopping in Williams for years. When I say "crew" I mean it. Some of these folks have been making this ride annually for more than a decade. They know each other.
It's a welcoming bunch.
Tom Schultz
I approached my friend Rodger Ely, a member of the American Legion Cordova Post No. 13 and the VFW Matthew J. Broehm Post 12128, about making some portraits of the Run For The Wall riders. He was enthusiastic about the idea and worked it out so that I could set up a little portrait spot in the Legion Hall.
The riders rolled into town. The block in front of the Legion was filled with bikes. And riders. And veterans from Williams. And community members in support of the cause.
It was beautiful.
The riders eventually lined up and the Williams American Legion treated them to a serious pit barbecue meal. Pulled pork and chicken that roasted all day.
I began making portraits of some of the riders. I asked them to write on my chalk board why they were riding. In one word - or three or four - whatever would fit on the chalkboard. For some this was a difficult task. And rightfully so. I began amending my request to "one reason you're riding."
Here is the really heavy thing.
Everyone I approached for a portrait eventually agreed to sit on my stool and make an image. And once they wrote on the chalkboard they were emotionally connected. And so was I.
I made two images at most of each person. That rarely happens. I shoot many more images in general, depending on time, of a subject. Even in the span of five minutes I can capture 15 frames. But, in this case, I didn't need to.
Everybody locked in on an emotional level. And as a result, these images are beautiful. There is a lot of immediacy here. A sense of purpose and resolve. A certain fragility in some of the images. Courage.
I was overcome with emotion as I interacted with these men and women. Really overwhelmed. But in a good way.
Rebekah Silver
Lionel Namahoe
Some of these folks sacrificed so much for you and me. This is not a political issue. Or at least it shouldn't be. This is a human issue. I'm a liberal kind of guy. I have my opinions about the wars the U.S. government has decided to fight. But, I respect anyone who fights for our country.
Period.
And so should you.
Memorial Day is a few days away. For a long time, I didn't connect with the meaning of the holiday.
I do now.
Take some time this year to remember the folks that have sacrificed so much for you and me. I will.
Kathy Namahoe
Gomez
Deano Pulver