-by: DeAngela McDougald

“Run for the Wall” made it’s way through Junction City this evening in a patriotic, and emotional tribute to America’s veterans.

Nearly 350 motorcyclists arrived in town shortly before 5:00 p.m. and a ceremony in Heritage Park at the Veterans Memorial followed.

Event emcee Phyllis Fitzgerald reminded the crowd that that “many [veterans] did not make it back home, and those we will never forget and we will always honor them for their sacrifices for us.”

The tone of the evening was very much in tune with Fitzgerald’s remembrance of those who “sacrificed” for us.

Guest speaker and Medal of Honor recipient Retired Colonel Donald E. Ballard said, “I’m of the belief that the military is a family owned business. We pass it down from generation to generation and we’re influenced to join because of [our] parents, [our] grandparents – because somebody in [our] family told us you can’t live here for free…and if you can’t serve the military, serve the community.”

Also among the speakers at the event was Senator Jerry Moran. Moran gave an impassioned speech in which he shared his experiences growing up in a post-Vietnam War era and his father’s contributions in the military.

Moran closed his moving speech with this, “The message from the people of Kansas to the riders, to all of you who have served our country, to the folks in Fort Riley who serve our country today here and around the globe is this:  we thank you, we respect you, and we love you.”