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Rod Bartunek, 1978 Avon graduate, will participate in the 2025 Run For The Wall’s annual ride. Run For the Wall is the “largest and longest organized cross-country motorcycle run of its kind in the world.” This ride was established to honor Veterans and their families and friends with the purpose to raise awareness of those still missing, whether they are Prisoners Of War (POW)s or Missing In Action (MIA). The ride begins in Ontario, CA and ends ten days later at the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington D.C. There are three routes (Central, Midway, and Southern) that can be taken by the riders, all that begin in Ontario, CA. Riders can register to join “The Run” at different points along the way if they do not or cannot ride the entire route. The Run will begin on May 13th or 14th depending on which route they choose with all of the riders arriving at the Vietnam Memorial Wall on May 23rd. With the ride to begin a little over a month from now, there are already over 1,000 riders registered. “It is my honor to remember those who have served and sacrificed their lives for our freedom. I ride for those who can’t,” stated Bartunek. He has known about the ride for several years, but now that he has retired wanted to take part in the ride. With Bartunek currently living in Seattle, WA, he will begin his journey to the start of “The Run” at Ontario on May 7th. Bartunek comes from a long line of service men and women. His grandfather served in the Army in WWII, his father served in in the Army in Korea and his sister, her husband, and their daughters were/are members of the Air Force. Growing up in Avon, the Avon American Legion members were active in the community. They would walk in the parade, attend events, and the Legion Hall was an epicenter of community activity. Bartunek can remember selling poppies and placing poppies on crosses at the cemetery as a child. In addition to being a rider, Bartunek has a special project that he would like to do before the ride actually begins. He wants to collect pictures of current and past service men and women and carry them with him for the duration of the 9,000-mile ride to honor them, their service,and their sacrifices. Bartunek wanted to reach out to the Avon and surrounding communities if anyone would like to submit a picture to him to be carried with him as he starts and completes the journey. He is doing this as he wants to show appreciation for those who have served as he remembers many of his classmates, parents of friends and community members who served. If anyone would be interested in taking part in this project themselves, or on behalf of current military members, Veterans or those who have served but are no longer with us, non-original photos can be sent to Alyssa Mathis, at the email lys432001@yahoo.com, or phone at 605-491-2331. They can be pictures of pictures. The deadline to submit a photo is Wednesday, April 30th. Submissions will then be sent to Rod Bartunek so that he can have them printed (if sent digitally) and prepare them for their journey alongside of him in the Ride For The Wall. He is also willing if anyone is interested to leave something small at the wall in a fallen soldier’s honor and or to scratch a name on special provided paper for a lost friend or loved one listed on The Wall. Please send those requests also to the above contact information. This year is also a very special year as it is part of the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War. For more information about the Ride for the Wall, visit www.rftw.org