A Major Stop for Run for the Wall

From press release:

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – A key micropolitan in the Upper Cumberland, Cookeville will soon play host on the Run For the Wall’s Midway Route, welcoming over 400 riders as they continue their treck to Washington, D.C.

Escorted by the Tennessee Highway Patrol, Putnam County Sheriff’s Department, and the Cookeville Police Department, the group of riders will arrive to Cookeville, Monday, May 23 at approximately 4:30 p.m. CT, parading down Jefferson Avenue, welcomed by waving American flags and the smiling faces of locals.

With a tagline of “Riding For Those Who Can’t,” the cross-country event has a mission to call attention to prisoners-of-war and those missing-in-action, to honor those killed-in-action from all wars; and to support all United States military personnel around the globe.

The 10-day journey beginning in Los Angeles, California and ending on Memorial Day in Washington, DC at the Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial Wall and Arlington National Cemetery is both emotionally and physically demanding.

In addition to drawing awareness for POWs, MIAs, and KIAs, RFTW seeks opportunities along the route to educate future generations and serves as emotional healing for veterans riding the route and those encountered along the way suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, especially those from the Vietnam era.

The Cookeville-Putnam County Visitors’ Bureau, city and county officials, local veterans’ service organizations, LifeChurch and Sam’s Club join area residents

and businesses to provide the welcome that many of the riders never received when returning home from war.

Following their parade, riders will attend a private dinner and meeting at the Leslie Town Centre, along with a live performance from Hershel Meadows, a virtual performance by Dailey & Vincent and a special message from Governor Bill Lee and Tennessee’s Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Tourism Development, Mark Ezell before retiring to area hotels.