Run for the Wall 2011 Final 05/31/2011

What do I tell you about the 3500-mile service ministry of M25?

Well, I decided to give you an overview of so many great things that happened – thank you for supporting us in finances and prayer – and leave the book until Eternity reveals it all. Most of the story lines above have so much more that could be shared. Many have multiple stories that has rocked our world – that has put in us a passion beyond explanation. A commitment that causes us to do this again and again. It is grueling – it is exhausting – it is expensive – it is dangerous BUT it is NOTHING IN COMPARISON TO THE PRICE THOUSANDS HAVE PAID OVER THE YEARS.

Do I tell you about the thousands of bottled water, Gatorade, snacks and fruit handed out from a person smiling and encouraging others?

Do I tell you about hanging out around the Vietnam Memorial Wall and supporting men and women as they weep and face the ‘demons’ of their past?

Do I tell you about the man who struggles from his Sunday School classes that taught ‘thou shalt not kill’ and then be sent off to war? Oh, how the devil still uses distortion of truth to keep people in bondage. Do I tell you of the honor of having him put his arms around me and weep as I simply repeated the powerful word, “Jesus”.

Do I tell you the power of setting in the background and watching for the loner – the one that can’t make it to the wall? Listening intently to his story and helping him find healing?

Do I tell you of the leg I was blessed to ride up front and not have to worry about anyone having a wreck or breakdown, the flood of memories of my cousin and childhood friend that came home physically but never really came home from Vietnam, the friend whose ashes I scattered last year and the one whose medals I wore died from Agent Orange. How the slogan ‘We Ride For Those Who Can’t’ became a reality and how it moved me as I rode in front of the Capitol. Then the sign – ‘My Hero, My Son Erick’ grabbed my heart.

Do I tell you about scattering the ashes of a Vietnam Veteran for his family and the comfort it seemed to bring to them. A man who was awarded 51 decorations for his contribution in Tet Offensive alone during his two tours in Vietnam as a helicopter pilot?

Do I tell you how Burke Lake outreach doubled in their effort to feed and minister love and support to people waiting on Rolling Thunder to come?

Do I tell you about James, a man drunk that stumbled into our campsite 3 years ago at Lake Fairfax and was given a meal, some attention and direction that has been sober for 2 years and is holding down a job and going back to school so he can work in a recovery center?

Do I tell you about the intimate ‘I love you’s’ that was shared as we visit with true American Heroes? How us being there, without a sermon but full of His love to share has meant so much?

Do I tell you how blessed we were to have over a total of 70 people come to serve food in California, Mississippi and Virginia?

Do I tell you how God protected all 55 of our motorcycle riders from M25 and how he used them in such dynamic ways?

Do I tell you how graciously our 5 people who rode in cages (vehicles other than bikes) worked and the impact they made?

Do I tell you how Col Shalom Almog (from Tel Aviv, Israel and who is working with us on Run For The Wall Israel) rocked the crowd in Wytheville, VA when he spoke to a group of warriors present and past about the fact they would fight before they gave up that 8 mile stretch of land – AGAIN.

Do I tell you about the honor, the positive comments and the blessing it was to stand in front of this mighty band of warriors on protest ride across the USA every day and pray over them?

Do we tell the stories of the Missing Man Chaplain’s prayers – well that one is a no-no – way too private!

Do I tell you how God is using M25 to secure the future of this great ride by having over 2/3 of our team in their late 20’s to early 40’s? I was blessed to have one of them join me on the stage each morning and lead us in the pledge.

Do I tell you how moving it was when I placed a shirt at the Vietnam Wall from a young man from S. Carolina came to me after service and said he didn’t have money but would I take his shirt? Many of us signed the shirt and left it.

Do I tell you how our dream of churches thanking the veterans and supporting this protest ride is being fulfilled, seven M25 churches (one small church in Virginia made 1400 PBJ sandwiches and drove up and gave them away) assisted in food, the M25 “Churches in America Thank You For Serving” banner was displayed two times from overpasses and there were other churches doing the same things!

I wish I could capture the emotions of standing at the apex of the “Wall” when the three daughters whose Dads were MIA (only one found). They rode beside us and God honored our efforts to be a little part of their healing. Now, let me ask you – ‘what is two weeks of our time and a few thousand dollars in comparison to a lifetime without your father?’ – THAT IS WHY WE RIDE!

Shepherd, AKA Gary Burd