BLUE SPRINGS, Mo. – The Patriot Guard Riders, motorcyclists from across the country who support, honor and protect veterans and their families, will escort The Wall That Heals through Blue Springs to Pink Hill Park on Tuesday, September 28.
The motorcade will meet The Wall That Heals in Concordia, Missouri and travel East on I-70 to Adams Dairy Parkway. The escort schedule is as follows:
12:30 p.m. Patriot Guard begins escort of The Wall from Concordia, Mo. to Blue Springs, Mo.
1:15 p.m. The Wall arrives in Blue Springs traveling south on Adams Dairy Parkway
1:25 p.m. The Wall turns onto 40 Highway heading west
1:35 p.m. The Wall turns onto 7 Highway heading north
1:45 p.m. The Wall arrives at Pink Hill Park, 2715 Park Road, Blue Springs, Missouri
“We are honored to escort The Wall That Heals from Concordia to Blue Springs,” said Dave Miller, Patriot Guard Ride Captain of Greater Kansas City. “Most of us know someone whose name is on the wall or served in Vietnam. We are doing this out of respect because when they came back from Vietnam, they didn’t get the respect they deserved.” Miller said.
“If the weather is right, we expect to have over 500 riders on this escort,” said Dave Miller, Patriot Guard Ride Captain. “The enthusiasm for the upcoming escort shows that people really do care about and appreciate the service of our Vietnam Veterans.”
The Jackson County Sherriff’s officers will lead the Patriot Guard and 65-foot-long trailer that carries The Wall from Concordia to Blue Springs. Blue Springs Police will meet up with the escort when it arrives at Adams Dairy Parkway and take over leading the motorcade through Blue Springs. The escort will drive under a raised flag provided by Central Jackson County Fire Protection District welcoming The Wall to the assembly site in Pink Hill Park.
“This wall means a lot of things to a lot of people,” said Blue Springs Police Chief McCoy. “We are very fortunate to have it in Blue Springs for a short time so we are going to make sure everything is well coordinated.”
Multiple agencies will be assisting this escort including: Missouri Department of Transportation, Laffayette County, Jackson County, The City of Concordia, The City Blue Springs, Central Jackson County Fire Protection District, The City of Lake Tapawingo, The City of Lake Lottawana, The City of Grain Valley, The City of Independence and the City of Lee’s Summit.
Traffic along the escort route is expected to be impacted for anywhere from 30-40 minutes. The public is encouraged to line the streets to wave the American flag as the wall passes by.
“It’s going to be quite a sight to see,” says Eleanor Frasier, chairman of The Wall That Heals – Blue Springs Executive Board. “We are honored that the Patriot Guard Riders are helping us welcome The Wall That Heals into Blue Springs. We invite all Vietnam War veterans to come see The Wall That Heals in Blue Springs, and all parents and children to participate in the events to learn about this important time in America’s history.”
The wall, a half-scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., has the names of 58,000 soldiers who were killed or missing in the war. It will be on display around the clock in Pink Hill Park, 2715 Park Hill Road, Missouri from Thursday, September 30 through Sunday, October 3. Opening ceremonies are scheduled for 6:55 a.m. Thursday, September 30.
The Patriot Guard was formed five years ago to recognize and honor the sacrifices of fallen service members. Their support extends to deployment ceremonies, welcome home celebrations, volunteer work for veterans’ organizations, and raising money for families with medical, travel and housing needs.
For more information on The Wall That Heals, contact Kim Nakahodo, Communications Manager at (816) 655-0497, visit the Web site, www.bluespringswallthatheals.net or Wall That Heals Blue Springs on Facebook.
For more information about the Patriot Guard Riders, contact Dave Miller, Patriot Guard Riders Ride Captain of Greater Kansas City at millerdave5823@yahoo.com.
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