[May 16, 2013] Motorcyclists ride through MCLB Tweet BARSTOW, May 16, 2013 (Desert Dispatch - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- Scores of motorcyclists zipped through Joseph Boll Avenue at the Marine Corps Logistics Base on Wednesday en route to the Vietnam Memorial in Washington D.C. The "Run for the Wall" riders hope to raise awareness about prisoners of war and those killed or missing in action, according to their road guard and flag leader Bud Phillips. "On the way there, it's a mission. You know We're on a mission. It's not a party," Phillips said. The approximately 150 riders were just a fraction of the 1,000 that left Rancho Cucamonga at 7:45 a.m. Wednesday and will travel more than 3,000 miles in 10 day. They planned to make 395 miles on Wednesday alone. Stops will be made at several VA Hospitals and schools along the way to the nation's capitol, Philips said. Their stop at the MCLB in Barstow is likely the only base the group will pass through, he said. Though military protocol generally limits base access, MCLB spokesman Rob Jackson said it was a unique event that was fully supported by base commander Col. Michael Scalise. "One of the coordinators of the ride approached me about it and I said 'Wow, that's a great idea, why not ' It's a first for us," Jackson said of the ride through. Riders were mostly Vietnam veterans, though some served in Iraq, Afghanistan, Desert Storm, Korea and World War II, according to the official Run for the Wall website. Many dressed in black leather and blue jeans and flew small patriotic flags. Some flew flags honoring those killed in action and those missing in action. Contact the writer: [email protected] or 760-256-4123. ___ (c)2013 the Desert Dispatch (Barstow, Calif.) Visit the Desert Dispatch (Barstow, Calif.) at www.desertdispatch.com Distributed by MCT Information Services [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]