Escort – VN Traveling Wall – Huntington to Charleston – 23 May

The Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall is coming to South Charleston, WV for the Memorial Day weekend. We have been asked to escort it from Huntington, WV to South Charleston on 23 May; we have escorted this wall for the last several years through WV, and we are honored to do it again this year. Last year, we had close to 200 bikes and a Blackhawk helicopter participating in the escort, with many different clubs and groups represented…there are “no borders” for this escort…all are welcome. This escort ride is dedicated to our veterans, and the mission details are annotated below:

Staging location: The WV Welcome Center/Rest Area near milepost 10 on I-64 eastbound. This is in the Huntington, WV area, between exits 8 and 11. It is the rest area directly across the interstate from the Amazon Customer Service Center located on the westbound side of I-64. If coming from the east on I-64, i.e., the Charleston area, you will need get off at Exit 8, turn left & go back over top I-64, then get back on headed eastbound in order to get to the rest area. If coming from the west, i.e., Kentucky area, just stay on I-64 and exit at the first rest area you come to at milepost 10.

Date/time:  23 May 2012 / 1430-1500 (2:30-3:00 pm) with the ride brief beginning no later than 1500. I am planning on arriving at the rest area around 1400, in order to coordinate the parking as bikes arrive. It will make things easier if you plan your arrival at the rest area, for some time after 1400.

Kickstands Up (KSU): 1515 (3:15 pm) We are scheduled to arrive in South Charleston at 1600 (4:00 pm)

Additional Info: We will have law enforcement escort for the entire trip, from Huntington to Oakes Field in South Charleston. If your bike is capable of SAFELY flying a flag at sustained highway speeds, you are invited to do so; NOTE: duct tape, zip-ties, and baling wire will not be accepted as suitable mounts for large flags involved in a 40-mile ride at interstate speeds. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me.

Buddy Palla