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Veteran motorcyclists riding in formation toward Washington, DC at sunrise
An Operation Restoring Veteran Hope event

First Annual
Ride to
the Wall

An 11-day round-trip motorcycle journey from Glendale, Arizona, to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C.—four riding days to reach the capital, three days honoring service and sacrifice, and four riding days home to Arizona.

Event organizersVeterans Ride OrganizationOperation Restoring Veteran Hope ↗
Starting pointGlendale, Arizona
DestinationWashington, DC
Round-trip distanceAbout 4,740 miles
Event datesSeptember 18–28, 2027
Complete journey

11–14 Day Ride Overview

A four-day motorcycle journey from Glendale, Arizona, to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial begins this approximately 11-to-14-day cross-country mission—riding together to honor service, sacrifice, and the names that must never be forgotten. After arriving in Washington, D.C., the group will spend three days visiting the Wall and other meaningful locations in the nation’s capital before completing the return trip to Arizona over four additional riding days.

Up to three contingency days may be included for rest, weather delays, motorcycle maintenance, road conditions, or other unforeseen circumstances. This schedule allows the group to travel safely, remain organized, and properly honor the purpose of the journey without rushing the experience.

4Days outboundGlendale, Arizona to Washington, D.C.
3Days in WashingtonThe Wall and other meaningful locations.
4Days returningWashington, D.C. back to Arizona.
+3Contingency daysRest, weather, maintenance, or road delays.
More than a date

Why September?

In veteran and military advocacy communities, September 22 is observed as Veteran Suicide Awareness Day and is often known as “22 A Day” Awareness Day. The date calls attention to military mental health, suicide prevention, and the importance of standing beside veterans who may be struggling.

The ride’s first full day in Washington, D.C. falls on September 22, giving the journey an added purpose: honor those we have lost, strengthen connection, encourage veterans to seek support, and remind every veteran that they are not alone.

The number 22 comes from a widely cited historical estimate and remains a powerful awareness symbol; it should not be read as a current fixed daily count.

Every veteran. Every mile. Every life matters.

Ride command

Live Rider Tracking

Registered riders can share their location from their phone browser. Organizers and registered riders can view the ride group; approved family members can view only their assigned rider.

Tracker online
Riders

Start or stop location sharing after signing in with the event code and personal PIN.

Ride group

See reporting riders on the live map with their latest update time and speed.

Family access

Approved family members see only the rider assigned to them by an organizer.

Open the secure live mapThe tracker opens as a dedicated website optimized for phones.
Launch live tracking

Rider safety: Start location sharing before moving and stop only after parking. Never operate the website while riding. Browser tracking cannot continue after the tracking page is closed.

Mark the date

Coming Events

Countdown to the retreatSeptember 25, 2026Three-day retreat at St. Joseph's Youth Camp in Mormon Lake, Arizona
Flyer for the Ninth Annual Veterans Healing Retreat, September 25 through 27, 2026 at St. Joseph's Youth Camp in Mormon Lake, Arizona
Free event for veterans

9th Annual Veterans Healing Retreat

It is that time of year as we prepare for our 9th Annual Veterans Healing Retreat. If you are a Veteran and interested in attending this FREE event, please use the registration link below. Transportation is provided.

Once you choose HOPE, anything is possible….

September 25–27, 2026Mormon Lake, ArizonaTransportation providedKayaking, volleyball, horseback riding & more

Questions: orvhsocal@gmail.com · Instagram: @operationrestoringveteranhope

Countdown to departureSeptember 18, 2027Starts at midnight in Glendale, Arizona
SEP 18–282027

First Annual Ride to the Wall

An 11-day round-trip motorcycle journey from Glendale, Arizona to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, DC, and back home. The plan includes four riding days to Washington, three days honoring the memorials and four riding days returning to Arizona.

11 days total8 riding days3 memorial daysAbout 4,740 miles round tripFuel legs up to 130 miles
View event route
One mission · Every generation

Honoring Those Who Served

Veterans Ride Organization proudly recognizes the service and sacrifice of veterans from five branches of the United States Armed Forces.

United States Army service mark
United States Army
United States Marine Corps emblem
United States Marine Corps
United States Navy emblem
United States Navy
United States Air Force service mark
United States Air Force
United States Coast Guard emblem
United States Coast Guard

Service marks are displayed for identification and tribute. Veterans Ride Organization is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Department of Defense or any military service branch.

The mission

Veterans riding with purpose

Veterans Ride Organization brings riders together for a demanding cross-country mission of remembrance. Every mile represents commitment. Every stop reinforces brotherhood. The destination is the Wall.

Honor

Carry the memory of those whose names are written on the Wall.

Brotherhood

Move as one team, look after one another, and leave no rider behind.

Purpose

Turn a cross-country ride into a visible act of remembrance.

Four-day outbound command route

Glendale to Washington

The fastest practical corridor follows I-17, I-40, I-44, I-70, the Pennsylvania Turnpike, and I-270. Fuel legs are planned at no more than 130 miles.

Swipe the map to view route details →

Four-day route from Glendale to Washington, DCFour colored route stages with overnight stops in Santa Rosa, Joplin, and Indianapolis. Glendale, AZSTARTSanta Rosa, NMNIGHT 1Joplin, MONIGHT 2Indianapolis, INNIGHT 3Washington, DCTHE WALL
Day 1 · September 18, 2027

Glendale → Santa Rosa

594 mi

I-17 north to I-40 east. Overnight in Santa Rosa, New Mexico.

Day 2 · September 19, 2027

Santa Rosa → Joplin

667 mi

I-40 through Texas and Oklahoma, then I-44 to Joplin, Missouri.

Day 3 · September 20, 2027

Joplin → Indianapolis

565 mi

I-44 through St. Louis, then I-70 east to Indianapolis.

Day 4 · September 21, 2027

Indianapolis → The Wall

654 mi

I-70, PA Turnpike, I-70 and I-270 into Washington, DC.

Four-day return command route

Washington to Glendale

The return follows I-66 west, I-81 south, I-40 west and I-17 south, with overnight stops in Nashville, Oklahoma City and Albuquerque. Fuel legs remain at approximately 130 miles or less.

Swipe the return map to view route details →

Four-day return route from Washington, DC to Glendale, ArizonaFour colored route stages with overnight stops in Nashville, Oklahoma City and Albuquerque. Washington, DCDEPART THE WALLNashville, TNNIGHT 1Oklahoma City, OKNIGHT 2Albuquerque, NMNIGHT 3Glendale, AZRIDE COMPLETE
Day 8 · September 25, 2027

Washington → Nashville

670 mi

I-66 west, I-81 south and I-40 west to Nashville, Tennessee.

Day 9 · September 26, 2027

Nashville → Oklahoma City

680 mi

I-40 west through Memphis, Little Rock and Fort Smith.

Day 10 · September 27, 2027

Oklahoma City → Albuquerque

545 mi

I-40 west through Amarillo, Tucumcari and Santa Rosa.

Day 11 · September 28, 2027

Albuquerque → Glendale

465 mi

I-40 west through Gallup and Flagstaff, then I-17 south to Glendale.

Fuel and roadside support

Built around the motorcycles

The route is organized around dependable interstate fuel access and Harley-Davidson dealerships positioned close to the corridor.

≤130

Miles between fuel stops

Projected stops favor recognizable travel centers near interstate exits. The detailed map identifies the company, city, and estimated distance for each leg.

Love’sPilot/Flying JMaverikLittle AmericaSheetz/QT/Circle K
18

Harley-Davidson dealers

Orange-and-black dealer markers identify support options near the route from Arizona to the Washington, DC area.

  • Parts and service options along the corridor
  • City and highway proximity shown on the route map
  • Call ahead to confirm hours and service availability

Dealer markers appear as orange-and-black diamonds.

Ride readiness

Motorcycle pre-ride bike checklist

Complete this inspection before departure. Tap each box as you check the motorcycle, or print a clean copy for your ride group.

1. Tires and wheels
2. Brakes
3. Controls
4. Fluids
5. Everything else
If anything is loose, damaged, leaking, or outside specification, correct it before riding. Use the motorcycle owner’s manual for model-specific requirements.

Four days. One mission. Never forget.

Veterans Ride Organization is preparing a cross-country ride to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, departing Glendale, Arizona on September 18, 2027 and arriving at the Wall on September 21, 2027. Participation details will be announced.