Vietnam Vets’ Cross-Country Trek Designed to Call Attention to MIAs

About 200 Vietnam veterans set off Friday on a nine-day, cross-country trek intended to draw attention to the unknown fate of the thousands of soldiers still listed as missing in action.

Participants believe that their ranks will swell as the convoy of motorcycles, cars and trucks passes through Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, West Virginia, Virginia and into Washington.

Their destination is the Vietnam War Memorial in the nation’s capital, where a rally is scheduled May 28 to demand that the government increase its efforts to aid MIAs who may be prisoners of war.

“Our slogan is, ‘Forget the war, remember the warriors,’ ” said James Gregory, a retired Marine gunnery sergeant who gave up an accounting job to devote time to the protest.

“The plan is to gather people as we cross the country,” Gregory said. “This is not a party. This is a gathering of people concerned about prisoners of war and those listed as missing in action.”

Gregory has named the convoy “Run for the Wall,” a reference to the wall-like memorial in Washington.

Marion Shelton of San Diego, wife of the only man still officially listed as a POW, was on hand as the veterans left San Diego. Air Force Col. Charles Shelton was captured after being shot down over Laos on April 19, 1965.

“The U.S. government could bring out living POWs any day of the week,” Mrs. Shelton said.