The 2024 Congressional Medal of Honor motorcade is on Thursday, April 25, 2024, and the festivities will run through Saturday, April 27th. Every year since 2001, the host city of Gainesville, Texas receives dozens of MOH honorees for three days of gatherings, banquets, special events, and a parade. MOH activities kick off with a motorcade to escort recipients over 65 miles from Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport to Gainesville.
The motorcade is made up of roughly 600 motorcyclists and dozens of state and local agency vehicles. Among them are police, firefighters, EMS, veteran’s organizations, Patriot Guard units, and hundreds of civilian riders. The motorcade stretches over five miles in length, closing Interstate 35 to traffic in places as it passes. Along the route, civic organizations, community groups, and citizens line the freeway and crowd overpasses, holding signs and flags and cheering the procession.
The motorcade includes a wide variety of riders, and about 70 percent of the participants are veterans. Although the key purpose of the escort is to honor the MOH recipients, it’s generally recognized that most of the supporters cheering along the route are there to honor all who have served our country.
“It’s a powerful experience. It’s humbling to be a part of something that recognizes some of America’s true heroes.”
Erika Armentrout, motor officer from Pampa, Texas
I’ve ridden with the MOH escort yearly since 2017, and, indeed, the experience is moving. Rumbling along an otherwise empty three-lane highway in a body of over five hundred bikes is impressive. But that’s only the beginning. Having the chance to talk to dozens of veterans on that tarmac while waiting for the motorcade to begin is an educational and emotional experience all its own. It is equally stirring to see the thousands of Americans who gather to show their appreciation and support for the MOH recipients and veterans in the motorcade.
“Of course we’re primarily here for the MOH heroes, but those people on the overpasses are there to express their patriotism and respect for all who have served. That means a lot, and we’re very appreciative.”
Rick Lossner, Combat Veterans Association member
Two dozen or so attending recipients will be delivered to the initial reception in Gainesville. Honorees are seated at tables where they greet the escort participants, give autographs, and answer questions. Placards detailing their heroic actions adorn the walls, and, for me, that’s when the real significance hits home. These are some of America’s best. Their courage, humility, and humanity are awe-inspiring.
Currently, there are sixty-three living recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor, the highest award bestowed to U.S. military service members for exceptional valor and courage beyond the call of duty. The stories of the current MOH recipients can be found at the “Stories of Sacrifice” website at https://www.cmohs.org/recipients.
Any motorcyclist who wants to participate in the motorcade is welcome, and no application or registration is necessary. Riders will gather at a designated stretch of tarmac (to be announced on the website listed below) on the outskirts of DFW Airport.
Assembly is from noon to 2:00 PM when riders will be organized and receive a safety briefing. Anyone arriving after 2:00 PM will not be allowed to join the escort. The motorcade will deliver the MOH recipients’ bus directly to a banquet in Gainesville where all participants are invited to attend and meet the heroes.
Additional information about the motorcade is available here: https://www.facebook.com/NTxHeroSupport/.
For all MOHHC activities, see https://medalofhonorhostcity.com/.
