Rolling Thunder

Rode today in the Rolling Thunder Ride to the Wall. It was my third time, but my first to actually participate in the massive run rather than just watching. Local and state cops shut down several major freeways as everyone pulled out of a local Harley dealer this morning. Our procession was at least three miles long, and loud. People lined the overpasses waving flags. We rode to the Pentagon, and the estimates I heard were that 250,000 motorcycles filled the parking lots. At noon, the parade to the Vietnam Memorial started, and it was 2:15 by the time my section of the parking lot began to roll. Many bikers skipped the parade, instead lining the streets of D.C. waving and saluting. As we rode into Washington, a Marine in dress blues stood at attention in the middle of the road, saluting a helmet and rifle arranged to represent the grave of a fallen soldier. It made me tear up inside my helmet.

Truly an impressive day. There are estimates of 500,000+ motorcycles in town this weekend. I saw one XJ, a 700, besides my own.

Regards, and thanks to all our vets.

Furyus

 

Awesome story!


Glad you could be a part of something like that.

I dont mind running with a small pack but would get a tad bit nervous in a very large group...

 

?
What is memorial day? Is it the same as our remembrance sunday when we remember our war dead.

Faighaigh.

 

Aye, it is similar. Odd, but the old rememberance day was the 11th month on the 11th day at the 11th hour for 11 minutes. We call it Labor day nowadays. I'm not convinced it was the right move given the sacrifices made in the Great War. I think we should have it the other way 'round. Memorial day should be in November and Labor day should be in May. I guess the government doesn't want Labor day anywhere near May giving its socialist associations. I don't think it would do any harm to recognize the working man at the beginning of the summer season. Give them a good shot in the arm for the hot days ahead.

 

It was awesome in the true sense of the word to ride in such a large group. The traffic jams we created were massive, too. Law enforcement was wonderful; they just stopped everyone and everything to let all the bikes run unmolested.

Yes, indeed our Memorial day is dedicated to honoring those who sacrificed themselves to protect our way of life. Rolling Thunder is an annual reminder that there are thousands still missing from Vietnam, as well as other wars.

I swiped these pics from www.grunt.com

The first is of the Pentagon parking lot, and it still doesn't do the event justice. Imagine all of those bikes leaving one after the other, and add another couple hundred thousand along the route.

The second is of a Marine saluting in the middle of the road as the bikes file past. This guy saluted for three hours plus, non-stop. Absolutely amazing. Semper Fi!

By the way, these pics are of the 2002 and 2003 rallies.

Regards,
Furyus

 

Actually, Robert, November 11 is still Veteran's Day. Labor Day is the first weekend in September.

Regards,
Furyus

 

I have a cousin who is remembered on that long black wall of yours.

Something that amazed me when I went to the states was the stars and stripes seemed to be hung out everywhere, home shops and offices.

Faighaigh.

 

Guess you now know I live in a hole in the ground. Thanks for the reminder Furyus, I'm a little confuseled. Duhhhh. Well, let it be said that I feel that we should remember our veterans (world over) everyday. Most fought for truth as they saw it or at least their understanding of it. I'm hopeful that some day, no mother's son or daughter has to engage in conflict of any sort. Yes, I know freedom isn't free but the price is high and painful.

 

Figured this was fitting for today

SGT Andrew P Schmidt
U.S. Corps of Engineers
1996-2004

 

Good lord, that's cool. Good on you.