The Ride to the Wall

Six years ago we headed for Washington D.C. on our new motorcycle to check out the Rolling Thunder demonstration held at the Vietnam Memorial over Memorial Day weekend. Rolling Thunder started as a demonstration to bring awareness of those Prisoners of War and Missing in Action who have been forgotten. It has evolved into an event that not only reminds us of the POW and MIA, but also honors all of our veterans and their families.

We were not sure what it was all about; and unsure of what time it started, we drove past the Pentagon at six o'clock in the morning. We found ourselves directed into a line of other motorcycles being parked in the north Pentagon parking lot. There, we waited six hours for the ride to start, with no money, no water, and no sunscreen. We wondered what we had gotten into. We were thankful for the Christian Motorcycle Association for handing out water and peanut butter crackers.

The presidential helicopter flew over the parking lot at noon, everyone cheered, and the bikes started up. We hopped on our bike, ready to get this over with. An hour later, we pulled out of the parking lot, behind thousands of bikes that had already gone, and with thousands more waiting. As we went over the bridge into the city, we saw the lone Marine saluting the rifle and boots representing those who had fallen. Scores of families and veterans lined the streets of the city as we roared past. They held flags and signs thanking us for our service.

We have been back every year, with several others added to our ride. We now leave from our home in New Kent on Friday and follow the byways of Virginia to our nation's capital. We enjoy the historical sites and the smells of the road - sweet hay, musty swamps, fragrant honeysuckle, and even an occasional skunk. Our group consists of a Vietnam veteran, family, and many of those who have served our country. It changes from year to year, but we have always ridden with a great group of people.

We have decided that this Ride to the Wall has become a part of our family tradition, and will be continued each year, someday bringing our grandchildren along. Each year we think of better ways to do this, remembering water, sunscreen, and thinking of creative ways to bring food. We visit many of the events occurring over the weekend, and plan to make time for Arlington next year.

Rolling Thunder 2012 - we will see you at the Wall!