A Day of Remembrance – West Coast Thunder 2011

Posted on 02. Jun, 2011 by Coach in Open Road

The last few years have been tough for our country. But never so tough as for those soldiers that gave their lives for their country and their families. We honor them on Memorial Day in various ways. Some barbeque with friends and families, some enjoy the great outdoors in various ways, our President played golf (shouldn’t he have been at Arlington National Cemetery?). But for nearly 10,000 bikers in Southern California, we attended West Coast Thunder XII, and the ceremonies at the Riverside National Cemetery.

Memorial Day was a beautiful day in Southern California. Promising to be in the ’80s, it was a good day to ride. I saddled up my recently cleaned Harley and rode to Panman’s crib.

With the state of the economy and the war(s) lately, I was curious about how America would celebrate Memorial Day. I guess I should have known that in times of stress, America comes together like no other country.

When I arrived at Panman’s, I was surprised to find 13 other riders there! Our largest group yet. I also knew that there were several riders in my brother’s group that would meet us at Skip Fordyce Harley-Davidson, the starting point for today’s ride to the Riverside National Cemetery (RNC).

I took a position in the back of the pack and enjoyed watching the others ride through the canyon and past Lake Mathews, as the sounds of our Harley’s rolled through the valley. But I remained skeptical about what kind of a turnout today’s ride would have.

As we turned down Indiana Ave, my questions were answered. Wow, I have been making this run for several years now, and this is truly the largest turnout of machines and riders that I have ever seen!

I quickly took my position in the long lines of motorcycles that spanned 6 rows across the width of the 4 lane road, and was over 4 commercial blocks long. It was over an hour before the start of the parade at 9:11, and still I was easily nearly a mile away from the Skip Fordyce Harley-Davidson.

I worked my way up and caught the Honor Guard performing their Honor Ceremony. This ceremony put on by these patriots brings a tear to my eyes every year, and completes the emotion with the playing of Taps. Thank you ladies and gentlemen, I truly appreciate the work you have put into your presentation of Honor.

A quick visit to the Harley dealer, and I was then making my way back along the throng of bikers and their beautiful machines.

Although Skip Fordyce Harley-Davidson is the main sponsor/promoter of this event, the proceeds go the the RNC for the building of the Memorials there. Through the years, the money raised at West Coast Thunder have built the POW/MIA Memorial, and the shelter that the ceremonies are held at every year. This year the proceeds of this run will go for the building of the Viet Nam Memorial Wall. I am honored to participate in this worthy cause.

At 9:08, engines at the front of the parade began to fire up. The loud roar continued to grow in crescendo as more and more bikes started up in preparation of the parade. You could actually feel the pavement under your feet vibrate!

The ride to the Riverside National Cemetery isn’t very long, but the streets are all blocked off by the local police department (thanks, guys), and the streets are lined with parade watchers waving signs and flags, and loudly clapping as we rode by. The anticipation of the ceremonies to come begin to build in your stomach before you ever enter the RNC.

For those that choose, there is a continuation of the run to the Soboba Casinos. There Aaron Lewis and the Marshal Tucker Band would be performing. The activities at the Soboba Casino were sponsored by Stater Brothers, amongst others.

This is the second year that activities were being held at the Soboba Casino, and I again wondered how many would choose to forgo the RNC in favor of the live music at the Soboba. But as we wound our way through the cemetery, that question was quickly laid aside. The crowds paying honor to America’s fallen and their families was huge! The area that the ceremonies are held by the Riverside National Cemetery is good sized, and still you could not get near it for the large throngs of people.

It no longer surprises me that no matter were I go, the largest collection of veterans ever assembled is at a biker rally. It seems that more veterans ride Harley’s than don’t. As I walked among the many bikers paying tribute that day, I noticed the many cuts covered with patches that displayed their own stories of service. Veterans of Foreign Wars, Leatherneck Riders, others proudly displaying the patches of the branches they served, and many other bike clubs and associations. And of course my brothers and sisters in the Patriot Guard were well represented, and received honors for their tireless service to the RNC and other cemeteries around the country.

The ceremonies were topped off with the playing of Taps, and a fly over by a C-117 cargo jet, as well as numerous high speed turns by F-18′s. If you have never attended a West Coast Thunder, or a Memorial Day ceremony at the Riverside National Cemetery, I encourage you to do so, or at least check out the many videos about it on youtube.

Tears wiped from my eyes, hugs from my brothers and thanks for our service all around, it was time for me to my the second part of my journey to the Soboba Casino and catch the rest of the activities.

The ride to Soboba is actually a pretty nice ride. Soboba Road is a nice road that winds softly alongside the San Jacinto hills. The casino is well placed, with lots of parking. Today, that parking was mostly filled with the shining chrome of Harleys.

The stadium that housed the concert was covered in a large red, white and blue flag awning, making the stadium seating quite comfortable. People were dancing in the aisles and having a great time when I finally showed up. And once Aaron Lewis had finished his act, the West Coast Thunder Honor Guard once again performed their ceremony. Wow, these guys get better every time I see them!

The Marshall Tucker Band put on a great concert, singing many of their great songs like “Take the Highway” and “Searchin’ for a Rainbow”. And the crowd was delighted when Doug Gray and Toy Caldwell performed “Bob Away My Blues”. It was great music for a fantastic Memorial Day.

The ride home gave me plenty of time to reflect back on my past service, and the brothers I served with. And as I reflected on the day’s ceremonies, I was filled with pride at the way we Americans, this nation that rides, comes together even in tough times to pay homage to those that gave their lives in defense of our freedom.

God Bless America!