West Coast Thunder Rally & Memorial Day
Posted on 29. May, 2009 by Coach in Open Road
Memorial Day is a somber holiday that we reflect and show our appreciation and commitment to the men and women that have and are serving this country, and to the heroes of this country that have laid down their lives that we may continue to have the freedoms that this country was founded on.
It amazes me that when I go to church and the pastor asks the veterans to stand, there are only 7 or 8 of us in the entire congregation. But go to any motorcycle rally and you will find that veterans make up 60%-70% of the group. I suppose it is our independent nature!
And as bikers we celebrate Memorial Day! Rolling Thunder Rally’s take place all around the country, with the largest ending at Arlington National Cemetery. The Run for the Wall is just such a run, starting in California and riding across the country in parade style to Arlington National Cemetery. These hard riders do our veterans proud as they ride through the southern states and stand proudly at Arlington National, representing all of us bikers and veterans.
Unable to make the Run for the Wall, I was yet blessed to be able to participate in a couple of activities in Southern California to honor Memorial Day. It started Friday of Memorial Day weekend. What better way to start the weekend but to first honor the current veterans. We did this by participating in a Navy SEAL graduation, and paying our respects to one of our nations newest elite warriors.
My partner’s nephew graduated from BUD/S class 271, one of only 44 graduates (a large class by normal standards). It was great being able to be back at NSWC in Coronado as we checked out the class plaques on the wall. A quick recon of the area quickly confirmed that although there have been some slight changes, the traditions and systems are still intact as they have been for over 4 decades now.
Watching those fine young combat swimmers stand tall as the SEAL Trident was pinned on their chest brought tears to my eyes. These young men are in for the greatest adventure of their lives, and are an important part of protecting our freedoms. I stand in awe, and I am envious of the path that lies in front of them.
With the graduation complete and congratulations all around, it was a quick ride up the 15 Freeway while we pondered what we had witnessed that day, and the challenges that will be laid at the feet of these new warriors. But this is just the start of the Memorial weekend, and we have a lot more honoring to do.
Monday, Memorial Day. Today is the day that we will bow our heads in silence, and hold in reverence the memories of those brave soles that have gone before us and laid their lives down in the greatest of selfless acts to preserve our freedoms and provide an opportunity for freedom to people around the world.
We are participating in the West Coast Thunder Rally hosted by Skip Fordyce Harley Davidson in Riverside, CA. This is an annual run that starts in Riverside and parades to the Riverside National Cemetery on Van Buren Blvd. Seven bikes rolled past Lake Mathews to our starting point to join nearly 7,000 other riders in this celebration. It is an awesome sight to see when you turn the corner onto Indiana, and see the street blocked off and wall to wall motorcycles across the 6 lanes of Indiana Ave., stretching the length of 4 blocks.
Skip Fordyce Harley Davidson does an awesome job of hosting this event. As does the rest of the organizers and volunteers.
9:11, start time. It started as a low rumble as the bikes at the front, a couple of blocks up from our location, started up. And the rumble began to build as the row after row of Harley’s and metrics began kicking over, until finally the windows of the auto dealers that line the street are all vibrating with the low rumble of 7,000 bikes.
As we pull out of our spot and proceed down Indiana to Arlington, the streets are lined with spectators waving flags and flashing peace signs. Marine flags, old veterans, and you children and their parents are all out on the streets cheering us on as we ride in reverence and pride to the cemetery.
Fatbobs and Sportsters, Street Glides and Ultra’s, Harley’s and Bmw’s, Yamaha’s and Suzuki’s and the like all paraded proudly down the route, many with flags waving proudly in the wind as we rode. The police had all traffic stopped as we paraded down our route while the spectators continued to cheer.
Upon arrival at the Riverside National Cemetery, we found our parking place and marched to the ceremony stage. A series of flyovers by Air Force F-15, Starlifters, and a formation of World War II era aircraft provided us with a first glimpse of the day as the ceremonies unfolded.
Speeches by Congressman Calvert, a host of military officials and representatives, followed the Memorial Roll Call, the reading of over 148,000 names of veterans, heroes and their families interned at Riverside National Cemetery.
Music was provided by the Marine Band, and taps brought all of us to tears. But the toughest part for many of us was the playing of Amazing Grace by the Bag Pipe and Drum Corp. This will tear your heart out and make you proud to be an American at the same time.
At the end of the ceremony, veterans and family members wiped their tears, shook hands with fellow veterans, and proceeded with their business. Like the others there, we walked to the 
Congressional Medal of Honor Memorial site. After paying our respects to our Nations greatest heroes, many of us then went to the graves of family members and friends interned there.
Ceremony complete, Skip Fordyce Harley Davidson hosted the second part of the rally in downtown Riverside. Vendors where there, and everyone had on opportunity to give one last goodbye to friends and fellow veterans before calling it a day.
The ride home was once again full of reflection of the Memorial Weekend we had experienced. Back at the crib awaited tri tip and beers, as we would finish our Memorial traditions. But the memories of our celebrations of new heroes and past veterans and heroes will remain with us until next year when we once again pick up the mantle of Remembrance of our nations veterans and the sacrifices they have made.
Hooyah!
