West Coast Thunder Undone (updated)
Posted on 23. Mar, 2010 by admin in Open Road
I suppose it should hardly come as a surprise. Take a look around, and you see a country on it’s ear, struggling to find a new identity. Politicians and Hollywood seem to be the new self-ordained royalty, while we idly sit by and let it happen. Our voices are no longer heard by our representatives, and the country seems to be deeply divided between those that demand freebies from an over-sized government, and those that desire to be independent and self-reliant.
I normally try to keep politics out of this website, but this latest volley across our bow has me more than a little irritated and disappointed.
The one single issue that I believe that we should all have in common is our deep respect and appreciation for our fighting men and women in uniform. They do not make policy, they do not ask for war, but they proudly serve their country and follow it’s directions… regardless of how insane those orders may be.
On Memorial Day, the country comes together in a day of remembrance to honor those servicemen that have made the ultimate sacrifice for their country and gave their lives, always putting the mission ahead of their own safety. This is, and should be, the most solemn day of the year for our country.
Every year I, like thousands of other bikers, attend the West Coast Thunder Rally hosted by Skip Fordyce Harley-Davidson in Riverside, California. The Fordyce family have always been great supporters of the American Military, and especially veterans. At this writing, I do not believe that has changed. But something has.
In recent years, the West Coast Thunder Rally has been an exemplary ride from Skip Fordyce Harley-Davidson to the Riverside National Cemetery. The rides attracts thousands of bikers. We are escorted by local police through town in a huge parade while our neighbors all stand on the curbs waving flags, and occasionally salutes.
The parade winds through a section of Riverside for the short jaunt to the cemetery, where a number of presentations are made by dignitaries, politicians, and a military band. This all culminates with the final prayers and the playing of Taps and of course the bagpipes playing of Amazing Grace (this always brings a tear to my eye).
I received the email from Skip Fordyce Harley-Davidson that registration for this years West Coast Thunder was now open. No time to waste, I have to register now. But when I got to the website, my jaw dropped and I fell into disbelief. The ride was changed, and we are now going to the Soboba Casinos to listen to a band play in the amphitheater.
Hmm, they must be going there after the ceremony at the Riverside National Cemetery. I will just reread this, and… Hey, they aren’t going to the cemetery at all! What the …!!! Something is terribly wrong, and this just ain’t right!
I right away started making some calls. As I said earlier, the Fordyce family has always been big supporters of our military, but this is an egregious act against all those who hold dear our remembrance of our fallen heroes.
Turns out, the liberal politician types of Riverside has once again pulled the rugs out from under us. The board at the Riverside National Cemetery have decided that they no longer wish to have the large crowds of bikers at their cemetery. Additionally, the city of Riverside no longer wishes to have the after ceremony party held on the streets of their city.
I have not yet decided whether or not to attend the ride that Skip Fordyce Harley-Davidson is putting on. This is sad, because I do truly try to support my local Harley-Davidson dealer. I know I will definitely ride to the Riverside National Cemetery and pay my respects, even without the ceremony. I imagine many others will as well.
Harley riders are a large and proud group. And a very large number of them are veterans, and proud! But once again, our voices are not being heard. But there are three simple words emblazoned upon the souls of veterans that our politicians need to learn, and learn fast. Honor, Respect, Remember.
This is indeed a sad commentary on our misplaced priorities, and the deteriorating state of our country.
UPDATE: I received the following note from Jim Ruester of the Riverside National Cemetery. I felt it was important enough to not only post his comment, but to update this story with his comments.
“Firstly, we’d like to thank the West Coast Thunder for the years of participation in the Riverside National Cemetery Memorial Day observance.
“At the time that we learned of the decision to change the destination of the West Coast Thunder run, we were preparing a new parking plan to accomodate the anticipated increase in the number of motorcylces for this year’s West Coast Thunder arrival. In the meantime, we are continuing to develop our Memorial Day program for this year.
“Patriotic music will be provided by the band of the 1st Marine Division and the choir from the Cross Word Christian Church. Honors will be rendered by the U.S. Air Force and the California National Guard. Although they have yet to confirm, we have invited a canon crew from the U.S. Army to participate, as well as a flyover by the U.S. Air Force.
“Our keynote speaker will be the Acting Under Secretary for Mortuary Affairs Steve Muro. Not only is Mr. Muro in charge of all 133 national cemeteries across the country, he has worked at RNC twice in his career. We look forward to welcoming him back.
“The Patriot Guard Riders, who participate in a number of services every week at RNC, are organizing a motorcycle run that will begin at the old commissary at March Air Reserve Base and end at RNC to kickoff this year’s Memorial Day ceremony.
“During the week leading up to Memorial Day, we will add to the Roll Call Project, which we started last year, by reading the names of the estimated 6,000 veterans who have been interred here since June 1, 2009.
“On behalf of the staff of Riverside National Cemetery, of which more than 65 members are veterans working everyday for their fellow veterans, I extend the invitation to you and your fellow riders, veterans and member of the public, to participate in the Roll Call Project, the Memorial Day ceremony and the run from March to RNC.”
Thank you, Jim. I for one appreciate you shedding some light on this matter, and look forward to joining you and your staff this Memorial Day at the Riverside National Cemetery.
10 Responses to “West Coast Thunder Undone (updated)”
Leave a Reply
Ken
23. Mar, 2010
Thanks for taking the time to express what many of us are thinking. Thanks, ride safe!
Ken Phoenix AZ
Jim Ruester, RNC PAO
24. Mar, 2010
Firstly, we’d like to thank the West Coast Thunder for the years of participation in the Riverside National Cemetery Memorial Day observance.
At the time that we learned of the decision to change the destination of the West Coast Thunder run, we were preparing a new parking plan to accomodate the anticipated increase in the number of motorcylces for this year’s West Coast Thunder arrival. In the meantime, we are continuing to develop our Memorial Day program for this year.
Patriotic music will be provided by the band of the 1st Marine Division and the choir from the Cross Word Christian Church. Honors will be rendered by the U.S. Air Force and the California National Guard. Although they have yet to confirm, we have invited a canon crew from the U.S. Army to participate, as well as a flyover by the U.S. Air Force.
Our keynote speaker will be the Acting Under Secretary for Mortuary Affairs Steve Muro. Not only is Mr. Muro in charge of all 133 national cemeteries across the country, he has worked at RNC twice in his career. We look forward to welcoming him back.
The Patriot Guard Riders, who participate in a number of services every week at RNC, are organizing a motorcycle run that will begin at the old commissary at March Air Reserve Base and end at RNC to kickoff this year’s Memorial Day ceremony.
During the week leading up to Memorial Day, we will add to the Roll Call Project, which we started last year, by reading the names of the estimated 6,000 veterans who have been interred here since June 1, 2009.
On behalf of the staff of Riverside National Cemetery, of which more than 65 members are veterans working everyday for their fellow veterans, I extend the invitation to you and your fellow riders, veterans and member of the public, to participate in the Roll Call Project, the Memorial Day ceremony and the run from March to RNC.
admin
24. Mar, 2010
Thank you, Jim. Your reply sheds a lot of light on what is happening to this run. I look forward to spending this Memorial Day at the Riverside National Cemetery, as do many other riders I have spoken to. We greatly appreciate all that you and your staff have done over the years to honor our fallen and family members, and the great Memorial Day presentation you have provided over the years.
Buddy
27. Mar, 2010
I am a member of the PGR and i have been told by some involved with West Coast Thunder that RNC will does not want any bikers in the cemtery this year so they were forced to relocate the ride to a casino please shed some truth on this matter
admin
27. Mar, 2010
I believe that the letter received by Jim Ruester of the Riverside National Cemetery explains it all, and is attached as an update to the story. Apparently, it was a deal between Skip Fordyce Harley-Davidson and the Soboba Casinos that killed the ride to the Riverside National Cemetery. The Riverside National Cemetery is still holding the ceremonies and proudly welcomes all of us on Memorial Day. I hope to see you there.
Robert
09. May, 2010
West Coast Thunder has been such a successful event, why is the Indian casino getting involved. If they want to be involved they can make a donation to the cemetery support committee. It is my view that the casino want to exploit the event so they can make money off the participants. This change is a disgrace to our vets. Skip Fordyce and the cemetery should distance itself from the Casino.
Paul
10. May, 2010
The following comment is from the website of West Coast Thunder. (http://www.westcoastthunder.com/ride_info.html)
“For riders that wish to go the Riverside National Cemetery, there will be an escorted, closed parade route exactly the same as year’s past. This parade will leave at 9:11 am.”
The above comment is perfectly understandable to me.
Beyond the Memorial Day Ceremonies the current administration at Riverside National Cemetery has taken the position to shove a group of patriots out the back gate… hence the courting of other outside groups.
Our CRIME… when the director said that “No one is allowed to put an american flag on any graves of Veterans” and followed it up in writing… the Riverside National Cemetery Support Committee stood up and said “just watch us.” The bureaucrats didn’t like the fact that we stood for the American flag and the honor of our Veterans.
President Bush was asked in writing “what do we tell the widow of a young soldier who gave their life in Iraq, defending our Freedom, why she can’t put an American flag on the grave of her husband”?
I guess we got the bureaucrats attention over the flag, their continual complaints about traffic, the sounds of the bikes and parking of the 6000+ motorcycles … along with the bureaucrats treatment of widows (Karen Black) and loved ones of our ex Prisoners of War…. that is our bitch.
Fact of life: if you want to ride to Riverside National Cemetery on Memorial Day then do it… if you want to ride to the Casino or go to a Memorial Day Sale… the Freedom is yours… “PAID FOR BY A VET”….
The unconditional gift of proceeds from over 10 years of West Coast Thunder & Skip Fordyce built the National POW/MIA Memorial and put over $170,000 into a fund to build the Vietnam Memorial at Riverside National Cemetery.
The Skip Fordyce family and West Coast Thunder family has done more (AND longer) to honor our Veterans and bring attention to the Memorial Day Ceremonies than anyone commenting here including the RNC Public Relations man Jim Reuster.
I am riding with West Coast Thunder to Riverside National Cemetery on Memorial Day May 31, 2010.
Paul Adkins, Proud Veteran and Proud Volunteer, Riverside National Cemetery Support Committee
Steve
10. May, 2010
Admin., for your information, Riverside National Cemetery Staff has not been involved in past Memorial Day Ceremonies at RNC except for the last 2 years. The Riverside National Cemetery Support Committee planned and paid for all the past Memorial Day Ceremonies. The staff at RNC kicked the Support Committee out of the Memorial Day Cermony 2 years ago, deciding to do the ceremony themselves. So now it looks like the Staff at RNC is kicking the m/c Riders out too. Who will be next the Veterans?
John
11. May, 2010
So now it is May and it appears that no one has taken any time to update the true information about the ride. We are going to the cemetary…what about it ADMIN??
admin
11. May, 2010
The final story is in the article “West Coast Thunder – Your Voices Heard”. Skip Fordyce Harley-Davidson will escort those of us (that includes me) that wish to go to the cemetery at 9:11 AM as in the prior years. Those that wish to go to the casino will be escorted some 45 minutes later. Skip Fordyce has invited those of us that go to the cemetery to pay our respects to then proceed to the casino for the activities. There will be no escort from the cemetery to the casino.