West Coast Thunder – Your Voices Have Been Heard
Posted on 31. Mar, 2010 by admin in Open Road
If you have been following along, the West Coast Thunder Run had been changed this year. The ride which in prior years took a closed route to the Riverside National Cemetery to honor those that so valiantly served our country, had been changed in favor of a party at the Soboba Casinos. This decision was accented by a lot of finger pointing and blaming for the change of decision.
Well brothers, your voices have been heard. With efforts by many of you like Les Carroll (LoudHog), and the rest of you that have canceled your tickets and voiced your opinion, Skip Fordyce Harley-Davidson got the message loud and clear.
Announced today on the West Coast Thunder website found here, the parameters of the West Coast Thunder ride have once again been changed. Now there will be two parts to the ride. For those who wish to pay their respects at the Riverside National Cemetery, that ride will be escorted from Skip Fordyce Harley-Davidson at 9:11 am as in past years. Following the ceremonies at the Riverside National Cemetery, all riders are then encouraged to ride (unescorted) to the Soboba Casino for the rest of the festivities.
The second part of the ride will leave Skip Fordyce Harley-Davidson after the first group, and will be escorted by the CHP to the Soboba Casino. This second wave of riders is for those that do not wish to participate in the ceremonies at 
the Riverside National Cemetery. Once at the Soboba Casino, participants will enjoy live entertainment, food and product vendors, official event ceremonies; all culminating with a performance by Nashville Recording Star James Otto with Special Guest American Idol Finalist Danny Gokey.
As I posted in the previous article “West Coast Thunder Undone”, Jim Ruester of the Riverside National Cemetery has stated that they will have the ceremonies including the Air Force flyover, military band, and special guest speakers.
I want to send out a special thanks to Les Carroll for all his hard work in getting his voice heard, and to all of you who spoke up in the name of Honor and Remembrance. Hooyah!
