Photo By Seaman Matthew Hobson | A group of motorcyclists rode from Naval Support Activity Bethesda to D.C. May 29 to...... read more read more
The streets of Washington, D.C. are overflowing with tens of thousands of motorcycles, the air is filled with the smell of exhaust and cigar smoke and the sides of the streets are jam-packed right up to the curb with spectators trying to catch a glimpse of the motorcyclists returning a salute to the Marine in his dress blues that is holding a salute to all the motorcyclist for hours on end who pass in the procession. This was the scene as Rolling Thunder rolled through the nation’s capital May 29.
Operation Rolling Thunder was the U.S. military code name for the long-term bombing of North Vietnamese targets in the mid-1960s, and is now the the name for a United States advocacy group that seeks to bring full accountability for prisoners of war (POWs) and missing in action (MIA) service members of all U.S. wars. The group’s first gathering was in 1988.
Some of the motorcyclists who participated in this year’s Rolling Thunder event are former patients at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC).
“I was a patient at Walter Reed [WRNMMC],” said retired Army Sgt. Shaun O’brien, a former patient at WRNMMC. “I actually just retired and left Walter Reed back in August. This is my fourth year riding from NSAB to D.C.
“While I was a patient Ted Nettles and the Patriot Guard were incredible and really helped me get back on my bike,” said O’brien.
The event helps recognize the fallen service members, veterans and the ones still serving.
“Rolling Thunder honors the [service members] that have paid the ultimate price and veterans,” said O’brien.
For some people the event is a way to show their support for the military.
“This is the first year that I have done this ride from NSAB, but I have participated in Rolling Thunder four times now,” said Chuck Wheelock, a printer at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. “I was never in the military so this is a way to give back to the veterans, I support them and appreciate everything they do and have done for our country.”
Participating in events like this can help bring joy to those that need it.
“I’m here today to support the veterans and hopefully bring joy to somebody and show them that we care about what they do for us,” said Wheelock.
O’brien explained that the motorcycle community can help bring people together.
“I think the whole motorcycle community gives veterans the camaraderie that they had while they were in the military,” said O’brien. “It’s hard to find that brotherhood outside of the military. It doesn’t matter what kind of motorcycle you have — when you see another motorcycle you have an instant connection.”
| Date Taken: | 06.01.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 06.02.2016 11:25 |
| Story ID: | 199760 |
| Location: | BETHESDA, MARYLAND, US |
| Web Views: | 100 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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