In February 1965, the United States commenced Operation Rolling Thunder, a massive bombing campaign against North Vietnam. Fifty thousand ground troops were then ordered under these auspices to protect new air bases. This build up was one of the causal factors forcing me, and thousands of my brother’s and sisters, to have our futures decided in war. At 20 years old, I learned a new sound and meaning of distant thunder, that of B-52 carpet-bombing.

After 30 years, I again heard that familiar, never-ending thunder, as groups of 5000 Harleys idled in the distance preparing to depart for the Memorial Day Parade in Washington, D.C. This Memorial Day event is the biggest single annual gathering of motorcycles, riders and people paying tribute to all veterans. This was my official homecoming, although I never before realized I needed nor deserved one.

The first group of riders departed the parking lot at noon and we fired up and rode out at 1:15 PM. Four abreast, we circled out of the lot, up the exit ramp and onto the Memorial Bridge. Rounding the corner, we caught our first glimpse of the crowd standing along the parade route. They were waving American flags, saluting and holding their hats over their hearts. The numbers of people increased and funneled us into single file as we exited the bridge. Veterans in uniforms, police acknowledging us by specifically pointing at individual riders while mothers and fathers held their young children out so they could touch our hands as we passed by. “Thank you” and “welcome home” echoed from both sides of the street along the 5 mile parade route.

We were lucky to find a place to park just a mile away from the The Wall. We placed bouquets of roses for lost comrades, Warrant Officer Arnold Nakkerud and 1st Lt. James McQuade and touched their names. Silent prayers were offered for them amongst hundreds of families and fellow veterans on bended knees.

Over a year of planning this trip and tribute now complete, we thought this moment the apex of our trip and slowly headed back towards the bike. Rounding the reflecting pool, drenched from the afternoon thunderstorms, we heard “Goooooooooood Morninnnnnnnn VIETNAM” as Adrian Cronauer personally welcomed Vietnam Veterans home.

Alan, Susan, and Paul Revere

For the next two hours, we sang with Paul Revere and The Raiders to the songs so familiar to us, “We Gotta Get Out Of This Place” and “Run Through The Jungle.” Paul Revere’s musical tribute touched the hearts of all of us there that soggy afternoon. Every veteran’s face, in song and dance, said thank you to those who cared so much to have taken the time to pay tribute to veterans of all wars and to openly welcome home Vietnam Veterans.

We are the lucky ones and in that vein and will forever post our presence before our country to account for all POW’s/MIA’s and help our fellow veteran’s less fortunate than us. As a member of Rolling Thunder New Hampshire Chapter 1, I am proud to have gathered with over a half million riders and veterans to continue to educate the public that many POW’s from all wars have been left behind, to protect future veterans should they become POW/MIA and to continue to help all disabled veterans.

Plan for tomorrow and never forget the past. Join us for the “Run For The Wall” / “Rolling Thunder XV” next Memorial Day Weekend.