Honoring Our Veterans

Although the skies threatened rain for much of the day, once again we were blessed not to get a single drop. We got started early, leaving the hotel at 8:30 a.m. to be on time (early) for the Rolling Thunder wreath laying at the Navy Memorial - an event slated to begin at 10. Of course, it turned out that it really began at 11, but we enjoyed the extra time.

One Rolling Thunder member from New Jersey wearing a crisp Navy uniform struck up a conversation with us. He'd been retired for 17 years from the US Navy, but bought a brand new uniform (that fit his trim body like a glove) just so he could wear it on this day. He'd go back to biker clothes later in the day, but at this moment he looked like he could serve America right now, and well I might add.

The event began at 11 a.m. with a Rolling Thunder contingent (mostly veterans themselves) assembling front and center, while Navy Memorial dignitaries welcomed the crowd. Then, a retired Lieutenant Commander (also part of Rolling Thunder) gave some stirring remarks that detailed the Korean War, and the Navy's role in it. He talked about the indifference the Korean vets faced when return home, contrasting it to the disdain expressed to the Vietnam Vets, and the (far better) heroe's welcome today's veterans receive. He concluded by asking for prayer for all the remaining POW/MIAs, and that someday they be brought home safely. The playing of "Taps" concluded the event, and it felt good to have been part of it.

Surprisingly, Cheryl and I had no trouble navigating to the Navy Memorial from our hotel in Crystal City. And, finding our way several blocks to the west for Thunder Alley - the vendor area of Rolling Thunder - proved no more of a challenge than getting across the Potomac in the first place! And, there were plenty of vendors with bikers like us eager to spend money, so of course we obliged them. Gotta' do our part to keep the economy humming, you know.

Although it hadn't rained, it was the usual 80 degrees + and big-time muggy in Washington DC, and we felt it as we trudged around the National Mall. We walked past the Vietnam Memorial which had long lines in both directions (since we'll be there tomorrow) and headed toward the glorious World War II Memorial.

This one means a lot to me since my father, an Army medic, served in both the European and Pacific Theaters during World War II. And, with him gone now almost 25 years, it means a lot to be there to honor him and others of the Greatest Generation. I'm sure he would've approved of this monument had he lived to see it.

Finally, the day's only blip on the radar came when we got back on the bike to go back to the hotel to cool off, and my red light (meaning low on gas) was staring back at me. There aren't a ton of gas stations in this part of Washington, but fortunately there was one a couple blocks from our hotel,so no worries in the end.

Not sure what we'll do the rest of today since it is only mid-afternoon at this point, but tomorrow (Sunday) is the big ride. And, I can tell you, the volume of motorcycles (almost exclusively Harley Davidson) in the city is really impressive . . . . . . . . . . ..Rolling Thunder. Estimates are that there are somewhere between 250,000 and 400,000 motorcycles in town, and they are plenty loud. Stay tuned, and I'll talk with you tomorrow.