Shaffer
09-24-05, 06:09 AM
The thunder rolled as Marines and sailors here waved the North Carolina Rolling Thunder through the Station gates Sept. 10. Even though the personnel may not have seen the group, they heard them.
All five chapters of the North Carolina Rolling Thunder, a motorcycle group dedicated to remembering service members who are prisoners of war or missing in action, hosted their annual picnic at the Station Marina.
Col. Stephen L. Forand, MCAS New River commanding officer, personally welcomed the group during the table ceremony.
Forand stated that he was honored to host the event. During his speech, he emphasized the that Americans need to remember those left behind.
“We keep going and hope it all goes away," he said. "But, it is up to all Americans to keep their memory alive.”
“American’s should never forget those Americans who have answered their nation’s call to duty,” said Hank Hangsleben, the NC-5 president. “A man is not dead until he is forgotten; never forget.”
Also during the ceremony, members of Rolling Thunder read aloud the names of 44 North Carolina Vietnam veterans who are still classified as POW or MIA.
After the ceremony, the group rode in formation to the Station Marina where they toured some of the station’s facilities.
“Everyone enjoyed seeing the (MV-22) Osprey and especially enjoyed the (Indoor Simulated Marksmanship Trainer),” said NC-5 Vice President Dave Lynch. “It was good for everyone to see some of the new technology; a lot of these guys are from Vietnam era. But, just like the colonel said, it isn’t technology over there fighting the war, it’s the Marines, and everyone enjoyed seeing the new generation of Marines.”
In addition to thanking station personnel for allowing the picnic to take place, Rolling Thunder wanted to thank all service members for answering their nation’s callto duty.
For more information about Rolling Thunder, go to their Web site at www.rollingthunder1.com.
All five chapters of the North Carolina Rolling Thunder, a motorcycle group dedicated to remembering service members who are prisoners of war or missing in action, hosted their annual picnic at the Station Marina.
Col. Stephen L. Forand, MCAS New River commanding officer, personally welcomed the group during the table ceremony.
Forand stated that he was honored to host the event. During his speech, he emphasized the that Americans need to remember those left behind.
“We keep going and hope it all goes away," he said. "But, it is up to all Americans to keep their memory alive.”
“American’s should never forget those Americans who have answered their nation’s call to duty,” said Hank Hangsleben, the NC-5 president. “A man is not dead until he is forgotten; never forget.”
Also during the ceremony, members of Rolling Thunder read aloud the names of 44 North Carolina Vietnam veterans who are still classified as POW or MIA.
After the ceremony, the group rode in formation to the Station Marina where they toured some of the station’s facilities.
“Everyone enjoyed seeing the (MV-22) Osprey and especially enjoyed the (Indoor Simulated Marksmanship Trainer),” said NC-5 Vice President Dave Lynch. “It was good for everyone to see some of the new technology; a lot of these guys are from Vietnam era. But, just like the colonel said, it isn’t technology over there fighting the war, it’s the Marines, and everyone enjoyed seeing the new generation of Marines.”
In addition to thanking station personnel for allowing the picnic to take place, Rolling Thunder wanted to thank all service members for answering their nation’s callto duty.
For more information about Rolling Thunder, go to their Web site at www.rollingthunder1.com.