Posted on 09/21/2005 5:40:02 PM PDT by SandRat
MARINE CORPS AIR STATION NEW RIVER, N.C. (Sept. 21, 2005) -- The thunder rolled as Marines and Sailors here waved the North Carolina Rolling Thunder through the Station gates Sept. 10, and even though the personnel may not have seen the group, they did hear them.
All five chapters of the North Carolina Rolling Thunder, a motorcycle group dedicated to remembering servicemembers who are prisoners of war or missing in action, hosted their yearly picnic at the Station Marina.
Personally welcoming the group, Station Commanding Officer Col. Stephen L. Forand spoke to the group during the table ceremony.
Forand welcomed the group here, stating that he was honored to host the event. During his speech emphasized the point that Americans need to remember those left behind.
“We sometimes get discouraged when things get too tough. We keep going and hope it all goes away. But, it is up to all Americans to keep their memory alive,” he said.
“American’s should never forget those Americans who have answered their nation’s call to duty,” added 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 giving gifts of thanks to Forand, Marine Corps Community Services Director Paul Quinn and Deputy Operation Officer Duke Colvin, the group rode in formation to the Station Marina, where they formed separate parties and 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 servicemembers for answering their nation’s call.
BIKERS Support the Troops Vrrrrrrrrooooooooommmmmmmmmm!!!!!!!
awwwwwwwww.... that's sweet!!!!
Support your Local Big Red Machine Colorado P.S. SEMPER FI
hip hip hooray for the pilots in the Jet Blue Plane....safe landing...
BTTT
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