Rolling Thunder Ride for Veterans

By: Ricky J. Carrasco

The attacks on September 11, 2001, and the ensuing wars, caused many to remember the lives of thousands of military personnel that serve and die in defense of the US and its people. On September 11, 2010, the New Mexico 1 Chapter of Rolling Thunder organized a charity ride to remember those soldiers, past and present, that were imprisoned, killed, or are missing in action. Riders from El Paso, Las Cruces, Alamogordo and as far as Albuquerque, New Mexico, came together to honor POW/MIAs in a 300 mile tour.

Rolling Thunder, Inc. is a national organization that supports veterans with various forms of financial aid, family support, and services. It also works to “improve legislation to the POW/MIA situation and improve veterans’ benefits.” The New Mexico 1 chapter, chartered in 2005, specifically works to help support the Veteran’s home in Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, the only one of its kind in the state. This ride is its sole fundraiser for the year.

Saturday’s ride had three start bases, including Barnett’s Harley-Davidson here in El Paso and rode through Las Cruces and ended with over 200 riders at a memorial service at Vietnam War Memorial reproduction in Truth or Consequences.  Many other Veteran rider groups like the “Combat Vets Association” and the “Buffalo Soldiers MC”, among others, rode in co-operation with the Rolling Thunder to support American Veterans.

For more information or to get involved, contact Dusty at www.rollingthundernm1.com.