BEER30 Posted April 28, 2008 #1 Posted April 28, 2008 What a weekend I had . Got up bright and early 3:00 a.m. Saturday to start the days event . As a member of Rolling Thunder NC-5 , I began leaving the house to meet up with another member at 4:00 a.m. to eat breakfast then to the rally point on which kickstands up at 5:30 a.m to begin our journey to Raleigh , NC . At which Rolling Thunder was invited to participate in the parade Also RT was the only private organization and motorcycle group there . NC-4 was the host chapter there and led the group ,but this also the first time that all chapters rode together as a group other than the DC ride . Other than RT being there , they did allow some High School Marching Band to attend . History was made this day , as being the largest Parade in NC to this date . There was over 50,000 spectators there to show support for our troops . As we started from the staging area unto the parade , we got the surprise of our life as Senator Dole asked to ride with us on a motorcycle . As she was wearing a business dress/skirt , it would have been very unlady-like for here to ride . So there was one member on a Scooter with a Voyager kit on it , which allowed here to ride lady-like on . It was a surprise all together , even to her aid and bodyguards and to the news group . No one expected this at all ! This was the the second and most largest parade I have ridden in . The parade was a 1 1/2 mile long and took almost an hour to complete . I pulled the BEERCART equipped with the POW-MIA and the American flag upon it . I even took one to the serviceman's daughter as co-pilot . This will be an event I will never forget . As the politicians and military leaders that were there , they expressed they wished for RT to be at all the next forthcoming parades as this will be a annual event now . Here are some video's of the days events ; (News clip) http://www.wral.com/news/local/video/2798619 (Entire Parade) 1 hour long . http://www.wral.com/news/local/video/2798244 RT is about 46 minutes into the footage . Here you will the a glimpse of the BEERCART and myself . After a brief banner of days events , you will see a reporter interviewing Sen. Dole on back of the scooter during the parade . Listen closely as the main news caster comment about here and especially about NC's motorcycle helmet laws ! After the parade , we had BBQ sandwiches with the troops and got a group picture taken with the Senator . We also got to meet with some Medal of Honor heroes . On the ride back towards home (2 1/2 ride) leaving city limits of Raleigh , all the group was in the inside lane to allow traffic entering I-40 , on which a cage suddenly lost his hood . The hood just snapped off and went sailing straight up into the air about 50 or so feet , turning end over end . All I could say on the CB was "INCOMING"!!!!!!!!( I was riding tail end) The hood safely landed on the side of the road missing everybody . Though everyones heart skipped a beat , I could only imagine what the inside of that cage smelled like .:whistling: To bad I was not running the helmet cam at that time , it would have been a sight to see . I finally arrived home around 8:00 p.m. . Hope you enjoy the footage and if ever you get the chance to participate in any cause to support our troops , I can at least say the expressions and Thanks from our Servicemen/women and their families will last in your hearts for a life time . I just really never knew how much it meant to them until now ! God Bless our Troops and their Families !!!!!! BEER30
hipshot Posted April 28, 2008 #2 Posted April 28, 2008 outstanding! glad everything went so smoothly, for the whole group, gene! i guess, in about a week, i'll get the same feeling, you experienced, meeting with the soldiers. gonna have a big fishing blowout , on the bays, for the wounded warriors, who are recovering from their wounds at Brooks Army Medical Center. if the good lord is willing, i'll have a very memorable time. just jt
MamaMo Posted April 28, 2008 #3 Posted April 28, 2008 Watched most of the parade. What a great day for the troops. Saw you all and the Beercart looking good. Looks like Senator Dole was having a blast. I would like to say A BIG THANKS TO THE MEN AND WOMEN THAT SERVE.
Eck Posted April 28, 2008 #5 Posted April 28, 2008 Congrats my friend... You are still my hero !!!!!!!! hugs
Carbon_One Posted April 28, 2008 #6 Posted April 28, 2008 Outstanding day for you and everyone involved Beer. I tip my hat to you and all who support and serve our great country. Larry
cliffno350 Posted April 28, 2008 #7 Posted April 28, 2008 outstanding glad you enjoyed the day I sure troops appreciate the support too.
Eugene Posted April 28, 2008 #9 Posted April 28, 2008 What a great day Gene - so glad you posted this!! Eugene
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