Departments

Region 8 Veterans Committee’s Rumble Heard In Washington
Written by
Kevin Barnett and
Mark Peterson

During the Memorial Day weekend the rumble and air horns from local 3520 and 2069 were heard loud and clear in the nation’s capital.

Annually, 3520 from Cleveland N.C. Freightliner, for the past five years and Dublin Virginia’s local 2069 Volvo/Mack for the past fifteen years have participated in the Memorial Day events in Washington DC.

For 2069, it’s called the Ride for Freedom and for 3520 it’s the Ride for Pride, now what has become a tradition both committee build and coordinate special class 8 heavy trucks to commemorate the service and sacrifices of our veterans and current military personal.

Kevin Barnett, 3520’s Veterans Committee chairman, say’s our Ride for Pride unit really brings our membership together and management takes notice of our commitment. After production, the truck is shared across the local community in many different events. It’s moving to see the response of others as the Ride for Pride is viewed and we represent the UAW in several ceremonies. It’s a week of pride but the message is to never forget the freedom we have and the men and women who defended the freedom and democracy we so cherished.

Barnett continues, “The ultimate sacrifice. POW, WIA, KIA and MIA are words synonymous with Memorial Day. Through out American history, the willingness to defend and protect even in the face of death separate American’s from all others. It’s important to us to not let these sacrifices go in vain and to bring awareness to all veterans issues and get others involved. One of the groups that work with us on this important event each year is the Rolling Thunder Chapter 2 in Statesville North Carolina. Most of their members are Veterans and the majority are Vietnam era Veterans. Rolling Thunder Inc. mission and major function is to publicize the POW-MIA issue. to educate the public of the fact that many American prisoners of war were left behind after all past wars and to help correct the past and to protect the future veterans from being left behind should they become POW/MIA. Aside from the POW/MIA Issue Rolling Thunder works to protect the earned rights of all veterans from all eras”.

At 2069, their Ride for Freedom week begins when the group Run for the Wall, from California makes their way across the country to participate in the D.C. Memorial Day events. A neighboring county host the RFTW for an overnight stay and a Welcome Home Ceremony. 2069’s Veterans Committee for many year’s have help welcome these fine dedicated veterans and patriot’s to the New River Valley participating in the ceremony, dinner, elementary school programs and a day ride to the National D Day Memorial.

Mark Peterson, 2069’s Veterans Committee chairman, notes “for us Memorial Day is a time to move people’s spirit, warm their hearts and get them involved. Our Ride for Freedom has brought hundred’s together every year to be up lifted by patriotism and the love of America and those who sacrificed defended her.

The Ride for Freedom kicks off with a ceremony that is look forward to by hundreds of area citizens. Peterson adds, “Educating and providing a thought provoking morning is as important as our ride to D.C. This year the ceremony speakers included a recent Gold Star Mother from our community, a representative from the Wounded Warrior Project and a five year POW of the Vietnam War. We add live music, a bagpiper, taps and the 21 gun salute to stir the morning air. It’s become our areas biggest event of the Memorial Day weekend and a lot of people get involved, and this year we took well over 200 to the Rolling Thunder national rally. Personally I would like to thank the brothers from local 3520 who attended the Ride for Freedom Memorial Ceremony.

Peterson continues “Our Ride for Freedom trucks are another way we reach others.
Every year were pressed with the challenge of creating a work of art that has significant meaning and that will be inspiring. These are no billboards… but rolling memorials that touched many lives during the Memorial Day weekend and will many more as they are driven across this great land. Designed thru many hours of thought, e-mails and phone conversation’s, produced in Seattle and manufactured in Vancouver these units represent the best men and women America has to offer, the millions that have served and hundred’s of thousands that paid in full, we remember those great warriors and their families, their sacrifices belong in the highest halls of honor, we work and ride for those who cannot.