American Legion Riders head to Washington DC
Bandera American Legion Riders cross the Ferry at Port Aransas during an Easter Weekend Legion Rider trip earlier this year. Their next destination is Washington, D.C. Courtesy Photo
Have you ever been to Washington D.C. over Memorial Day Weekend? If you haven’t, you are missing out on one of the biggest motorcycle demonstration rides in the Nation. “Rolling to Remember” is happening that weekend, and Bandera’s own American Legion Riders Post 157 will be attending this demonstration ride.
Rolling to Remember is a demonstration ride at our nation’s capital to raise awareness that there still are 82,000 service members that are missing. It also raises awareness of the 22 veterans that die by suicide each day.
The message will be clear throughout we will never forget our POWs and MIAs, and we won’t stop fighting for real solutions to the suicide crisis.
Several of our Bandera American Legion Riders will be attending along with non-veteran friends who want to participate.
“This will by my 21st year going to this event which was originally called ‘Rolling Thunder,” said Legion Rider Director Scott Baker. “I missed the last couple of years due to Covid 19 and this will be the first time to attend ‘Rolling to Remember.’ I am so excited to be returning to Washington D.C.”
Baker first attended this demonstration when he lived in Kentucky. As the Post 157 riders cross the country, they will join his former Legion Rider groups; Post 113 Elizabethtown, KY and Post 325 Flatwoods, KY for the remainder of the ride to Washington D.C.
Throughout the weekend there will be several events taking place, such as a 22 Bike Salute Memorial, blessing of the bikes, candlelight vigil/wreath laying observance at the National Vietnam Wall Memorial, a 22 a day 2.2-mile walk/run, stage performances, and closing on Sunday at RFK stadium for the Rolling to Remember Demonstration Ride.
After the Demonstration Ride, the Legion Riders and friends will go to Gatlinburg, TN, to enjoy a couple of days riding the Smoky Mountains before returning home to Texas and Kentucky.
Legion Riders is a new program of the Bandera American Legion Post 157 and has been steadily growing since last year’s formation. The American Legion Riders Post 157 meet on the first Thursday of the month at 7 p.m. at the American Legion Hall in Bandera. Please text Scott Baker at 903-244-5205 if you have any questions.
If you would like to help defer expenses (such as gas) for the Legion Riders, please send donations to American Legion Riders Post 157, PO Box 422, Bandera, Tx 78003.
If you would like to donate directly to the cause, please visit Rolling to Remember website at https://www. rollingtoremember.com/
Julie Baker is the Legion Riders Secretary.