On Sunday, Oct. 10, dozens of members of Rolling Thunder New York Chapter 6, led by Chapter President William Byrne, assembled at the Marine Corps League in Massapequa for the 6th Annual Motorcycle Run for PTSD Awareness. Opening ceremonies were held at noon in the rain.
Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor Joseph Saladino and Councilman Thomas Hand, always on board and ready to assist Rolling Thunder, joined with Legislator Laura Schaefer to formally honor Byrne and his Rolling Thunder members for all of the veteran advocacy work being done. The trio of officials has assisted the chapter since its inception. Schaefer sang the National Anthem.
Chris Lannon of Island Wide Sounds donated acoustics. Vietnam Veterans of America member Sal Martella, who is also a member of Rolling Thunder and Elmont American Legion, provided the symbolic prisoner-of-war cage. Other donated services included Heroes Among Us, Sunrise Detachment Marine Corps League Massapequa, Garden City Tent, Lifetime Vending and Amusement, Second Street Cycles, the Godfrey Townsend Band, Long Island ABATE and Chronic Migraine Awareness.
Out of the safety concerns for all of the riders who registered for the event, Byrne cancelled the motorcycle run portion of the event, which did not trunctate the event.
As promised, the Godfrey Townsend Band rocked the crowd throughout the afternoon.
Rolling Thunder, Inc. is a nonprofit organization with more than 90 chartered chapters throughout the United States and members abroad. While many members of Rolling Thunder, Inc. are veterans and many ride motorcycles, neither qualification is a prerequisite. Rolling Thunder, Inc. members are old and young, men and women, veterans and non-veterans. All are united in the cause to bring full accountability for the Prisoners Of War-Missing In Action (POW/MIA) of all wars, reminding the government, the media and the public by our watchwords: “We Will Not Forget.”
Visit www.facebook.com/rollingthunderli to learn more about membership and other ways to support this local cause.
