West Coast Thunder 2010
God Bless America
On Memorial day, we gather as a nation to celebrate and pay tribute to all those brave men and women who fight to protect our freedom. Don’t get me wrong, I do not advocate war or violence. But I do advocate defending the things that are of value to me. And my freedom and my country are among the top of my list of that which is worth protecting. In truth… I love my country. Evidenced by the fact that nearly every time I hear our National Anthem, I tear up.
West Coast Thunder is an annual event designed with one thing in mind; to benefit those brave, selfless men and women, and their families. They literally put their lives on the line for me… it’s only right that I do what I can to show my gratitude.
This year the event will be on Monday May 31st… Memorial Day. The expectation is that several thousand motorcyclists will take part in the event. I along with members of my riding club, Southern Cruisers Riding Club, will be there. Celebrating our military and what they have done for us.
Here’s a brief rundown of the event:
- Priority Registration is $35 per participant (through May 17, 2010).
- Pre-Registration is $40 per participant (May 17 through May 30, 2010).
- Day-Of Registration is $40 per participant (May 31, 2010)
Each registered rider will receive:
- One registration packet for West Coast Thunder XI
- One venue entry wristband
- One general admission concert ticket (upgrade available)
- One West Coast Thunder XI ride pin
- One attachable American flag
- One raffle ticket for event prizes.
- One T-Shirt coupon
Registration packets will be mailed to the shipping address indicated
The first 1,000 riders to register will be invited to attend our
exclusive Saturday night V.I.P. Party.
This year, West Coast Thunder and Skip Fordyce Harley-Davidson have
partnered with their friends at KFRG Radio, 95.1 FM and Soboba Casino
to aide in the production of the event. As of 2010, the parade route
will change to accommodate the increased participation. Soboba Casino
in San Jacinto, California will be the final destination for the
parade this Memorial Day, Monday, May 31st, 2010. The parade will
still leave Skip Fordyce Harley-Davidson the morning of Memorial Day,
and travel directly to the Soboba Casino.
Will you attend this great event?
Visit the West Coast Thunder website at http://www.westcoastthunder.com for event details and registration information.
I was planning on going to the Memorial day event but after learning that they are not going to the Cemetery I will not be going. I am an Iraq war vet have serving 2 combat tours in Iraq. I lost a few of my buddies over there. And to go to a casino is no way to honor the ones who have giving there lives so that we may live in freedom.
SSG Johnny Carroll
U.S. Army Retired
Johnny,
First and foremost… thank you. You serving benefits me and my children and I cannot express my gratitude enough. As for the ride itself, this is my first West coast Thunder and wasn’t sure what to expect or what has been done in the past. I just know there are a bunch of people honoring those who fought and fell for us. Personally it can be at a cemetery, casino, someone’s backyard or empty parking lot. Because at the end of the day, (IMHO) it’s all about collectively saying thank you. And that’s what I want to do. So while I respect your position, I will still be thee.
Karl
Story from Skip Fordyce Harley-Davidson was that the Riverside National Cemetery declined to have the bikers there this year. But, a response from the director of the Riverside National Cemetery paints a different picture. Not only where they expecting us, but were disappointed that we are not coming (although I will). Check out the whole story here at http://www.hdopenroad.com under “West Coast Thunder Undone”. I do not appreciate being lied to, I am sure you don’t either.
I would like to make a statement to all of you so you are aware, I have been the registration chairman volunteer for this event for years now, and am among a few that know what has transpired within..Because of the growth the cemetary was concerned from the federally mandated ceremonies that they have to follow, so the commitee had struggles to keep this event going, upon a lengthy time period of changes, It has been approved and the Ride to the Cemetary will take place..Please see the website @http://www.westcoastthunder.com/.I would like to mention this events proceeds go to the cemetarys commitee, Skip Fordyce does not make money on the event, they sponsor and donate alot..Soboba Casino has donated the room in which the country artists will perform. This Ride is all about honoring our veterans, but also taking care of those who are active duty as well, along with the rest of us who support the ride, they just wanted to give us more for our money and a longer ride that was asked for by many. So please join Us in continuing what my good friend Pat wanted the day this was started…
The following was sent to me by Mr. Buddy Richards with a request that I delete some previous comments he had made regarding this year’s West Coast Thunder ride. Following is what he had to say, sopied and posted here in its entirety:
I wrote some pretty bad things about the 2010 Skip Fordyce H-D and West Coast Thunder ride I was very angry when I was told the ride was not going to the RNC and after I wrote it was too late to take it back. I have found much of what I was told by people I trusted was not true the mentioned dealer is not at fault and in fact they are a huge supporter of the event and all of our Troops past present and future. I would like to apologize for being so short fused and angry making my judgment at the very least irresponsible and I should have not let my emotions and my big mouth get the best of me.
I will tell everyone I can both on the street and on PGR missions that I was wrong to so quickly judge Skip Fordyce Harley as selling out I have talked with many people in the PGR and have found there is a lot more to the truth than what was told and wrote to your website.
I would again like to apologize for my out of line remarks I was wrong to say such things but I just let anger get to me.
I am greatly sorry for what I wrote and the comments I made and I hope and pray that people will understand I jumped the gun and was way out of line and they will tell all of their friends what a great effort that many many people including Skip Fordyce H-D do to make this a very respectful and Honorable day for our fallen heroes and their families.
To anyone who was affected by my way out of line remarks please accept my apologies I will be attending the ride and will continue to pass the word of what a great way of showing respect for our Troops this ride is and always has been.
Buddy Richards
@Coach
Coach I incourage you to read the below statement about another that was mis informed, and hope you will know as well you cant always beleive what you hear…All I can say is when otheres get involved its amazing how people retract what had been said prior.. Im just glad that all has worked out and we are going to be able to make it work, but with many hurdles and struggles, again it will be another year of success and Honor!
The truth still isn’t all out there. There were some things said by Skip Fordyce that were counter to the later email received by Jim Ruester of the Riverside National Cemetery. I posted an article that was in disappointment but in support of Skip Fordyce for their long standing support of active military and veterans. But then their story began to unravel. Still, I only wrote what was told, and I allowed the reader to come up with his own conclusion. I am very happy that this action, and the action of others, spurred the addition of the ride to the Riverside National Cemetery. But I am still disappointed that it should have even been a question.
The following comment is from the website of West Coast Thunder. (http://www.westcoastthunder.com/ride_info.html)
“For riders that wish to go the Riverside National Cemetery, there will be an escorted, closed parade route exactly the same as year’s past. This parade will leave at 9:11 am.”
The above comment is perfectly clear and understandable to me.
Beyond the Memorial Day Ceremonies the current administration at Riverside National Cemetery, for which Jim Reuster works, has taken the position to shove a group of patriots out the back gate… hence their courting of other outside groups for Memorial Day Ceremonies.
Our CRIME… when the director said that “No one is allowed to put an american flag on any graves of Veterans” and followed it up in writing… the Riverside National Cemetery Support Committee stood up and said “just watch us.” The bureaucrats didn’t like the fact that we stood for the American flag and the honor of our Veterans.
President Bush was asked in writing “what do we tell the widow of a young soldier who gave their life in Iraq, defending our Freedom, why she can’t put an American flag on the grave of her husband”?
I guess we got the bureaucrats attention over up for the American flag, their continual complaints about traffic, the sounds of the bikes and parking of the 6000+ motorcycles … along with the bureaucrats treatment of widows (USN Capt. Cole Black’s widow… Karen Black) and loved ones of our ex Prisoners of War…. that is our bitch.
Fact of life: if you want to ride to Riverside National Cemetery on Memorial Day then do it… if you want to ride to the Casino or go to a Memorial Day Sale or BBQ… the Freedom is yours… “PAID FOR BY A VETERAN”….
The unconditional gift of proceeds from over 10 years by West Coast Thunder & Skip Fordyce built the National POW/MIA Memorial and put over $170,000 into a fund to build the Vietnam Memorial at Riverside National Cemetery.
The Skip Fordyce family and West Coast Thunder family has done more (AND longer) to honor our Veterans and bring attention to the Memorial Day Ceremonies than anyone commenting here including the RNC Public Relations man Jim Reuster.
THANK YOU WEST COAST THUNDER AND SKIP FORDYCE HARLEY DAVIDSON!!!
I am riding with West Coast Thunder to Riverside National Cemetery on Memorial Day May 31, 2010.
Paul Adkins, Proud Veteran and Proud Volunteer, Riverside National Cemetery Support Committee
The following comment is from the website of West Coast Thunder. (http://www.westcoastthunder.com/ride_info.html)
“For riders that wish to go the Riverside National Cemetery, there will be an escorted, closed parade route exactly the same as year’s past. This parade will leave at 9:11 am.”
The above comment is perfectly understandable to me.
Facts of life: if you want to ride to Riverside National Cemetery on Memorial Day then do it… if you want to ride to the Casino, go to a Memorial Day Sale or a BBQ… the Freedom is yours… “PAID FOR BY A VET”….
The unconditional gift of the proceeds from over 10 years of West Coast Thunder & Skip Fordyce Harley Davidson built the National POW/MIA Memorial and put over $170,000 into a fund to build the Vietnam Memorial at Riverside National Cemetery.
The Skip Fordyce family and West Coast Thunder family has done more (AND longer) to honor our Veterans and bring attention to the Memorial Day Ceremonies than anyone commenting here.
I am riding with West Coast Thunder to Riverside National Cemetery on Memorial Day May 31, 2010.
Paul Adkins, Proud Veteran and Proud Volunteer, Riverside National Cemetery Support Committee
May 31 was a beautiful day, one that made me proud to be an American. The opening ceremony at WCT was solumn and emotional. Hearing that young boy nearly flawlessly sing “God Bless America” and the national anthem nearly brought tears to my eyes. And I was moved closer to the edge during the playing of “Amazing Grace” and “The Stars and Stripes Forever.” (My dad was a piccolo player in Navy bands during WWII and hearing the piccolos at the end of Stars & Stripes always makes me think of him.)
My daughter Karen, who rode with me, and I elected to forego the events at Soboba and instead ride to the cemetery. At first I was disappointed at how few riders made that same decision. But I saw many more riders once we neared the ceremony site, and that was gratifying. Karen and I reflected on her cousin Jeremy Bow who, as a Marine in Iraq, gave his life for his country. We talked about some of her friends who volunteered for military duty, only to pay the ulitmate price. And, we realized how lucky we are to live in such a great nation.