Remembering those who have given all

Legionnaire Felicia Rawls is at Rolling Thunder for the first time in her life. Fellow Legionnaire Jim Cranford is back for the 10th time. Both will be spending a fair amount of time at American Legion Post 177 in Fairfax, Va., this weekend.

And both share a similar reason for riding hundreds of miles: to honor the veterans who came before them and share time with current veterans.

“Knowing what men and women have sacrificed, knowing what they have given to enable me to have the freedom I have – that’s why my husband and I rode up: to remember those that have given all,” said Rawls, a member of American Legion Post 347 in Lady Lake, Fla., and a founding member of The American Legion Riders chapter chartered there last January. “Especially the (prisoners of war) and (missing in action). I didn’t really realize what Rolling Thunder is about. Knowing it’s about bringing home those that still haven’t come home yet. We need to bring our men and women back.”

Rawls, who took part in the candlelight vigil Friday night and planned on both attending the wreath-laying at Arlington National Cemetery on Saturday and the Rolling Thunder Demonstration Ride through D.C. on Sunday, rode 958 miles – ‘we hit a lot of rain on the way,’ she said – to get to Post 177.

It was worth it for her. “Talking to the Vietnam veterans and the veterans from the Korean War, and hearing their stories, it just brings to life even more to me how much they have given,” said Rawls, who served in the U.S. Navy from 1988-1997. “To know that they did this all for strangers, people they didn’t even know. They’ve given their lives.”

Cranford, a 20-year Legion member from Post 92 in Gilead, N.C., used to watch Rolling Thunder’s Run to the Thunder ride through the nation’s capital on C-SPAN when he was younger and was raising a family.

“Finally, one day I said ‘I’m going,’” said Cranford, who served in the Navy from 1966-1970. “I came up here by myself, and this is my 10th year.”

And the reason for returning every year? “Patriotism, my fellow veterans and the experience on Sunday,” said Cranford, who rode 375 miles to get to Fairfax. “The (Run to the Thunder) ride on Sunday is second to none. It gives me cold chills every time. I almost get tears in my eyes.

“As a Vietnam veteran, we didn’t get a big ‘thank you’ when we came back. It just means so much to me to see the appreciation and the crowds. They line the streets, and they shut the streets down. I know that doesn’t happen a lot in D.C. It’s wonderful.”

No matter what the reason a Legion Rider comes to Rolling Thunder, Post 177 is happy to see them. It’s the seventh year the post has opened up its doors and staged events for Riders from all over the nation coming to the Beltway for Rolling Thunder.

“It’s really kind of an honor to be able to host the Riders coming from all over the country to come here to participate in the Rolling Thunder demonstration,” said ALR Chapter 177 Director Bruce Mersereau. “We do everything we can to be good hosts and keep them coming back. We just really wanted to have a focal point for The American Legion Riders.

“There’s a lot of wonderful veterans groups out there, but the Legion Riders, I think, is the biggest and strongest group out there. And every Legion Rider is a (Legion Family member). That just makes it all the more special.”

While the Legion Riders take center stage at Post 177 over the Memorial Day weekend, Mersereau stressed hosting the event is a total team effort. “Having the participation of the entire post – the Sons, the Auxiliary and the post itself – they all get involved in this in one way or another and help out with it,” he said. “And the sole purpose of it is so that all of the (Legion Riders) from around the country that come here have a focal point where they can come here, participate in some of the rides, get any information they need, join us for the ride downtown, and also to be able to have time with fellow Legionnaires from around the country.”