Remembrance along the route
Along the main route in D.C., Tim Chambers, a retired Marine veteran who refers to himself as the “Saluting Marine,” said that Memorial Day events like Rolling to Remember began as a demonstration to remind people of those soldiers who went missing in action, those who succumbed to their injuries, PTSD and other tragic outcomes from their service to the nation.
“We need to mourn a little bit more as a society, because there’s a lot of families that are hurting, there’s a lot of families that were destroyed, there’s a lot of families that don’t know what happened to their loved one, and we didn’t get them the accountability or closure that they deserve,” Chambers said. “Veteran suicide, that’s still happening. It’s so out of sight out of mind, and then you need to be reminded that it’s happening.”
April Lamie, who came up from North Carolina with a group called TAPS (Tragedy Assistant Programs for Survivors), lost her husband nine years ago. This is the sixth year she has been coming to D.C. for Memorial Day.
“It’s just in the sound of the bikes. It’s very inspiring,” Lamie said. “It has such depth and meaning and you can literally feel the vibrations of the caring and the thoughtfulness and the support as they as they roll by you.”
Asked what she wanted people to remember about the holiday, she said, “Their lives are not to be mourn but to be celebrated because they are all someone we loved.”
Tom Kreutzer’s uncle was killed in World War II. He’s an employee with the Department of State and has worked with military commands in the past. He said this ride is a small way to show his appreciation for the people who sacrifice their lives.
“There’s usually a really good community, especially with Harley riders,” Kreutzer said. “Generally, when I’ve been with Harley guys, they’re a certain kind of person and I respect that. So, they’re good to hang around with.”
John De Pasquale has been riding in the event for about 20 years. He said this year in particular is special for him because it’s the first year his son Mike is riding alongside. Mike, the grandson of a World War II veteran, says he’s most excited “to actually be in it, not standing on the side of the road waving at everybody.”
WTOP’s Linh Bui and Joshua Barlow contributed to this report.
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