By Beth David, Editor
The volunteer effort underway now to take the POW/MIA flag to all 50 states involves many, many people from lots of organizations, and lots of coordination. But it all started with the vision of one man, Jim Ray, a Vietnam Veteran from Virginia.
Kim Ball, who has helped to coordinate the effort, said her friend Jim had the dream to transport the flag to all 50 states. The monumental task required more personnel power than the veterans they knew.
Pat and Jim Ray pose with items accompanying the POW/MIA flag that is touring all 50 states to bring awareness of the 83,000 US military personnel still missing from the country’s wars. Submitted photo.
“Jim rides himself,” said Ms. Ball. “So we turned to bikers to help transport this flag.”
She said the Rolling Thunder motorcycle club, with its mission of publicizing the POW-MIA issue, was a natural fit.
A local chapter of Rolling Thunder picked up the flag in Rhode Island and transported it to New Hampshire, following the itinerary set by the national group, said chapter president Michelle Hamilton.
They even arranged for a local family, who lost a son in Vietnam to sign the book that will be placed with the flag in the Smithsonian after its tour is completed.
“Rollilng Thunder had the whole northeast,” said Ms. Ball, “They were great about passing it on.”
She said in other states, the VFW chapters, American Legion, combat veteran groups, and many other lesser known groups moved the flag. More than 500 motorcyclists helped with the effort.
The flag will end up in Grundy, VA, where it started, said Ms. Ball. Then it will travel to the annual “Ride for Freedom” on 5/27, Memorial Day weekend, in DC, a Rolling Thunder annual event. Then it will go to the Smithsonian.
Dubbed “The Ride Home,” the flag is due in Pikevill, KY, on Saturday, 5/19. At 10 a.m., at the Mineshaft Harley-Davidson, the flag and a the bikers will leave and head to the Blessing of the Bikes at the Grundy, VA, Community Center, for a ceremony that will include a roll call of veterans.
There are 83,000 United States POW/MIA’s still unaccounted for.
To learn more about the 50-state tour, visit https://www.facebook.com/ POW-flag-50-State-Tour-446276625758621/.
To learn more about Rolling Thunder, visit http://www.rollingthunder1.com or locally, contact: Chapter 2 MA, Pres. Michelle M. Hamilton, P.O. Box 258, Middleboro, MA 02346, 774-766-9214.
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