Rolling Thunder Honors POW/MIA

 By David L Milner and Journal Gazette
 
The Rolling Thunder, INC.,  Chapter 1, from Indianapolis, Indiana, performed a Memorial Day Ceremony At the Veterans National Memorial Shrine and Museum, at Fort Wayne, Indiana.  The ceremony began at the Vietnam Memorial Wall to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War.  Colors were posted by Marine Corps League Detachment 1435, Color Guard.  America was honored with the singing of our National Anthem and the pledge of Allegiance.  

This was Mayor Sharon Tucker’s first visit to the Veterans National Memorial Shrine and Museum and she was escorted by a Rolling Thunder INC, Chapter 1 member to the patriotic casualty and MIA wreath.  Mayor Tucker and Rolling Thunder member then placed the wreath at the middle corner of the Vietnam Memorial wall.  

The honor of removing the cover of the POW/MIA Bench went to Mayor Sharon Tucker, Operation Enduring Freedom Veteran and Indiana State Senator Busch along with a board and Robert Thomas, VNMSM board member.

More than 200 people gathered Monday at the Veterans National Memorial Shrine and Museum to honor veterans who made “the ultimate sacrifice,” the Rolling Thunder leader said.

Spectators and members of Rolling Thunder Inc. Indiana Chapter One used paper and writing utensils to capture name rubbings on the retired Traveling Vietnam Memorial Wall. They also honored Prisoner of War/Missing in Action veterans and others who died in combat with a ceremony that included the national anthem, the playing of “Taps” and a POW/MIA bench dedication.

“It’s a beautiful place to spend Memorial Day to honor our fallen,” Mike Clark, president of Indiana’s Rolling Thunder chapter, said. “That’s what Memorial Day is all about, remembering those that died and also remembering those who will never return.”