At 7 am, all was quite in Warinanco Park, Roselle, when members of New Jersey Rolling Thunder Chapter 2 began to set up the assembly area for the Ride for Freedom VIII Motorcycle Run to the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Holmdel.
In the distance, the rumble of motorcycles began to echo throughout the park as thousands of bikes lined up at the registration area. Bikers paid the $2 entry fee to cover tolls, expenses, and a donation to the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans Memorial Foundation and Education Center.
By 9:30, the rumble of motorcycles was muffled by the UH-1 Huey Helicopter
from the New Jersey Army National Guard, Troop D, 5th Squadron, 117th Cavalry,
which
hovered above the rows of bikes and then landed on the soccer field. After
shutting down, the crew Chief Warrant Officer 5 Rex Powell, Chief Warrant
Officer 2 George
Anglim, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Stephen Glowzenski and Master Sgt. David
Nunlist permitted the crowds of spectators to get a closer look at the
aircraft. Veterans
pointed out the helicopter to their family members while other veterans said
that seeing the aircraft land brought back many memories.
Two hours later, the Police-escorted motorcade began heading out of the park and onto the downtown streets of Roselle toward the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans Memorial Foundation and Education Center. Thousands of residents lined both sides of the streets and waved American flags or held up handmade signs saying “Thanks Veterans.” Along the route people in cars beeped their horns and gave the thumbs up or the peace sign. As the motorcycle color guard drove by, veterans and children stood, saluted, and cheered for the thousands of veterans and supporters who followed on their bikes.
Arriving at the PNC Bank Arts Center, the bikers parked and walked up to
and gathered around the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans Memorial Foundation
and Education
Center. Several veterans’ organizations presented memorial wreaths
and shared prayers and stories honoring servicemen and women killed in
action or
listed as missing in action.
At the ceremony’s closing, a bagpiper began to play Amazing Grace, while the UH-1 Huey helicopter flew over the Vietnam Memorial in a tribute to all veterans past, present, and future.