Roaring Thunder 2008 - Gordon, Georgia

They could be heard from Grovetown all the way to Fort Gordon. This event was open to all riders, non-riders (cages) and especially veterans and veteran groups. The staging area for the ride was the Food Lion parking lot in Grovetown, Georgia. When it came time for the riders to leave to go to Fort Gordon, the 300 riders started forming two lines. The bikes that displayed the large flags were placed at the head of the procession, and the bikes with smaller flags were toward the end of the line. The ride headed out through Grovetown onto Robinson Avenue escorted by the Grovetown Police Dept. to Gate 2, and when the bikes entered Fort Gordon, the Fort Gordon Military Police escorted the group down Chamberlain Avenue. After a trip through the base the bikers arrived about 20 minutes before the Fisher House Charity Ceremony started at the Eisenhower Hospital. As the bikes turned onto East Hospital Road, a line of soldiers with flags stood at attention as the group passed. This is the way the active duty personnel pay respect to all the veterans that came before them. After the riders passed the soldiers, the bikers parked on the Hospital’s 4th Floor Plaza.

When it came time for the ceremonies to begin, the Patriot Guard and soldiers from Fort Gordon formed a flag line along the sides of the plaza in honor of our beloved Wounded Warriors and their families during the ceremonies. The Master of Ceremonies, Melissa Tune, co-anchor of WRDW TV First at Five, introduced the first speaker. The bikers and guests were welcomed, and an invocation was given by Chaplain Conner. A color guard from the Fort did the posting of the Colors. Next the National Anthem was played by the Signal Corps Band. Master Gunnery Sergeant Rob “Sarge” Robinson USMC Retired, recipient of five Purple Hearts, gave a moving speech honoring the Wounded Warriors & their Families. Other speakers included Fort Gordon Post Command Sergeant Major Clark and Post Commander BG Jeffrey W. Foley. A presentation of a check was made by Mike Anderson and Fae Casper to the Fort Gordon Fisher House Manager, Francisco Cruz, in the amount of $30,423 for the support of the house. The Georgia Patriot Guard Leadership Team was presented with a plaque by the Eisenhower AMC Commanding General BG Bradshaw for their outstanding work. After recognition of each of the sponsors, Art Robb thanked and presented each one with a plaque. After the color guard retired the colors, everyone made their way to the tents for lunch.

The Fisher House at Fort Gordon now has seven bedrooms. Next year, a Fisher House with 21 bedrooms will be breaking ground at Augusta’s Uptown V.A. Hospital. There are 38 Fisher Houses nationwide. The Fisher House first opened its doors at Fort Gordon in April of 1993. The Fisher House is in walking distance of the Eisenhower Hospital and is a comfortable temporary home for the veterans’ families. The Fisher House provides a place to stay for our Wounded Warriors and their families while the Wounded Warrior receives medical treatment and care at the Eisenhower Army Medical Center or Veterans Administration Medical Center in Augusta. If it was not for the Fisher House, the families would suffer financial hardships thus preventing them from being with their loved ones in their special time of need. The Fisher House depends on public support to operate. The American Legion Riders Post 178 of Augusta, Georgia has supported the Fisher House for the past four years.

We had some great door prizes including a Windsor Jewelers Watch, a Brinkman Pro Series 8300 Gas BBQ Grill, free diners at Olive Garden and Firehouse Subs, and many other prizes.

What I like about what I do is that I get to meet a lot of interesting people. This week I met Fae Casper, the Georgia Commander of the American Legion, Donald M. Bradshaw, BG the officer in charge of the Eisenhower Hospital and the Post Commander BG Jeffrey W. Foley Chief of Signal 1. This is the fourth year a charity ride for the Fisher House was held by the American Legion Riders at the Eisenhower Hospital at Fort Gordon. Some of the many bikers I talked with Saturday included Rob “Iron Butt” Roberts who was working hard at the staging area and Art “Bubblehead” Robb. Everyone laughed when Art told the crowd how he got the nickname of Bubblehead. He gave himself the name because he was in the submarine service. Also there was some great free food on hand that was provided by local restaurants like Shane‘s Rib Shack and Rinehart‘s Oyster Bar. I hope everyone will be on the lookout for the Roaring Thunder 2009 Ride and help support the Fisher House.

By Tommy Pittard