Thunder on Sunday

[Chris Santee]

For immediate release

VERMONT THUNDER XVI
May 25th, 2008 marks the 16th consecutive year motorcyclist from all over New England will join VERMONT THUNDER – in A Tribute to OUR FALLEN BROTHERS & SISTERS and those STILL POW/MIA.
The ride will begin at the newly renovated Sharon Vietnam Veterans Memorial Rest Area, located just North of Exit 1 I 89 (Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway). Coffee and pastries available, and donations appreciated. Staging will begin at 9:00 A.M. with Wreath Laying Ceremonies at 11:A.M. Leaving at 11:30, riders will proceed North on I 89 to EXIT 11 Richmond, Vt.

Hundreds of other motorcyclists already gathered, at the J. HUTCHINS Excavation - RICHMOND RECYCLING CENTER, located on ROGERS LANE, just past the Lucky Spot Variety WEST on Rte 117, will join the Sharon group for the ride to our final destination in ENOSBURG FALLS, site of a visit from the Moving Wall in 1997. The following times are APPROXIMATE so arrive early for this once a year event!

Bikes will depart Richmond at 1:45 P.M. Following Rt.117 to Essex Jct. 5 Corners, arriving approx 2 P.M onto Rt. 2A to Colchester approx. arrival at 2:10.

Then following Rt. 7 to Milton, arriving approx. 2:20,
Rt. 7 to St. Albans then to Enosburg via Rt. 105
with a scheduled arrival of 3:30 in Enosburg Falls
for ceremonies in the park followed by a FREE light lunch at the American Legion.

*****Traffic delays can be expected during these times. *****

SHOW YOUR SUPPORT!! Line the highways, streets and bridges. Bring your family, friends and your flags; remember the TRUE meaning of MEMORIAL DAY!!!

All motorcyclists are welcome!! There’s NO FEE to participate although, we GLADLY ACCEPT DONATIONS. Commemorative patches, rockers, pins, American and POW/MIA Flags will be available for sale in Sharon, Richmond and the American Legion (in Enosburg Falls) or can be purchased by contacting Mike subject “products”.  ALL proceeds benefit Veterans and their families.

For further information visit our web site at www.vt-thunder.org or call Mike (802) 893-1191 or Charlie (802) 234-6333

[Chris Santee]

Vermont Thunder would like to thank the police agencies of Richmond, Essex Jct., Colchester, Milton, and St. Albans as well as the Vermont State Police and Sheriffs Dept for the escort provided us on our 16th annual Thunder Ride. Your presence at all the major intersections insured the over 1000 motorcycles that participated this year, enjoyed a smooth, problem free ride.

We’d also like to thank the thousands of spectators that lined the route from Sharon to Enosburg Falls. The American and POW/MIA Flags flying, and support you’ve shown us is truly amazing and appreciated.

Thanks also go out to Jeff Levesque of Brady & Levesque Funeral Home for providing the lead vehicle, John Baraby for the chase vehicle and the American Legion in Enosburg for the free lunch provided to our riders. See you all May 24, 2009 The Vermont Thunder Crew

[rdmapes]

All,
A couple of us stopped in Georgia to wave flags and join the ride to Enosburg. I uploaded a short clip on YouTube. The video is 6 minutes long. Plenty of bikes left that I did not get on film.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2526qofFCY

Regards,
Ron

[NorthFairfaxBoy]

Thank you.....
A neighbor and good friend of mine rode from Sharon to Waterbury.  I was outside putting in a new door, but I could here the riders go by on the interstate.  Sounded great!