‘My father … someone I can really look up to’

Rolling Thunder has always been a big part of our lives, our whole family. I was just a little boy when we were going down to D.C. for the POW/MIA issue.

My father was in the Army, and I was taught to honor the military, support the troops, support the POW/MIA issue and remember the people who died in the wars. Seeing all the motorcycles, going on for years and years, like 32 years now? And when I got older, I got a bike and rode down too. [The Ride] is a feeling inside your heart; it makes you feel really good although it’s hard to explain.

Yes, it’s been a passion for my father. He just dedicates his whole life to helping other people — when they come back from the wars, the organization tries to help people out, help them get back on their feet.

My father is someone really special to me, someone I can really look up to. He’s dedicating himself to this issue and helping other people. He’s always busy working. Everytime you go over there, he’s in his basement in his office, talking to people, doing paperwork. It’s a full-time job for him and he does it all from his heart. He doesn’t get paid for anything at all. You’ve got to be special [to do that]. How many people want to give up their life for others?

After this year, the Rides will be more local — all the states can do something on the same day, same time. It will be great publicity in another way. It will be spread out more and even more people will come.