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Patriot Thunder ride to Mountain Home set for June 2
Hundreds of motorcycles are expected to roll through Mountain Home the morning of June 2 during a yearly observance aimed at showing appreciation for those who serve their nation.
Celebrating its fourth year, Patriot Thunder represents the state's premier military family charity motorcycle event that directly helps service members, veterans and their families, said Bruce Wong, a spokesman with the yearly event.
Combined, the organization is hoping to host 1,000 riders this year and give back to those that have given so much in service to their country, Wong said.
In addition, representatives are asking those in the Mountain Home community to come out in force and show their support for the riders along their route through town.
The event will begin at 11 a.m. that day at the High Desert Harley Davidson in Meridian with a formal honor guard flag presentation, the singing of the National Anthem and a World War II heritage aircraft fly over. The Idaho National Guard's howitzer will fire to mark the event's "shotgun" start.
Under escort by city, county and state law enforcement officers, riders will arrive at Mountain Home around noon that day. Leaving the interstate at Exit 95, the procession will turn onto East 8th North Street and continue down the road to Carl Miller Park. Their arrival in Mountain Home will mark the midpoint stop on their annual journey.
Hamburgers, hot dogs and other refreshments will be sold at the park starting at 11 a.m. that day. Proceeds will benefit the Patriot Thunder effort.
As part of this year's presentations and comments from local community and military leaders, representatives from the Mountain Home Chamber of Commerce will also highlight a new military memorial under construction at the city park. The chamber initiative will redesign the pedestal of the F-111 aircraft display at Carl Miller Park as a lasting tribute to those who currently serve or previous were part of the U.S. armed forces.
Following the presentations, the riders are expected to drive down American Legion Boulevard to Sunset C where they'll reenter the interstate at Milepost 90. The Patriot Thunder event will conclude at the Nampa Warhawk Museum.
The event also coincides with the anniversary of the D-Day invasion of Normandy during World War II, Wong added. He expects the event to feature World War II heritage displays as well as participation by the state's D-Day veterans.
In 2012, a procession of more than 750 motorcycles stretched along the interstate for nearly seven miles as the 800 riders and passengers made the trek from Boise to Mountain Home.
The veterans' charity raised approximately $26,000 that year. These funds went to benefit groups like The Wyakin Warrior organization, Idaho National Guard and Reserve Family Support Fund as well as Operation Warmheart at Mountain Home Air Force Base.
Organizers distributed proceeds between these charities, each of which focuses on caring for military families across the state, said Todd Godfrey, a group spokesperson.
"This is about giving back to those who serve," Godfrey said in a previous interview with the Mountain Home News. "There's no one better to give back to than those who serve in the U.S. military."
In addition to raising awareness regarding the sacrifices so many have made and are making to assure our freedoms, organizers hope to raise more than $30,000 during this year's ride, Wong said.
For more information, contact Godfrey at 338-5599 of via e-mail at tgodfrey@highdeserthd.com, Wong at 860-9147 or Paul Daigle at 860-5940 or via e-mail at pdaigleid@aol.com.