9/11 Run "Remember" -- September 11, 2010
It is not enough to read once or to change the channel or to hear it so many times on the news that we dull ourselves to the events of this past decade. We must take a step to remember and embrace that we all come from various parts of the world and backgrounds and in the end those who died were those that lived and we loved, laughed, and cried with them. We are now left to remember them. The many soldiers, civilians, and emergency personal who have died were a band of brothers and sisters for me and you. I want to thank you in advance for taking time out to take notice of the story of our 9/11 run and to see the events and the project below.
The Rolling Thunder Saloon is veteran owned by myself and my brother we both served in Dessert Storm and I more recently in Afghanistan and Iraq. We are both active bikers working with many clubs and events. The Rolling Thunder Saloon is a hundred year old tavern with beautiful high ceilings, vintage murals on the walls, rustic bar, and beautiful hard wood floors with even a few motorcycle burn-out marks on the floor!
Sitting at the bar you can feel the 100 years of history. The spirits of pioneers who braved life on the land to make a name and a place for the great State we are today. It seemed fitting that we were the ones to buy this "ghost" saloon and give it life again. We are filling it up with a new set of brave men and women.
The murals alone are worth the trip, however the people are worth the conversations.
The Saloon is located in a small wheat farming community with primarily Russian and German heritage. The town has a population of 830 people rural and city. It is called Odessa and is located in Eastern Washington. The name Odessa is derived from Odysseus, which has taken on the connotative meaning of wandering, traveling adventure in honor of the famous voyage in Homer's epic The Odyssey.
The Rolling Thunder Saloon also has a gallery in the back that we affectionately call the "Garage" we have on display a nice collection of vintage motorcycles. Norton, HD Sprints, Pentin, Husqivarna and more, while still maintaining the original atmosphere of 100 years ago.
The 9/11 Run has been created to keep the remembrance of 9/11 and the events after with this war. Many tend to not forget but set aside the feelings and the thoughts associated with the tragedy. Having spent time in Afghanistan, and having lost friends there and in the local EMS community (4 coworkers in an Airlift Helicopter crash in Seattle), we always do something special on the anniversary of the attacks.
Having this event at the Rolling Thunder Saloon has helped us to find a place for the toast and the tears and the laughter needed to keep the memories of those we lost alive and shared and felt by others.
The "9/11 Run" -- We are gonna have a lot of fun, and shed a few tears. Each year we pick one fallen soldier -- to honor all those whom we have lost. If you have a loved one that you would like us to honor this year -- please contact us and let us know.
Ride to the Rolling Thunder Saloon and Remember.
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Previous fallen soldiers honored at the 9/11 Rememberance Run:
