Thousands of bikes staged in the Pentagon parking lot early that Sunday morning As we pulled out of the lot & onto the roadway, people line the streets waving flags & signs cheering support. As we crossed the Memorial Bridge into D C, the crowds grew larger and louder, and when we turned left past the Lincoln Memorial, we approached a lone Marine in full dress uniform standing holding a crisp salute as we rode by. I would later find that his name was Staff Sergeant Tim Chambers, and that his presence was not sanctioned by the U. S. Marine Corps, but was instead, his way of honoring all veterans.
For several years he, while stationed in Washington D C, would wear his uniform while watching Rolling Thunder... talking to veterans and families, listening to stories. Then in 2002, he took his post, giving a salute to the riders. He has returned each year, and each year he has stood saluting until the last rider has past.
Well, our route continued down Constitution Avenue and past the Washington Monument, to the river ending in a ball field near the Korean War Memorial. Debbie & I took some time to visit both the Korean and Vietnam Memorials before returning to the parade route to watch as the last few bikes rolled in. We ended up near the spot where the Marine, Tim Chambers, had been standing. Sure enough, there he stood, in the heat, no water, never faltering, never wavering until the final rider had passed... more than 3 hours after the parade began.
As we watched, it seemed that his knees would begin to buckle, or his arm would quiver... but only for a second before he would re-group, often spurred on by returned salutes from riders, or shouts of "Semper Fi", which I now am told is a Marine motto meaning "Always Faithful".
Of all we saw this weekend...all the monuments & memorials... none were more moving, none more memorable than this tribute by a single United States Marine.
For several years he, while stationed in Washington D C, would wear his uniform while watching Rolling Thunder... talking to veterans and families, listening to stories. Then in 2002, he took his post, giving a salute to the riders. He has returned each year, and each year he has stood saluting until the last rider has past.
Well, our route continued down Constitution Avenue and past the Washington Monument, to the river ending in a ball field near the Korean War Memorial. Debbie & I took some time to visit both the Korean and Vietnam Memorials before returning to the parade route to watch as the last few bikes rolled in. We ended up near the spot where the Marine, Tim Chambers, had been standing. Sure enough, there he stood, in the heat, no water, never faltering, never wavering until the final rider had passed... more than 3 hours after the parade began.
As we watched, it seemed that his knees would begin to buckle, or his arm would quiver... but only for a second before he would re-group, often spurred on by returned salutes from riders, or shouts of "Semper Fi", which I now am told is a Marine motto meaning "Always Faithful".
Of all we saw this weekend...all the monuments & memorials... none were more moving, none more memorable than this tribute by a single United States Marine.
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