Blessing of the Bikes kicks off Rolling to Remember
WASHINGTON (DC News Now) — As many head out of town for Memorial Day, thousands of motorcycles will be in D.C. this weekend.
Their purpose was to honor the true meaning of Memorial Day, remembering veterans who sacrificed for this country.
Memorial Day celebrations, observances in DC, Maryland, Virginia
On Friday afternoon, dozens gathered at the Washington National Cathedral for the Blessing of the Bikes.
Riders from across the country drove hundreds of miles to be in D.C. Many said Friday’s blessing is a meaningful kickoff to the weekend’s main event.
Under the spires of the Washington National Cathedral, veterans the country has lost were remembered.
“Almighty God, we thank you for all those who have served this nation. We ask your special blessings upon all Americans who are missing in action or prisoners of war,” a speaker said during the event.
It’s the first event of the weekend for Rolling to Remember, bringing thousands of motorcyclists into D.C. for a demonstration ride on Sunday.
“When you’re riding a bike it’s dangerous so any blessing you can get you need it,” said Natalie Cummings, national president of AMVETS Riders.
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Cummings, the first national female president, said everyone in her family has served.
Memorial Day is about “just remembering them and honoring them,” she said. “I like that the AMVETS, we added on the 22 a day so it brings awareness for suicide awareness and suicide. I lost my son to suicide so this weekend I’ll be riding for him.”
From Iowa to Georgia, motorcyclists are here with a purpose.
“To show your respect for veterans and everything that everybody has done for this country,” said Kevin Goss.
Those missing in action and prisoners of war are not forgotten here. Organizers have been on a decades-long mission for accountability.
“Bringing the remains back home identified and getting the funding for that,” said Jeremiah Botkin, national chaplain with AMVETS Riders.
“When we go on this ride you know what we’re here for. It’s touching. It means everything to them to be remembered and honored that they served our country and that’s what we should be remembering this weekend,” Cummings said.
DMV travelers hit the road for Memorial Day weekend
There will be a significant amount of road closures on Sunday.
The demonstration ride is Sunday at noon, starting at the Pentagon and then heading east on Constitution Avenue along the National Mall toward the Capitol and back west along Independence Avenue.
For more information about the ride, click here.
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