Thunder Run raises POW/MIA awareness
Pocatello bikers used their motorcycles Monday to remind the community to honor POW/MIA soldiers, helping in several Memorial Day services in the area.
The 2015 Thunder Run started at Century High School at 11 a.m. From there, they went to Lava Hot Springs and Chubbuck before heading back to Pocatello.
“It’s just our way to be ale to still have fun and enjoy our day,” said Heidi Young, director of POW*MIA Awareness Rally Corporation. “(We) get a little throttle therapy in, but still remember what this day is about. It’s not about barbecues and picnics.
POW*MIA hosts the Thunder Run to raise awareness of the issue of POWs and MIA soldiers. Since World War II, the Department of Defense has counted 83,126 still classified as MIA.
Greg DeWall, assistant director of POW*MIA, has been riding in the Thunder Run since 2008. For him, the more services riders can help in, the wider they can spread their message.
“We’re all about raising awareness,” DeWall said. “Part of the reason we use the bikes is to get people’s attention. Once we have their attention, we can hopefully teach somebody. If even one person gets the message, it’s worth it.”
The Thunder Run ended at the closing ceremony for Pocatello’s Field of Heroes at Century High School. Keynote speakers for the ceremony are Miguel Dominic, a Purple Heart recipient, and his son who currently serves in the military.
