| Date: | May 26, 2018 |
| Time: | 8:00 - 9:00 AM |
| Venue: | UAW Local 2069 Union Hall |
| Description: |
UAW Local 2069 Veterans Committee presents the 27th Annual UAW Veterans Ride for Freedom Memorial Ceremony / Run to the Wall on Saturday, May 26, 2018 on the front lawn of the UAW Local 2069 Union Hall. The lawn will be filled with veterans from all eras and hundreds of patriots from across the New River Valley. The Ride for Freedom Ceremony includes posting of the colors, speeches, live music, Amazing Grace on bag pipes, taps and a 21-gun and cannon salute honoring and remembering our service members who gave their all. This year’s key note speaker is Retired Chief Warrant Officer Dale Schrader. In 1993, Chief Warrant Officer Schrader took part in Operation Restore Hope in Mogadishu, Somalia. This operation to the public is more commonly known as Black Hawk Down because of the award winning motion picture. Chief Schrader was piloting the second Black Hawk helicopter during their mission when they were struck with a rocket propelled grenade and crashed in the mean streets of Mogadishu. All the crew were killed except the two pilots. Mr. Schrader has an incredible story, he fought gallantly to save his co-pilot and protect the bodies of his comrades who were killed in action. Schrader earned the Silver Star during this action. Veterans Committee chairman, Mark Peterson suggests, "watch Black Hawk Down, get familiar with the story, and come out and meet Mr. Schrader. He is an American hero and icon he tells an amazing storyteller and gives a true and gritty testimony. This is special". In addition, the Auto Workers and Volvo’s truck plant will unveil the 2018 Ride for Freedom veterans tribute truck at the Ride for Freedom / Run to the Wall ceremony. The Ride for Freedom / Run to the Wall will depart the union hall at 9:30 am. Once in Washington DC, the group will join near one million more veterans and patriots and participate in Rolling Thunder, the National POW/MIA demonstration held every Memorial Day weekend. Admission is free and all are welcome. The ceremony is rain or shine. For more information on the event, visit: http://pcpatriot.com/uaw-veterans-set-to-honor-memorial-day/ or https://www.southwesttimes.com/2018/05/ride-to-the-wall-uaw-veterans-committee-and-volvo-trucks-nrv-continues-to-recognize-memorial-day/. For more information on the the UAW Local 2069 Union Hall, visit: https://www.facebook.com/UAW-Local-2069-185967931413505 or call 540-674-5130. |