April 25, 2024
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Hundreds of motorcyclists set to cross Lake, McHenry counties for Thunder Run

Thunder Run seeks to raise POW/MIA awareness, generate funding for veteran services projects

By Northwest Herald staff report
Motorcycles are staged outside the James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center before the 2019 Thunder Run to raise awareness for MIAs and POWs. This year’s event is the 19th annual and is scheduled for Sept. 19.

Motorcycles are staged outside the James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center before the 2019 Thunder Run to raise awareness for MIAs and POWs. This year’s event is the 19th annual and is scheduled for Sept. 19. (Provided by Rolling Thunder Illinois Chapter 2)

Hundreds of motorcyclists are set to travel from North Chicago to Woodstock to raise awareness for prisoners of war and those missing in action as well as funding for veteran services projects.

The 19th annual Thunder Run kicks off at 11 a.m. Sunday at the James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center, 3001 Green Bay Road in North Chicago, and ends about 12:30 p.m. at the Woodstock Harley-Davidson, 2235 S. Eastwood Drive, according to a news release.

Coordinated by Rolling Thunder Illinois Chapter 2, the event also seeks to reminds government officials that much work remains to recover the tens of thousands still listed as prisoners of war or missing in action, U.S. Army retired Col. Wayne Kirkpatrick said in a statement.

Motorcyclists will begin to assemble at 8 a.m. at the Lovell Federal Health Care Center before departing on their police-escorted ride at 11 a.m., according to the release. They’ll follow a 40-mile route through North Chicago, Green Oaks, Libertyville, Volo, Lakemoor, McHenry and Bull Valley en route to Woodstock Harley-Davidson, 2235 S. Eastwood Drive, where participants can enjoy a lunch and raffles.

The cost to join in the rain-or-shine ride is $20 per motorcyclist and $10 per passenger.

This is Rolling Thunder’s primary fundraising event of the year, according to the release. Proceeds are earmarked for POW/MIA education efforts, MIA repatriation events, remembrance table ceremonies, the granting of final requests from terminal patients at Lovell, grants to Veterans Path to Hope (formerly TLS Veterans) as well as other initiatives.

“It’s a somber, patriotic event that does tremendous good with the monies raised,” said Richard Lanute, president of Rolling Thunder Illinois Chapter 2, one of about 90 chapters of the nonprofit that exist across the country. “Motorcyclists need not be members to participate, and we encourage all to consider joining us on the 19th.”

Information is available at www.rollingthunderIL2.org.