By Vicki Prichard
NKy Tribune Reporter
The 8th annual Rolling Thunder POW/MIA Memorial Ride rolled through Northern Kentucky Wednesday, routing its way from the Army Reserve Center in Fort Thomas to The World Peace Bell in Newport.
On a national level, Rolling Thunder Run originated with Vietnam veteran Ray Manzo to bring attention to prisoners of war (POWs) and members of the military who were missing in action (MIAs). The first run took place during Memorial Day weekend in 1988, with roughly 2500 motorcycles and riders demanding that the U.S. government account for all POW/MIAs. Today it has more than a million riders. Today, more than 100 local Rolling Thunder chapters exist and the national event attracts more than 900,000 riders.
The Northern Kentucky event began in 2009 with a 13-year-old boy who had a lot of admiration for a “charismatic” veteran was a substitute teacher at Highland Heights High School.
“I was inspired by none other than Chief Pinney,” says Hempleman. “Every single kid that was here knows Chief Pinney.”
“Chief” Hunter Pinney, a veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard, substitutes throughout the Fort Thomas schools.
“He goes from elementary, middle school and high school, making friends everywhere he goes,” says Hempleman. “The man’s got a million good qualities.”
Hempleman, whose mother Kim is a nurse at the Veterans Administration hospital, was drawn to Pinney’s evident passion in the stories he shared about veterans and war when he would substitute for the high school U.S. history class.
“It all started when I heard he was going to Rolling Thunder and I wanted to help out,” says Hempleman. “I loved the cause. I’ve grown up with veterans, I’ve helped out at the VA my entire life and wanted to get involved, and Chief brought that out.”
Hempleman enlisted help from his mother who is also auxiliary commander for the DAV Auxiliary group chapter in Fort Thomas, to plan an event that would raise money for Pinney’s ride as well as a celebratory send-off.
“She saw the potential and she’s helped me out so much,” says Templeman.
Keeping it all in the family, this year, Hempleman’s sister Kate, who is Commander of the Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary Unit #19, organized the event.
The first year saw maybe fifteen bikes turnout for the event. Since that time the event has grown exponentially, says Hempleman. He told the crowd of veterans, bikers and supporters at Wednesday’s event that they are the reason the event is a success.
“If it wasn’t for you, coming out today and showing support – bringing this to the community’s attention – it would just be some kid riding alone on a motorcycle trying to do it, and that doesn’t work,” says Hempleman.
Before the engines turned and wheels rolled, The Fatman, from radio station 97.3 The Wolf, moderated a brief ceremony recognizing veterans and those who support them.
“We never want to forget our boys who didn’t come home – the list is too long, and there are many from our community,” Kim Hempleman told the crowd.
She introduced representatives from Blue Star Mothers of America and Killed in Action Families of America who presented a token of appreciation to Army veteran, James Reilly, president of Chapter 9 Rolling Thunder.
The crowd applauded WWII veteran Ken Hitch, who was presented with a birthday cake in celebration of his 95th birthday.
Hempleman says the event has grown exponentially over the years.
“It’s so rewarding to see everyone turn out like this,” says Hempleman. “When you go by the schools and see all the kids on the sidewalks with flags and signs, that’s when it really hits home.”