Last weekend, twelve of us Christian Motorcyclist Association (CMA) Albany, Cobleskill, and Oneonta, NY members made their way down from Albany to Washington DC to attend the 26th annual Rolling Thunder demonstration. On Sunday, we participated in the event, with approximately 700,000 other bikers from all parts of the US and Canada.

For us, and many others, the 420 mile ride down on Friday was cold, wet, and windy – reminding us that we are at heart bikers, but also amplified the sacrifice that we were making to attend this important event.

The memorials and events that we saw and participated in over the weekend (Arlington Cemetery, The Wall, WWI, WWII, Korean War Memorials, and the demonstration ride itself) reminded us we are and must remain grateful to those who gave their lives, in some small way or in the ultimate sacrifice, for our freedom and country. The 25 or so CMA chapters giving out free water, coffee, snacks, bibles, tracts, and personal needs items (throughout DC over the weekend, but especially at the Pentagon Parking Lot, where we waited 5 hours, and others even longer for the event to start) reminded us of the sacrificial giving of Christ, and the model we are to follow – freely ye have received, freely give (Matthew 10:8).

A number of friends from other motorcycle organizations joined us on the way back, swelling our ranks. The ride on Monday (a beautiful sunny, warm but not hot day) through Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and New York was picture perfect – reminded us that we live in a truly beautiful and free nation.

And the weekend as a whole reminded us that God is indeed good and has truly blessed us with great family and friends! Many opportunities occurred for praying and sharing the love of Christ, in in both big and small ways. Our thanks to God for a safe, 1000 mile weekend for us all!

Bob Semp
Chaplain, Crossroad Riders of NY CMA