Campbell, 40, of Anderson shot a video of the motorcyclists as they drove away to deliver items to veterans at the Richard M. Campbell Veterans Nursing Home. Those items included sweatshirts, pants, socks, books and board games.
Campbell is a member of the Cloud of Thunder Motorcycle Ministry in Anderson, which is one of the groups that participated in the ride.
“The vets need the help,” she said. “A lot of bikers put this on for them.”
The event was sponsored by the Teufelshunde U.S. Marine Corps Motorcycle Club of Anderson County. Sunday, there were 2,000 people, including riders and supporters, gathered at the nursing home for the event, said Randy Price, road captain of the motorcycle club.
The event also raised $2,000 for the nursing home through donations and and the sale of items, including food.
The Anderson County Young Marines provided the colors for the event outside the nursing home and the Sons of Confederate Veterans blew a 21-gun salute. Members of the Flying Tigers Skydiving Team parachuted into the event.
This year’s bike ride was held in honor of Calvin “Ed” Fitzgerald of Anderson, an Army veteran who fought in Vietnam. Fitzgerald was a veteran at the nursing home and became ill a few years ago. He asked to see motorcycles before he died in 2006. His request created the event, Price said.
Price said that he was pleased with the turnout on Sunday.
“This shows the camaraderie the vets have,” he said. “We should never take our freedoms for granted.”
Sherry Fleming, recreation director at Richard Campbell Veterans Nursing Home, said patients will use the donated items throughout the year. She said they have been looking forward to the event for a while.
“A lot of them really like it,” she said. “They enjoy seeing the bikes come out and talking to the riders.”
Rider Jerry Bostic, 62, of Pendleton sat on a lawn chair with his wife, Jane, outside the nursing home as they watched the event. He said he is a Army veteran who fought in the Vietnam War.
Bostic said that it was a wonderful event.
“I enjoyed it thoroughly,” he said. “I’m a veteran and I support the veterans. I thought coming out would be showing my support.”
Angela Stringer, a spokesperson for Anderson County government, said she was impressed with the bike ride and ceremony.
“It is great to see this many bikes and people support this and know this many people in the county appreciate the debt that was paid,” she said.
Richard “Papa Smurf” Taylor, president of Cloud of Thunder Motorcycle Ministry, said that 25 people from his ministry came out for the ceremony. Members of his church made a large clothing donation to the nursing home.
Taylor also participated in the motorcycle ride on Sunday.
“It was wonderful,” he said. “It was one of the greatest feelings in the world.”
Photo Gallery
You Are Not Forgotten bike ride
Several hundred motorcyclists rode from the Anderson County War Memorial to the Richard M. Campbell Veterans Nursing Home on Sunday in support of veterans.
Motorcyclists rumble through downtown Anderson on their way to Richard M. Campbell Veterans Nursing Home during the "You Are Not Forgotten" bike ride on Sunday.
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