Brotherhood

Marine Veteran Staff Sergeant Tim Chambers salutes a pair of fellow veterans during this year's Rolling Thunder protest.

Each year, on the Sun...
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Marine Veteran Staff Sergeant Tim Chambers salutes a pair of fellow veterans during this year's Rolling Thunder protest.

Each year, on the Sunday before memorial day, Rolling Thunder takes place on the streets of Washington, DC, starting at the Pentagon in Virginia and proceeding past the White House and Capitol Building, before ending back at the Vietnam Wall. Rolling Thunder was started 30 years ago to protest the lack of accountability of thousands of POW and MIA in the Vietnam Conflict. It's name stems from the sound of an endless motorcade of often more than a million motorcycles and pays homage to the defoliation operation of the same name.

SSgt Chambers was inspired in 2002 by this show of patriots, veterans, and gold star families to jump off the curb and render a salute until each one of them had passed. He has returned each year since then in his dress blues. For several hours, from the opening motorcade until the last bike, Chambers holds his salute in respect for those who are doing their part to bring closure to the families of KIA-MIA-POW, as well as those who continue to fight for veterans in need of support. He has endured harsh heat, glaring sunlight, and this year torrential rain. He has also become a national icon known as The Saluting Marine.

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