Re: Thunderous Noise Made for POW-MIAs

Date: June 24, 2004

"Thunderous noise made for MIAs

By David Harsanyi
Denver Post Columnist

The president of the Colorado Chapter of Rolling Thunder goes out of his way to caution me about labeling his group a biker gang or motorcycle club.

No worries. For reasons of self-preservation, I avoid arguments with leather-wearing, Harley-riding bikers. Besides, Rick "Scooter" Holt has more pressing issues on his mind than beating me to a pulp.

Rolling Thunder is an advocacy group dedicated to creating awareness of POW/MIA issues, promoting legislation to increase veterans benefits, volunteering time, providing food and clothing to veterans and local communities.

How serious is Holt about his mission? Well, how many bikers do you know who employ a legislative affairs director?

As a national organization, Rolling Thunder has more than 90 chapters and for the past 15 years has announced its arrival in Washington, D.C., with the menacing roar of thousands of motorcycles - a sound akin to the 1965 bombing campaign against North Vietnam, named Operation Rolling Thunder.

Holt's ties to the military are extensive. His father put in 27 years, serving in World War II, Korea and Vietnam. His brother is a Vietnam vet.

"I started this chapter because of what Rolling Thunder stands for," says Holt, himself an Air Force veteran, although too young to serve in Vietnam. "I do it for my dad, for my brother, and for many men I knew growing up in the military."
Last month, national members of Rolling Thunder spent three days honoring veterans and took the time to endorse President Bush. National president Artie Muller took a well-publicized tour of the White House in full biker garb.

That didn't exactly sit well with the Colorado chapter.

They welcome the publicity surrounding the event, sure, but Holt remains obstinately apolitical, vigilantly avoiding the acrimony of this - or any - election.

A recent CBS News Poll found that veterans favor Bush over Kerry 54 to 40 percent.

Why the wide margin?

Many veterans remember Kerry's reckless and unsubstantiated accusations about the behavior of American soldiers after his return from Vietnam, his votes cutting military spending and his opposition to almost every major weapons systems currently utilized.

Kerry also upset many veterans with his vote last year against an $87 billion funding bill for military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan - after voting to send troops there in the first place.

Rolling Thunder members agree that many of Kerry's actions make him unattractive, but the Colorado chapter feels that by making any endorsement, they undercut the group's principal objective: bringing attention to the issue of missing soldiers.

"One thing we want to make clear: People tend to view the POW/MIAs as solely a Vietnam area issue," points out Colorado chapter legislative director Rob Davison. "That is a perception we need to change."

Rolling Thunder is doing its part.

Scott Speicher, missing since the first Gulf War, had his status changed from dead to missing and then to prisoner of war, in part, because of the work of the advocacy group.

They hope to bring similar awareness to names like Keith Maupin, Timothy Bell and William Bradley - all currently missing in Iraq.

"An American is beheaded by insurgents, and we hear about it for a week, then it's gone. The abuse in Abu Ghraib is still in the news," says Holt. "Granted, it was awful, and we need to condemn it, but we have to put it in perspective."

So, the Colorado chapter does its best to keep the focus on what's important.

"Our main concern is making sure that the soldiers are not forgotten," says Holt. "To make sure they are supported now and to make sure veterans always get the support they need. If anybody has earned that right, they have."

David Harsanyi's column appears Monday and Thursday. He can be reached at 303-820-1255 or dharsanyi@denverpost.com .

©2004 The Denver Post"