UAW Local 2069 Veterans Committee cordially invites you and your guests to attend the 18th Annual UAW Veterans Ride for Freedom Memorial Ceremony/Run to the Wall.

On Saturday, May 23rd, at 8:00 am, the front lawn of the union hall of UAW Local 2069 (across from the Volvo Truck Plant) will be filled with veterans from all eras and hundreds of patriots from all over the New River Valley. The Ride for Freedom Ceremony includes posting of the colors, live music, Amazing Grace on bag pipes, taps and a 21-gun salute to those who gave the greatest measure of sacrifice--their life, for the principles of Freedom, God and Country.

Speaking this year will be Reverend Michael Honaker, who pastors the River of Life church in Dublin Va. Rev. Honaker also serves the Commonwealth as a State Police First Sergeant and is a Chaplin for the State Police as well. Rev. Honaker also served our country as a U.S. Marine. Also speaking is Mr. Donald West of Christiansburg Va. Mr. West served in the U.S. Navy as a enlisted member and then had a long career in the Military Sealift Command, both are outstanding citizens and patriots, and will have special Memorial Day and patriotic message to share.

Just recently confirmed and in addition were honored to have as a special guest speaker, Infantry Captain Phillip Schneider, from the U.S. Army. Captain Schneider recently served in the more troubled and hostile areas of Iraq and has already had a distinguished gallant career and earned several Medals of Valor. Captain Schneider was first in his graduating class at the Citadel and upholds the highest standards and creed of the American Infantry Soldier.

The ceremony is as important as the Ride for Freedom, as it’s here we get to share with the community our support for our military, our veterans, as well as pay homage and reverence for those who gave the supreme sacrifice.

The Veterans Committee also recognizes Memorial Day as we also host the Ride for Freedom/ Run to the Wall. This is the annual ride to our nation's capital after the ceremony. We're proud to host 200 + strong from the NRV and area states who will participate with over 700,000 other patriots in the national POW*MIA Rally, Rolling Thunder®, and pay our respects and remembrance at the sacred grounds of our country's war memorials. It’s an exciting weekend, but not one without honor, reverence and respect to those who laid down their life for the freedoms we all enjoy here in the greatest country in the world.

Over the many years, we have had the opportunity to share special memories and bring many of our citizens together to honor our American service men and women who gave their all. We, too, feel veterans are our greatest citizens and provide us the freedom to assemble on this grand morning, as they do all our freedoms. This responsibility we do not take lightly. We take great pride and we're humbled to have another opportunity to share this wonderful morning with the NRV and hope you will also take the moment to experience the UAW Veterans Ride for Freedom Memorial Ceremony and Run to the Wall.

The one hour ceremony will be on Saturday, May 23, at 8 am sharp, rain or shine. The Ride for Freedom/Run to the Wall will depart the union hall at 9:30 sharp.

So Proudly, We Still Serve.
Mark C. Peterson
Chairman, UAW Local 2069
Veterans Committee