Event helps raise awareness of injured troops

Area motorcyclists plan to ride through Grovetown on Saturday to support injured soldiers.

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More than 600 motorcyclists are expected for Roaring Thunder 2008, coordinated by the American Legion Riders.

The ride will start at the Grovetown Food Lion at 11 a.m. and ride into Fort Gordon, said Art Robb, the event coordinator.

"Motorcycles draw attention and that's good, because that is what we are trying to do, get everyone's attention," Robb said.

The ride is being sponsored by local businesses to raise money for a lodging house that takes care of wounded soldiers' families while they are here in Augusta being treated.

"Fisher House provides a home away from home for wounded warriors," said Robb, a retired U.S. Navy Submarine Service master chief. "The Fort Gordon Fisher House is solely dependent on public support to operate and maintain the facility."

The American Legion Riders in Augusta adopted Fisher House about four years ago as one of their main charities.

The event has turned into a ceremony to honor the wounded, veterans and the businesses that are sponsoring the free event.

There will be entertainment by the rock band Falling In Two, while Rhinehart's, Little Caesars, Dino's Chicago Express and Shane's Rib Shack are providing food to the participants.

Those attending the event include Rob Robinson, a retired U.S. Marine Corps master gunnery sergeant who was awarded five Purple Hearts, and Brig. Gen. Jeff Foley, Fort Gordon's commander.

"We want to make the community aware of Fisher House. It is really and truly a home away from home," Robb said. "We also want to make people aware of our wounded warriors.

"Their lives are completely changed when they come back (from the Middle East) and they tend to get forgotten, and we don't want that to happen."