Proceeds were raised from the Poker Run held on Saturday, May 28, 2022.
RIVERSIDE, CALIFORNIA — The West Coast Thunder Foundation has donated $4,000 to support the construction of the American Indian Veterans Memorial at Riverside National Cemetery.
The donation stems from participation in the foundation’s annual Memorial Day Weekend event, the West Coast Thunder Poker Run, on Saturday, May 28, 2022.
“We are thankful to our riders who participated in our annual Poker Run over Memorial Day weekend,” Jackson Dodd, Executive Director of the West Coast Thunder Foundation, said.“We were able to raise $4,000 and contribute those funds directly towards building the American Indian Veterans Memorial at Riverside National Cemetery.”
The memorial will feature a plaza and walkway centered around “The Gift,” a bronze statue representing an American Indian. This new memorial will stand to further enhance the Veterans Legacy Program to educate youth on the lives of these heroes who have served in the United States Armed Forces.
Funding for the memorial will be raised by the Riverside National Cemetery Support Committee.
Due to restrictions surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, the nonprofit was unable to produce the West Coast Thunder Motorcycle Ride for three years and plans to bring the event back to the community in 2023.
“Planning our event takes an extraordinary amount of resources, working with partners across both public and private sectors,” Dodd added. “We are excited to be building towards our ride in 2023.”
The foundation previously announced it was working on smaller, more intimate events for this year.
“The Poker Run was just one of the events we were able to produce this year and we are continuing to explore bringing more events to the motorcycle community in 2022,” Dodd said.
Apart from events, the foundation continues to work towards honoring those who gave the ultimate sacrifice by providing flower cones, memorial repairs, and other ancillary services, including purchasing golf carts for the Riverside National Cemetery.
Donations to support their cause can be made at westcoastthunder.com.
About West Coast Thunder Foundation: West Coast Thunder is a tax-exempt, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to honoring those who gave all. Proceeds from the West Coast Thunder events benefit the Riverside National Cemetery Support Committee via the West Coast Thunder Foundation.
Since 2000, West Coast Thunder has been the major contributor of funds to Riverside National Cemetery, the largest in the United States National Cemetery System. The foundation has begun funding the construction of the American Indian Veterans Memorial at Riverside National Cemetery, which broke ground in 2020. Past projects have included the construction of the National POW / MIA Memorial (dedicated in 2005), repairs to the Medal of Honor Memorial, financial support to the Riverside National Cemetery Memorial Honor Detail, and funding each July for the Concert for Heroes.
About Riverside National Cemetery: Now covering 1,250 acres, Riverside National Cemetery is the largest and busiest cemetery managed by the VA’s National Cemetery Administration. The cemetery was established in 1976 through the transfer of 740 acres from March Air Force Base. The cemetery was dedicated and opened for burials on November 11, 1978.
About Riverside National Cemetery Support Committee: Riverside National Cemetery Support Committee is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to provide upkeep and support to the Riverside National Cemetery. They provide activities for veterans, their families and friends, and the community. The RNCSC also raises funding to create monuments, purchase needed equipment, and provide services for events and the dedicated staff that work at Riverside National Cemetery.