Rolling Thunder Saloon to host fundraiser April 14

On Saturday, April 14, The Rolling Thunder Saloon in Odessa will play host to the first fundraising event for the National Motorcycle Riders Memorial Association (NMRM), a non-profit organization established in January 2012.

The group has planned a full day of events, including an auction, a local band in the afternoon, live comedy and an evening of blues by the Vaughn Jensen Band from the Tri-Cities. Auction items include unique accessories and a vintage motorcycle.

The solo mission of the NMRM is to "create and maintain a national memorial dedicated to all fallen riders." The group hopes to obtain a permanent site in Eastern Washington for a physical memorial.

The idea for the memorial began in 2001, when two riders at an annual event near Steptoe, Wash. approached the property owner and event organizer about placing a memorial marker for a rider (and previous event participant) who had recently lost his life. The property owner agreed, and as of 2012, fifty-five memorial markers are situated on the hill above the event site. This interest, in turn led to the idea for a lasting memorial site where riders from all over the country could memorialize friends and loved ones who held a passion for motorcycling.

The group is in the process of locating and obtaining a permanent site; in the meantime they will soon have a "virtual memorial site" available online, where information about fallen riders can be entered.

More information about the NMRM and the April 14 event in available online at their website http://www.nmrm.memberlodge.org