2013 Dakota Thunder Run

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Hrair H. Palyan
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. --  A group of more than 200 Airmen, family members and civilian motorcyclists revved their engines outside the Pride Hangar in anticipation of the 13th Annual Dakota Thunder Motorcycle Run, Aug. 6.

The event, hosted by Ellsworth's Green Knights Dakota Thunder Motorcycle Club, began on the flightline after those present had the opportunity to tour and photograph B-1 Static displays.

Before kicking off the nearly 60-mile journey through the Black Hills to downtown Sturgis, Senior Master Sgt. Danny Walker, 28th Logistics Readiness Squadron superintendent, and president of the GKDTMC, approached the stage, welcomed the riders and emphasized the importance of making safety priority one during the trip.

"We've been going on smaller group rides throughout the year," Walker said. "During that time, our more experienced riders have been mentoring our younger and less experienced ones. This whole time our goal has been to make sure this ride is safe and incident free. The safety of our members is my top priority."

As another safety measure, the group from Ellsworth was escorted the entire way by Rapid City, Box Elder and Sturgis police departments and state patrol.

Airman 1st Class Colby Frazier, a 28th Maintenance Squadron fuel system repair technician, who has been riding for five years, said he was excited to see just how many bikers came down to the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.

"There's a lot of leather and a lot of bikes out here," Frazier said. "I have been waiting a while for this week. This is definitely the biggest run I've participated in."

At the culmination of the ride, the group was greeted by Mark Carstensen, Sturgis mayor, who began the day's celebration by expressing his gratitude for the veterans in attendance.

"We honor veterans every year during the rally's military appreciation day," Carstensen explained. "This year is special because we're also honoring Ernest Miller... a native of Sturgis and a World War II veteran."

Miller was drafted by the Army in 1945 and attended basic training at Ft. Lee, Virginia. After completing basic training, he was sent to Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Md., where he trained to be an ordinance department bomb and ammunition disposal technician.

During his time in the Army, he was stationed overseas in the Philippine Islands and the Pacific Theater in Japan before returning home in the fall of 1946.

Carstensen then introduced Col. Gentry Boswell, 28th Bomb Wing vice commander, who presented Miller with an honorary plaque on behalf of all Ellsworth Airmen and thanked him for his service to our country.

"It's exciting because all the servicemembers here are true heroes," Carstensen added. "They deserve to be shown some respect and appreciation for all that they do. That's why today is so important to our community."