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Charles Olivieri and his flock at Spotsylvania's Seventh Day Adventist Church will ride into Washington in tribute to Vietnam veterans. |
WHEN PASTOR Charles Olivieri sets out to save souls and salve his own on this Sunday, he won't be wearing a church collar or hopping into the family sedan.
Instead, he'll slip into a black leather jacket, strap on his white, bowllike helmet and swing a leg up over his long, sleek Harley Davidson Springer Softtail.
Turning the key to get his motor running and unleash the bike's thunderous 1340 cc engine, Olivieri will say a quick prayer and then ease out onto State Route 3.
Following him will be a long line of Christian bikers who've spent the earlier part of the weekend praising God at his Fredericksburg Seventh Day Adventist Church in Chancellor.
As a group, they'll ride north on Interstate 95 to join the hundreds of thousands of other bikers from across the country taking part in Rolling Thunder, an event honoring Vietnam veterans with a huge group visit
to the Memorial Wall in D.C.
Olivieri said the Friday-night and Saturday activities at the church, to include inspirational talks, musical entertainment and mealtime fellowship, have been combined with the Rolling Thunder ride to create an event the church is calling "Cross Roads Rally 2001."
It's billed as a time for those who enjoy motorcycles and Christian sharing to join in a weekend designed to honor both the sacrifice of Vietnam's MIA's and POW's and the "ultimate sacrifice" God made of his only son.
"Rolling Thunder is about honoring soldiers in Vietnam who made the ultimate sacrifice, those who were killed and those MIAs and POWs we should never forget," said Olivieri. "With this weekend event, we also take it into the Christian realm and talk about the sacrifice made to save our souls."
Olivieri makes no bones about enjoying the chance to ride the motorcycle that was a Father's Day gift from his kids a few years back. But he said he also sees the bike-centered weekend as a chance for two very serious objectives:
As a Vietnam vet himself, in the Navy on an aircraft carrier based in the war zone in 1967 and 1968, he wants to be part of this national event that honors those who fought and those didn't make it back from the war.
As a pastor, charged with saving souls from all walks of life, he sees it as an opportunity to make connections with those who haven't yet heard the good word.
"In our church, we talk a lot about how acceptance paves the way to influence," said Olivieri. "Too often, we separate ourselves from people. This weekend and this ride is a chance to connect with people who just might be receptive to God's word."
To honor Vietnam vets and show his own part in the war, the Harley that Olivieri will ride to the Wall will carry MIA and POW flag. Its gas tanks are decorated with painted scenes from the war
--a soldier and map of Vietnam on one side and a POW and prison camp tower on the other.
"And my kickstand, made for me by one of my parishioners,
is shaped like an M-16," said Olivieri. "I doubt I'll see many others like it on the ride."
While the ride and the weekend of fellowship leading up to it will be mostly upbeat, there will be a sad and emotional component for Olivieri and the other riders.
"Like most, I'll be remembering friends who didn't come back," said Olivieri, "especially one I had from childhood. He died when he picked up a baby who turned out to be mined. I haven't been able until now to visit his name on the Wall."
Olivieri and other organizers at his church don't have an exact count yet on those who'll attend "Cross Roads Rally" this Memorial Day weekend, though, from preregistrations and word of mouth, he estimates there will be between 75 and 200 participants.
A strict alcohol and tobacco prohibition is in place, but Olivieri said he doesn't think there will be many problems.
"I think many of those coming will be like me, excited to share in this sort of gathering here and then eager to ride together up to the Wall," he said. "We hope it's the first of many to come."
For more information about the Cross Roads Rally, call 540/786-1874 or 540/399-9077.
