'Blessing of the Bikes' Set for Friday at National Cathedral

Later this week, as Memorial Day weekend nears in the DC area, you're sure to be hearing the roaring sounds of Rolling Thunder.

The motorcycle-riding members of Rolling Thunder will kick things off Friday with a blessing at the National Cathedral. Members of Rolling Thunder are veterans and non-veterans, young and old, according to their Web site.

The Very Rev. Gary Hall, dean of the cathedral and the Right Rev. Jay Magness, bishop suffragan for Armed Services & Federal Ministries, will bless the bikes Friday at 5 p.m. in a brief ceremony on Walker Court at the cathedral.

Also in attendance will be the Rev. Dr. Wally Jensen, executive officer of the Office of the Bishop to Armed Services and Federal Ministries of the Episcopal Church and the Rev. Gina Campbell, precentor.

The blessing will be for Rolling Thunder members from chapters in Virginia, Maryland and New Jersey. 

The event is planned to coordinate with the beginning of Rolling Thunder XXVII "Ride for Freedom," the 2014 annual Memorial Day weekend gathering of bikers in the Washington, D.C. area and culminating in a ride from the Pentagon parking lot on Sunday, May 25.