SEVIERVILLE — For more than two decades, the organizers of Smoky Mountain Thunder Memorial Ride have been turning attention to the real reason behind Memorial Day.
SEVIERVILLE â Thousands of motorcycles are expected in downtown Sevierville this Sunday for the Smoky Mountain Thunder Memorial Ride.
The ride starts with a program at the Sevier County Courthouse, with setup at 8 a.m. and program starting at 10 a.m. before the motorcycles start the 65-mile ride to Clinch Mountain Veterans Overlook.
Vietnam War veteran Ron Giddis felt called to start the Memorial Day weekend ride 21 years ago as he thought about the friends and family he lost due to Vietnam.
âSo Memorial Day weekend has always had special meaning for me and folks who likewise have lost friends and family to combat,â Giddis said.