Able to be heard from miles away with Old Glory waving in the wind behind them, members of the motorcycle group Rolling Thunder make quite an impression in the cities and towns they roll through across America.

Originally a demonstration of approximately 2,500 motorcycles demanding the U.S. government account for all prisoners of war (POWs) and servicemen and women missing in action (MIAs), the group has more than 7,500 members around the globe actively involved in promoting legislation to increase veterans benefits and resolve the issue for which Rolling Thunder was started. The motorcycle group also provides financial support, food, clothing and other essentials to veterans and their families, as well as veterans groups and women’s crisis centers.

Many members of Rolling Thunder were touched by the American spirit exhibited by local residents and the outpouring of support for the family of Lance Cpl. Chris Fowlkes.

“Some saw and others heard about what Gaffney and Cherokee County did to honor one of their own,” said local resident Rae Gilmore. “They wanted to do something to give back to the community and honor the memory of Lance Cpl. Chris Fowlkes.”

In a spur-of-the-moment decision made by Rolling Thunder members in three states — Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina — the group will travel to Gaffney as part of Operation Flagpole, ending at the proposed site of the Cherokee County Veterans Museum on Saturday for a service honoring Fowlkes.

“Gaffney is these guys’ destination,” Gilmore said. “It’s something they decided spur of the moment, some of whom said they would travel from Virginia to participate.”

The event begins at 4:30 p.m.

According to Gilmore, the ride begins for some veterans in the “Old Dominion State,” with Rolling Thunder members making stops in several cities along the way to Cherokee County.

The group will also have a flag with them for the journey that will be signed by veterans and others along the route.

“With many of them being Vietnam veterans themselves, they want everyone to know how thankful they are for what the military is doing for us,” Gilmore said.