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VFW Post 4174 will celebrate Armed Forces Day in a very special manner this Saturday.

The “Rolling Thunder” is going to join their Honor Guard in a dedication ceremony for all POW/MIAs from the wars of our country at 5 p.m.

The public is invited.

In the fall of 1987, Artie Muller and Ray Manzo, two Vietnam veterans met to discuss their personal concerns about the POW/MIAs from the Vietnam War. As all others who serve our country, they took the oath to “support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies,” and to “bear true faith and allegiance to the same.”

As many may remember, Vietnam was a very unpopular engagement and many of those returning were met with scorn. Muller and Manzo were even more deeply troubled by the lack of attention given to those who did not make it back with their lives or their freedom. They had their first demonstration against this negligence in D.C. in 1988, calling on families, fellow vets and their advocates to unite and form a march and demonstration.

The arrival of these people would be announced by the roar of motorcycles, a sound which would be very similar to the bombing campaign in North Vietnam in 1965. The campaign was named Operation Rolling Thunder. It started out with about 2,500 motorcycles from all over the U.S. going to the Capitol to demand an accounting of ALL POW/MIAs. The organization, which incorporated in 1995 to a non profit, now numbers an estimated 900,000 and they will continue to ride until all POW/MIAs can be accounted for to everyone’s satisfaction.

Many of the members are veterans and many also ride motorcycles, but neither is a prerequisite. People of all ages and sexes are united in the cause to bring full accountability of the POW/MIAs of all wars, vowing “We Will Not Forget.”

The Post’s Honor Guard will present arms and join the Rolling Thunder in the unveiling of the POW/MIA monument the VFW is dedicating.

“It is a unique chance to see our veterans in action honoring the oaths they took many years ago and continue to pay homage to by their continuous serving, “post officials said. “If you have any questions, we can be reached at 239-369-5100. We would be happy to welcome you!”

The post is at 25 Homestead Road in Lehigh Acres.