Rolling Thunder, American Legion Bring Christmas in July to NMCP Patients

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Riza Caparros, Naval Medical Center Portsmouth Public Affairs

Portsmouth, Va. (NNS) -- A loud rumble shook the ground as a group of motorcycle riders drove through the front gate of Naval Medical Center Portsmouth July 18.

Santa Rick and 35 leather-clad and tattooed men and women, representing motorcycle riding groups Rolling Thunder (chapter 5) and American Legion (posts 284, 146, 5 and 83) showed their soft side when they arrived with toys for the young patients of the medical facility for Christmas in July.

Christmas in July has been a collaborative tradition between NMCP's Pediatric Ward Child Life Specialist Chris Brogan, NMCP's American Red Cross and Rolling Thunder for about 10 years.

"This is such a great event for the hospital staff, the children and their families," Brogan said, "because what would be a long day at the hospital turns into a fun and happy one with Santa and other special visitors coming with gifts and wishing them well."

Rear Adm. Alton L. Stocks, NMCP's commander, met the group as they arrived and thanked them for their kind gestures.

"I can't thank Rolling Thunder and the American Legion enough for their tireless efforts throughout the year to provide toys to our veteran's children who are being treated here," Stocks said. "What a great way to teach our children the value of helping our own and other kind gestures to others."

The group made its way to the Pediatric Ward, Pediatric Intensive Care Unit and the Emergency Room and met with quite a few young patients and even some parents. Chief Petty Officer Karen Cozza was with her daughter, Caroline, when the group stopped by Caroline's room with a surprise armful of toys for her and her sisters at home.

"I am with Caroline as she undergoes her chemotherapy treatments, and the days tend to be very long and tiresome because we can't leave the room," Cozza said. "This was a nice change for both of us, and it was a great way to get Caroline to smile again.

"It's nice to get a gift, but it's nicer to see the faces and smiles of the people who come with it," she continued. NMCP American Red Cross chairperson Charlotte Beard said collaborating with the motorcycle groups has been a great part of a great cause.

"Most of them are veterans of the Vietnam War," said Beard. "They selflessly give back to the children of their fellow veterans, collecting money and toys to give to them with the single hope of bringing a smile to a sick child's face. They are great tough-love, soft-hearted men and women."

Rolling Thunder traditionally visits NMCP twice a year. In addition to "Christmas in July", they also come for "Operation Bright Light" in December. The bikers travel from various cities across the state, some more than one hundred miles away, and gather at Bayside Harley Davidson in Portsmouth before parading together to the medical facility to visit the children. Any toys and stuffed animals not given out during the Rolling Thunder visits are donated to the Pediatric Ward to give to patients throughout the year.