By Hannah Kim

It's always a great honor to salute the tattooed bikers clad in leather vests, who roll into town like thunder for their annual ``Run for the Wall," the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, during the Memorial Day weekend in Washington, D.C.

This year, from May 29-31, nearly one million participants and spectators of Rolling Thunder's ``Ride for Freedom" caused serious traffic jams and a din around the nation's capital ― and I couldn't be any happier.

Why? Because the underlying mission of the Rolling Thunder members and the demonstration runs ― which are conspicuously marked by the roar of their motorcycles, a sound much like the 1965 bombing campaign against North Vietnam known as ``Operation Rolling Thunder" ― is to promote the cause of the POW/MIAs (prisoners of war and missing in action), and to demand government action. So in essence, their noise-making increases public awareness and encourages remembrance of those who paid the ultimate sacrifices, which is what Memorial Day is all about.

Moreover, the story behind the creation of Rolling Thunder is motivational. Artie Muller and Ray Manzo were simply two Vietnam veterans who in 1987, came up with the idea of a gathering in D.C. and sought help from their families, comrades and veteran's advocates. By the 1988 Memorial Day weekend, approximately 2,500 motorcyclists nationwide converged on D.C. for the first run; today the number exceeds 750,000.

Just as inspiring are the stories behind the dedication of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and the National Korean War Memorial in D.C.

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial, which lists all the names of the 58,261 fallen veterans of Vietnam, was founded by Jan Scruggs, who served in Vietnam from 1969-1970 as an infantry corporal. After Scruggs led a successful lobbying effort in the U.S. Congress, President Jimmy Carter signed the legislation in 1980 to provide a two acre plot of land in Constitution Gardens near the Lincoln Memorial. Through the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, Scruggs raised nearly $9 million entirely through private contributions from corporations, foundations, unions, veterans and civic organizations and more than 275,000 individual Americans. No federal funds were used. Groundbreaking took place on March 26, 1982.

Similarly, among the first to conceive the idea of a Korean War memorial in D.C. were ordinary citizens such as one named Chayon Kim, a Korean woman who was saved by American troops during the Korean War, as well as Hal and Ted Barker, founders of the Korean War Project, whose father served in Korea.

Nonetheless, the principal driving force behind the construction of the Korean War Memorial was the Korean War Veterans Association (KWVA), which was formed in 1985. By 1988, the Congress had granted them permission and the land to the east of the Lincoln Memorial, with $1 million appropriated for use. Hyundai Auto Company pledged another $1 million; but the KWVA had to raise about $4 million themselves.

Kathleen Wyosnick of California, a KWVA member and former Air Force nurse who had lost her husband in the Korean War, was moved to write a poignant letter soliciting donations to the readers of ``Dear Abby." To her pleasant surprise, on ``11/11/88" (Veterans Day), Abby responded: ``Dear Kathleen: I am sending my check today, and I hope readers will come through with contributions. If everyone who reads this sends $1, we should have that memorial paid for in a matter of months. Readers?"

Following Abby's response, more than 27,000 donations totaling over $400,000 were raised. ``One little girl sent in $1.00," Kathleen was told. "A Sunday School class donated $5.00. A grade school class sent $2.00."

As the fundraising efforts gained momentum, the KWVA members sent letters to the editor of Time and Life magazines, as well as radio and television stations, to encourage Americans not to forget the ``Forgotten War." A commemorative coin was authorized, as a result of the arduous efforts of many KWVA members who lobbied Congress for a bill to mint a silver dollar coin for the 38th anniversary of the armistice ― proceeds to go to the Memorial Fund. The sales of the coins, which sold for $31 each, raised $8 million for the Korean War Memorial fund. On July 27, 1995, the 42nd anniversary of the armistice, the Korean War Memorial was dedicated by President Clinton and South Korean President Kim Young-sam.

These stories are not unique: each of the 54-plus Vietnam War memorials in more than 34 states and the 91-plus Korean War memorials in more than 35 states stand today as a result of outstanding and concerted efforts of ordinary citizens who simply care.

Memorial Day is approaching in South Korea on June 6. Approximately 320,000 ROK soldiers served in Vietnam; 5,000 killed and 11,000 wounded. 138,000-plus died in the Korean War; 450,000 wounded and 32,838 POW/MIAs. The War Museum in Seoul is great; but not enough. People?

Hannah Kim is a 2009 master's graduate at the George Washington University Graduate School of Political Management, specializing in legislative affairs. She spearheaded the passage of the ``Korean War Veterans Recognition Act, U.S. Public Law 111-41," which was signed by President Obama on July 27, 2009. She can be reached at hkim@remember727.org.