He stood in his position for up to five hours, saluting thousands of veterans as they rode by on their motorcycles outside of the Pentagon during the Memorial Day Rolling Thunder parade.

Chambers became known as The Saluting Marine in 2002 when he “popped” into the middle of the road, greeting veterans at the parade. “I just jumped out there as the parade was happening and popped up a salute. Then I started thinking, ‘Can I make it to the end? If I fall out will I look like a complete idiot?’” Chambers said of his first time holding a demanding hours-long salute at the event.

The veteran, who joined the Marines in 1994, adds, “I just got caught up in the moment.”

Rolling Thunder started in 1988 to raise awareness about prisoners of war (POWs) and those missing in action (MIA) and attracts thousands of veteran bikers from across the United States. Unfortunately, it ended in 2019, but Chambers left a permanent mark on everyone who saw his commitment and honor to veterans.

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