Thirty-seven bikers rode 1,200 miles through a blizzard to bring Marine Corporal Danny Chen home after the military said
his remains would arrive “when weather permits.” Danny, who wanted to be buried beside his late father in Millfield,
Montana, had died while serving overseas. When severe storms grounded the official transport,
his mother, Sarah, received a heartbreaking email: her son’s body might not arrive for weeks.
She shared her anguish in a Gold Star Mothers group, hoping only that Danny could come home for Christmas.
Within hours, the Rolling Thunder motorcycle club answered. They met at Fort Carson, Colorado, and loaded
his flag-draped casket into a custom motorcycle hearse. The base commander warned the ride was too dangerous.
Big Jake, 67, replied: “Least we can do is ride through a little snow to bring him home to his mama.”
Through whiteouts, black ice, and closed passes, they pressed on. Highway patrols, once ready to stop them,
instead provided escorts after seeing the casket. Communities along the route offered food, shelter, and vehicles to block the wind.
After three days, Millfield welcomed Danny home. Sarah watched as bikers placed her late husband’s vest atop the casket.
Engines roared in a final salute. The story went viral, sparking the Danny Chen Memorial Fund to ensure
no fallen soldier waits for dignity. Each Christmas Eve, the bikers return—reminding all that some promises can’t wait.
