Rolling Thunder prepares to ride to Washington this weekend

Dodsfall · 05-24-2012, 09:24 PM

It is the 25th anniversary of the Rolling Thunder ride. The non-profit organization will make it's yearly ride to Washington D.C. this Memorial Day weekend.

The Rolling Thunder Ride for Freedom makes the yearly run in protest of the government's treatment of those soldiers still missing in Vietnam. The organization has it's roots in the Fall of 1987 when Vietnam veterans met to discuss their personal concerns about POW/MIAs. With over 10,000 reported sightings of live Americans living in captivity, the government and media still generally ignored any evidence of lost soldiers.

The first demonstration was actually held in 1988 over Memorial Day weekend. Veterans, their families, and supporters took to the streets on motorcycles and demanded a full accounting of POW/MIAs from the government. The first ride consisted of about 2500 riders from across the country.

The number of riders 25 years later is certainly a lot larger than the first year. An estimated 900,000 riders will converge on Washington D.C. this weekend.

Many riders met on the New Jersey Turnpike this morning at 9 am and started the tour toward Washington. There is a candlelight vigil at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial this evening. Events are scheduled all weekend long, culminating in a large gathering at the Reflecting Pool.

Rolling Thunder has also branched out into Rolling Thunder Charities, Inc. In 2007, it became a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization which provides financial aid, food, clothing, and other essentials to veterans and their families in times of need.

[Rolling Thunder]

Badlands-4-2 · 05-25-2012, 09:38 AM

Rolling thunder is one of those events that I would someday like to see. Not sure I would want to ride in it, but it would certainly be the largest group ride I would ever be in.

Archangel · 05-31-2012, 10:39 PM

Every year our chapter of the CMA serves the riders spending the night in Cordon, IN This year the number seemed to be down some what from past years but there was at least 300 or more there. I took a few pics and videos the wife posted on face book a week ago.

05-24-2012, 09:24 PM	#1
Dodsfall Administrator Join Date: May 2008 Location: Illinois, USA Posts: 15,880	Rolling Thunder prepares to ride to Washington this weekend It is the 25th anniversary of the Rolling Thunder ride. The non-profit organization will make it's yearly ride to Washington D.C. this Memorial Day weekend. The Rolling Thunder Ride for Freedom makes the yearly run in protest of the government's treatment of those soldiers still missing in Vietnam. The organization has it's roots in the Fall of 1987 when Vietnam veterans met to discuss their personal concerns about POW/MIAs. With over 10,000 reported sightings of live Americans living in captivity, the government and media still generally ignored any evidence of lost soldiers. The first demonstration was actually held in 1988 over Memorial Day weekend. Veterans, their families, and supporters took to the streets on motorcycles and demanded a full accounting of POW/MIAs from the government. The first ride consisted of about 2500 riders from across the country. The number of riders 25 years later is certainly a lot larger than the first year. An estimated 900,000 riders will converge on Washington D.C. this weekend. Many riders met on the New Jersey Turnpike this morning at 9 am and started the tour toward Washington. There is a candlelight vigil at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial this evening. Events are scheduled all weekend long, culminating in a large gathering at the Reflecting Pool. Rolling Thunder has also branched out into Rolling Thunder Charities, Inc. In 2007, it became a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization which provides financial aid, food, clothing, and other essentials to veterans and their families in times of need. [Rolling Thunder] __________________ 2008 XL1200R To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

05-31-2012, 10:39 PM	#3
Archangel Angel's Realm Where Evil Fears To Tread Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Jeffersonville IN. Posts: 2,020	Rolling thunder Every year our chapter of the CMA serves the riders spending the night in Cordon, IN This year the number seemed to be down some what from past years but there was at least 300 or more there. I took a few pics and videos the wife posted on face book a week ago. __________________ A> <A

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05-25-2012, 09:38 AM	#2
Badlands-4-2 Super Moderator Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: The Badlands of North Dakota Posts: 9,655	Rolling thunder is one of those events that I would someday like to see. Not sure I would want to ride in it, but it would certainly be the largest group ride I would ever be in.