Community Chat

[Marp]

If you happen to be in the D.C. area on the 27th don't miss one of the most awesome sights you will ever see, hear and feel. 

Rolling Thunder has grown from 2,000 riders in 1988, (its first year) to more than 500,000 riders in 2018.  

It is an opportunity to support this amazing group of vets that will not let our POWs and MIAs be forgotten.

This is a link to this year's schedule:  https://www.rollingthunderrun.com/2019-run-info/

Rolling Thunder began in Washington in 1987 after Artie Muller, who served in the Vietnam War as an infantry sergeant, sought to call attention to veterans in need and prisoners of war.

In a statement Thursday, Muller said Rolling Thunder XXXII, scheduled for 2019’s Memorial Day weekend, would be “the final Thunder Run in D.C.”

In the future, Zaleski said, Rolling Thunder rides will continue outside Washington in regional events organized by state chapters.

“Rolling Thunder is not going away,” he said.

[Annabellethecat66]

I just live a few miles from D.C. (in Va thank goodness).  My late husband and I used to take our girls to see this every year.

My friend (whom I eat with almost every day dated a guy who used to participate in this).  She has often talked about how awesome it is to ride down the streets and go under the banners of the US flag and hear so many cheers from the crowds.

I totally agree with you, it is a sight and sound to behold.  It makes one so proud to be in this country and experience it!

[Annabellethecat66]

@Marp Why isn't it going to be in D.C. anymore?  Do you know?

We used to go see it every Memorial Day.  It was awesome.  My late husband was in the Honor Guard  during the Vietnam War.  He guarded the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and he was there the night they moved John Kennedy's grave.  We were married at the time.

[golding76]

I've been fortunate to see them roll through many times because I live in Northern Virginia, and we would go into D.C. to view them gathering along the Memorial Bridge, as I recall.

Also, all weekend, wherever we drive, we will see Rolling Thunder participants coming into our geographic area.  They are wonderful!  Whenever you wave or give them a thumb-up, they wave back.  

[Marp]

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@Annabellethecat66 wrote:

@Marp Why isn't it going to be in D.C. anymore?  Do you know?

We used to go see it every Memorial Day.  It was awesome.  My late husband was in the Honor Guard  during the Vietnam War.  He guarded the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and he was there the night they moved John Kennedy's grave.  We were married at the time.

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Yes @Annabellethecat66, I know the reasons given but if I answer here it will change the direction of this thread and I'd like to see it remain as a tribute to the riders that give so much to participate. 

 A search on the phrase "rolling thunder 2019" will show a lot of returns that will relate the reasons given.

[Annabellethecat66]

OK, @Marp Thanks, I'll look it up.  I should have done that in the first place.  Thanks again for bringing back some nice memories.

[ScarletDove]

I live in MD, 1/2 mile from DC, back up to Rock Creek Park and every year see the bikers rolling into town using Beach Drive in droves; it is a very emotional sight and sound....I lost friends in Vietnam so it is touching for me.

I heard an interview this afternoon on the Larry O'Connor show with one of the Rolling Thunder people and Larry asked him about Rolling Thunder ending in DC.  He did not discuss the reasons for "ending" and did not commit to its "ending" in DC although previously announced.  Lets hope it continues!

[esmerelda]

For anyone not looking it up, among the reasons they’re leaving DC are the riders are getting older and can’t ride long-distances, some can’t get time off from work, and some can’t afford the cost of the long ride.   Plans are for future rides to be held in states. 

[Caaareful Shopper]

I live in the area and see the procession every year.  It's an awesome sight to see and hear!

[CelticCrafter]

Where I live we have a pretty big Viet Nam War Memorial and they lay a wreath every September.

To see all those motorcycles coming down the hightway is an awesome sight.