24th Rolling Thunder First Amendment Ride Through Washington

This was the scene of Rolling Thunder XXIV, May 29th 2011!
Rolling Thunder began in 1987 as a demonstration to bring awareness to the plight of prisoners of war (POW) and to those missing in action (MIA). Rolling Thunder originated when four Vietnam Veterans, exercising the First Amendment "Right to Petition and Assemble," organized the first group of 2,500 motorcycles to ride through the streets of Washington, DC. This first Rolling Thunder run was made in an attempt to petition the government to take responsibility for the soldiers that were abandoned after the Vietnam War ended.

Thanks To The Brave!! And Thanks to Southern Bike Night TV for posting their season finale - Rolling Thunder XXIII interview in 2010 with Artie Muller, national executive director and one of the founders of Rolling Thunder First Amendment Demonstration. 

There was an official count of 500,000 motorcycles in the demonstration and in the parking lot, with an estimated crowd total of 900,000 for the 2009 Ride Through Washington and that number was expected to top one million by 2010 or 2011. 

Rolling Thunder 2011 - Former vice presidential candidate, Sarah Palin announced last week that she would be kicking off a new "One Nation" bus tour over Memorial Day weekend 2011 in Washington DC. 

There was speculation that she might join the Rolling Thunder First Amendment Ride Through Washington, and she did.The 24th Rolling Thunder Run was Sunday, May 29th and Ms. Palin was among riders close to the front, riding on the back of a black Harley-Davidson. She apparently did not make prior arrangements with organizers of the massive ride, creating a lot of confusion and delaying the ride, when she came to the front of the Pentagon's north parking lot, where event staff and press were assembled. 

“I’m very not appreciative of the way she came in here,” Ted Shpak, Rolling Thunder’s national legislative director, said in a press interview. “If she wanted to come on the ride, she should have come in the back.”

Rolling Thunder has evolved to be not only a demonstration for the POW/MIA issue but also a demonstration of patriotism and respect for soldiers and veterans from all wars. With the approaching 10th anniversary of 9/11 there is even more emphasis on the broader cause of honoring patriotic heroes.

Related Rolling Thunder video post  

This year, about 80 riders including U.S. Rep. Allen West, NBC4's Jim Vance, and 105.9 The Edges' Mike O'Meara participated in a ride on Friday to RFK Stadium, two miles east of DC to kick off a new 4-day event, Stars, Stripes & Spokes  that also featured military equipment and vehicle displays, camping, concerts and vendors.

 A Stars, Stripes & Spokes custom bike was built by Sterling, Virginia Hardcore Choppers and is being raffled off to benefit veteran programs at Walter Reed Hospital.

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Photos courtesy of friends at the 2011 Rolling Thunder and Stars, Stripes & Spokes.




Posted by MJ Lloyd Reynolds/MJR Media marketing services for the motorcycle industry - mjr.media@earthlink.net

Rolling Thunder XXIV POW-MIA Ride Through Washington

"Run For the Wall" riders from as far away as California and Texas will again join fellow riders on Sunday, May 29th for the Rolling Thunder XXIV Ride Through Washington.. an event that draws more than 300,000 to the streets of DC.

Rolling Thunder -- the largest annual event in Washington D.C.  -- is a First Amendment demonstration run that takes place during Memorial Day weekend for POW/MIA awareness. Here are some of the activities planned for the weekend.

Friday, May 27th - 9pm Candlelight Vigil at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial
Saturday, May 28th - 9am Thunder Alley opens at 22nd St & Constitution Ave
11 am - US Navy Memorial Wreath Laying, Navy Plaza, 701 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
11 am - 3 pm - Saluting our Troops...speakers/musical tributes located on state between Reflecting Pool and Lincoln Memorial.
Sunday, May 29th - 7 am - Reveille - bikers rally in North Pentagon Parking lot.
12 noon - Rolling Thunder XXIV starts...bikers depart the North Pentagon parking lot.
1:30 pm - Rolling Thunder Speaker Program - speakers  on stage between Reflecting Pool and Lincoln Memorial.

Memorial Day, May 30 - 3 pm drawing for Rolling Thunder XXIV Raffle Bike 2011
at Thunder Alley, 22nd & Constitution Ave. NW. Tickets 3@ $10 available all weekend at Thunder Alley - Winner will be called by phone immediately after the drawing.


This year, there is also a free 4-day event, "Stars, Stripes & Spokes" at RFK stadium, two miles east of the Capitol.

"We ride for those who can't" is the motto of the organization, Run For The Wall.

Click the flyer below to learn more about the RFTW mission to bring veterans on a cross-country journey to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall & Rolling Thunder Ride. 

RUN FOR THE WALL
By: Jennifer Jensen Walker
 
Thunder in the streets,
Tears in the eye,
As our love and honor
...Go to the ones that die.
We remember them,
We always hold them dear,
As they serve their country
Through their blood and fear.
Some families still wonder
Where their brothers may be hid,
But all we can do is honor them
For the service that they did.
So raise the flag up high!
Keep it ever from the dirt!
Help the soldiers in your life to see
We never want them hurt!
POW ... MIA ...
We pray that hearts will mend!
We cry for you, we ride for you,
Our vigil will not end!
Run for the wall!

Washington DC Memorial Day Weekend Rally Announced

[Wikimedia commons image by Christiano Del Riccio of the Rolling Thunder ride crossing the Memorial Bridge in Washington, DC on May 24, 2009]

This Memorial Day Weekend, for the first time ever, Stars & Stripes & Spokes™ -- “America’s Memorial Day Rally” will provide a new destination and gathering place for the more than 300,000 motorcycle enthusiasts who make the annual pilgrimage to the Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial Wall in Washington, DC.

This free outdoor rally begins Friday, May 27 and continues through Monday, May 30 at the RFK Stadium Festival Grounds. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Walter Reed Army Medical Center’s Walter Reed Society Warrior & Family Support Fund.

In a departure from the customary fare at other motorcycle events, various branches of the US armed forces will be displaying numerous military vehicles and other equipment for public access. Experienced crews will be present to explain and educate the public on the use of the vehicles and equipment to give attendees a better sense of exactly how the troops carry out their missions. There will also be live music, hundreds of vendors, lots of food and cold beer, and free bike parking. The legendary Blues and American Roots band, The Nighthawks will be playing Monday afternoon.


RFK Stadium is just two miles from the US Capitol Building and there will be signage for out-of-town visitors, not familiar with the Washington, DC area.

The Washington Convention and Sports Authority is a partner in this endeavor. The RFK Stadium Grounds are Metro accessible and there will be 14 acres designated exclusively for RVs. Visitors can come for the entire weekend and stay in DC with their campers. The campers must be self-contained. No tent camping is allowed.

Among the many vendors are Hot Leathers, Bob’s BMW, Biker Apparel, Stinger Trailers, Condor Products, Navy Federal Credit Union and Speeds Performance Plus. Look for full page ads in the following magazines: Laconia Rally News, AMA, Thunder Press, Fast Lane Biker, Motorcycle Monthly, Thunder Roads – Virginia and Vietnam Magazine. You will also find links to this rally on the following websites:

• Rolling Thunder®

• Harley Davidson of Washington

• Ride of the Patriots

“You owe it to yourself to witness the birth of what is sure to be a new tradition, the first-ever Stars & Stripes & Spokes™ Motorcycle Rally that we hope will provide a comfortable staging area for the many thousands of riders and DC tourists who are in town to pause and acknowledge the service of our fellow citizens who serve our nation under arms,” said Bruce Bieber, one of three rally co-founders, along with Walter Layton and Harold Bingham. The three DC area riding buddies have attended rallies together all over the country for years, and have been planning this event for three years.

“Stars & Stripes & Spokes™ will be open for business for four full days so you will have plenty of time to visit many of Washington, DC’s memorials, museums and other attractions,” said Bieber. “Washington is a great place to visit at least once in your lifetime because almost all of the museums and memorials are free and open to the public.

“While this event is new, we are building on a 24-year tradition of motorcycles gathering in DC for the ‘Ride to the Wall.’ You can drop by the RFK Stadium Festival Grounds before or after you participate in the annual Ride to the Wall on Sunday.

"Signs will be posted all over town clearly marking designated routes to and from the RFK Stadium Festival Grounds.

“Going into this first-year rally, we have the benefit of the participation and advice of Charlie St. Clair, the long-time Executive Director of Laconia Motorcycle Week, the oldest of the big, national motorcycle rallies, going into its 88th year," he said.

“Everyone is welcome to attend. You do not need to own a motorcycle to participate and enjoy this event. There will be enough food, music, shopping and special events to have broad appeal to motorcyclists, tourists and the local community. We really want this to be ‘America’s Memorial Day Celebration.’”

A portion of the funds from this rally will be donated to the Walter Reed Society’s Warrior/Family Support Fund that is used to assist service members and their families when support provided through Invitational Travel Orders (ITO) does not meet their immediate needs during a patient’s treatment at Walter Reed Army Medical Center (WRAMC.) The Walter Reed Society was established to support activities and fund projects to benefit the soldiers and staff at WRAMC. They also provide good stewardship of the funds donated and grants awarded to assist service members and/or their family members with unexpected financial needs and provide specially identified equipment and services related to patient care at WRAMC when other resources are not available.

For details, visit http://www.stars-stripes-spokes.com/ or email info@stars-stripes-spokes.com

Marine Salutes Rolling Thunder Riders in DC for 4 Hours

A solitary Marine holds vigil at full attention during the Rolling Thunder motorcycle rally in tribute to fallen comrades. More than 1.4 million have watched this video of Marine Sgt. Tim Chambers standing for more than 4 hours at attention to salute more than 300,000 Rolling Thunder riders passing through Washington DC on Memorial Day weekend 2010.

He has been doing this for 6 years, and this year took a leave of absence from the Marine Corps to travel with "Carry The Flame" to Washington. "Run For The Wall" riders follow two cross-country routes every year, from California and Texas to join the Rolling Thunder Run through Washington DC, attended by nearly a million motorcycle enthusiasts.



We salute you, Marine Sgt. Tim Chambers! Semper Fi!

View an excellent video of the 2010 Rolling Thunder First Amendment Demonstration Run.

Rolling Thunder began in 1987 as a demonstration to bring awareness to the plight of prisoners of war (POW) and to those missing in action (MIA). Rolling Thunder originated when four Vietnam Veterans, exercising the First Amendment "Right to Petition and Assemble", organized the first group of 2500 motorcycles to ride through the streets of Washington, DC. This first Rolling Thunder run was made in an attempt to petition the government to take responsibility for the soldiers that were abandoned after the Vietnam War ended.

Today over 300, 000 motorcycles ride during the Rolling Thunder Memorial Day weekend observance, held each year in our nation’s capital. Rolling Thunder has evolved to be not only a demonstration for the POW/MIA issue but also a demonstration of patriotism and respect for soldiers and veterans from all wars.

Run For The Wall XXII - May 19 to 30 - "The Missing Man Formation" leads riders across the country to the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Wall in Washington DC to promote healing among ALL veterans, their families and friends; to call for an accounting of all POW/MIA; to honor the memory of those killed in action in all wars; and to support military personnel all over the world. "We ride for those who can't" - http://www.rftw.com/