From a few hundred in 1988 to one million participants in 2016, Rolling Thunder Ride for Freedom is a driving force of raising veterans’ awareness.
“Never forget all of our prisoners of war and those still missing in action from all wars, and never forget our veterans of all wars. That’s our message, and that’s our mission,” said Artie Muller the tremendous force behind Rolling Thunder, an American advocacy group that seeks to bring full accountability for prisoners of war (POWs) and missing in action (MIA) service members of all U.S. wars.
The Rolling Thunder Ride for Freedom supports all Veterans
Rolling Thunder Ride for Freedom occurs on the Sunday before Memorial Day in Washington, DC. Riders start lining up in the Pentagon parking lot as early as 5 am. At noon all participants make a slow ride on a dedicated route that crosses the Memorial Bridge leads to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall.
It is the largest event in Washington, DC, and the largest one-day event in the motorcycle industry. It is a demonstration of heart, passion, and meaning. It is about our veterans. Of all wars of years past and of our current military members fighting overseas.
Fall 1987 An Epic Idea is Born
The Founders of Rolling Thunder®, Inc., Artie Muller, and Ray Manzo, both Vietnam Veterans, were incensed that the government and the media were ignoring an estimated 10,000 reported sightings of live Americans living in horrible conditions in captivity. They realized their voices needed to be heard. They contacted fellow veterans, friends, and family and decided to ‘ride’ to the nation’s Capital Memorial Day weekend in the spring of 1988. The roar of their motorcycles would announce their arrival. A roar not unlike the sound of the 1965 bombing campaign against North Vietnam dubbed Operation Rolling Thunder. Rolling Thunder Ride for Freedom was born.
Rolling Thunder Ride for Freedom occurs on the Sunday before Memorial Day in Washington, DC. Riders start lining up in the Pentagon parking lot as early as 5 am. At noon all participants make a slow ride on a dedicated route that crosses the Memorial Bridge leads to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall.
The Ride for Freedom began in 1988 as a demonstration to help raise awareness of the POW/MIA issue. Rolling Thunder has grown to encompass many veteran issues and is still working to bring home our many POW/MIA’s.
Members come from all walks of life and include servicemen and women, firefighters, police officers, anyone who wishes to support our veterans. Old, young, men, women, veterans, and non-veterans. All are united in the cause to bring full accountability for the Prisoners of War-Missing in Action (POW/MIA) of all wars, reminding the government, the media and the public by their watchwords: “We Will Not Forget.”
To learn more about Rolling Thunder® Inc and how you can help head to https://www.rollingthunder1.com/
2017 will mark the 30th Anniversary of the first Ride for Freedom.
ALL SUPPORTERS WELCOME
Rolling Thunder®, Inc.
XXX “Ride For Freedom” Demonstration!
Sunday, May 28, 2017
