Members of Carry the Flame, a group largely made up of bikers who are Vietnam veterans, ride through New Mexico to the Rolling Thunder Memorial Day rally at the National Mall in Washington.
If you travel on one of our nation’s Interstates these last few days before Memorial Day, you might encounter an unusual sight: bikers by the dozens stretched half a mile down the highway, their motorcycles flying military banners and spewing exhaust.
They are members of Rolling Thunder, a nationwide network of veterans and their supporters. Their destination: Rolling Thunder Memorial Day rally on the National Mall in Washington.
Rolling Thunder, which has thousands of members, was founded in 1987 when some Vietnam veterans and advocates for P.O.W.’s and M.I.A.’s befriended one another on the mall.
Ray Manzo of Hoboken, N.J., now a former marine, suggested motorcycles. The idea grabbed them. Masses of bikes descending on Washington would literally sound like Rolling Thunder, the code name for the bombing campaign over North Vietnam.
In its first year, the Memorial Day rally drew 2,500 bikers. Now, nearly two decades later, hundreds of thousands of bikers join in.
“When you put 200,000 bikes together,” said Michael DePaulo, a Vietnam veteran from Berkley, Mass., who helps organize and run the rally, “it sounds like a B-52 strike.”
Custom-Painted FLHX Street Glide Harley-Davidson of Washington donated to Rolling Thunder, Inc.® in honor of the 20th anniversary. The bike is currently on display at Harley-Davidson of Washington.
Until They ALL Come Home
Until they all come home
We watch and wait
Young and old, black and white
So far away, they’re sent to fight
Until they all come home
We wear our ribbons to show our pride
And let them know we are on their side
Until they all come home
We pray for peace
Throughout the land
Protect them all, on sea and sand
Until they all come home
By James Withrow
Rolling Thunder
Wild Thing’s comment……..
God bless Rolling Thunder!
….Please visit my POW MIA page at my website
…You are also invited to visit my Tribute to Vietnam Veterans page.
I hope C-SPAN covers the Rolling Thunder gathering and ceremonies at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Sometimes they do, you never know. Wish I could make that ride, but I will be there in spirit.
Sunday there will be the annual Memorial day Concert in Wash DC. It will be on PBS at 8PM ET. Wild Thing’s Friend Gary Sinese is one of the hosts. Lots of good, spirited patriotic music.
What a wonderful tribute WT, thank you. Thanks for the heads up TomR, I’m not one to watch PBS but in this instance I’ll make an exception. I wish each and every one a fantastic Memorial Day weekend.
Thanks for the tribute Chrissie. I will be reminding everyone I know what Memorial Day is about. I also wish everyone a great Memorial Day Weekend.
Tom oh wow, I would love that if they would.
Jack, you too, have a very special Memorial Day weekend.
John, thank you for all you do.
In its first year, the Memorial Day rally drew 2,500 bikers.
I have seen it. It is a very intense event, quite moving.
Memorial Day Round-Up
In honor and memory of those who have given all in service to our country.
Memorial Day Round-Up
In honor and memory of those who have given all in service to our country.