Posted on 12/14/2018 3:57:44 AM PST by maddog55
WASHINGTON — One of the nation’s most iconic displays of support for military veterans, those missing in action and prisoners of war is coming to an end.
The annual Rolling Thunder ride — which has brought thousands of bikers to the D.C. area for decades — is hitting the brakes. They won’t be riding after their May 2019 run, group officials confirmed to WTOP.
The key issues cited by the group are costs and communication problems with the Pentagon Police Department.
“We had so many problems in the last two or three years with the [Pentagon Police] and the parking facilities after we leave the Pentagon parking lot,” Rolling Thunder, Inc. board member Gus Dante told WTOP.
“And then it came to a boil this year when, the south lot, we had not one motorcycle. In the year before we had 10,000 bikes,” Dante said. “In the main lot, they were being turned away.”
(Excerpt) Read more at wtop.com ...
I think making this a regional thing is a good idea. These event are a huge hassle (for lack of a better word) for big city police departments, not to mention the cities themselves, and in today’s climate it’s difficult to handle. I fully respect their mission, but having smaller rides in multiple regions will not detract from the POW/MIA cause, IMHO.
At some point in 2013...the Pentagon ‘gave’ away one of it’s parking lots (nearest to Pentagon City itself). The bigger lots (north, east and south) stayed intact. At the time, I remember being in the room when this was brought up...everyone felt this was a bonehead move and would create future problems. But the pay-back was their ‘green-program’ and to get the recognition for progress...they had to give up asphalt space. I might suggest that this decision is tied in some minor way to the limited parking space now available.
Obama ducked out on meeting with Rolling Thunder.
I’d chalk this up as his lasting legacy.
If you believe in caring about veterans, if you believe in never abandoning the fight to identify those still listed as POW/MIA, then do Run For The Wall.
My daughter rode with her boyfriend for a couple years and many people lined the overpasses over the DC beltway. It was a very moving experience. I’m sorry to see Another tradition ended.the vets have My heartfelt thanks for their bravery.
This is so sad to hear. I always looked forward to them coming to Wentzville, Missouri every year. (We have the nation’s first Vietnam Memorial here.) They would always spend the night here on their way to Washington D.C. Always a wonderful bunch of people.
The Vietnam veterans are too old to ride. That’s why there’s a glut of used Harley’s.
I have friends who did this every year. And yes very powerful for the POW/MIA mission.
Thanks for clarifying this. As a demonstration, it was awesome, but almost never got national press coverage. I guarantee that if done locally/regionally the local press will cover it huge.
Rolling Thunder was something patriotic American motorcyclists looked forward to. It's sad to hear that this event is coming to an end.
...and that's the problem; or situation, if you will. Too many responsible and thinking people in one place. Can't have that!
Rolling Thunder 3 N.J. has a run from our town of Belvidere, N.J. every year. I am not a participant but as a member of our fire police I get to direct traffic for them. 350 - 400 bikes and never a problem. Great people and well organized. They use our fire house parking lot to stage and after the ride gather on our town green to have their ceremonies at the Warren County War Memorial. Very moving. We look forward to it every year.
Sad day. I loved watching Rolling Thunder, i would never miss watching it. It filled my heart with pride, and the sound.......just saying Rolling Thunder makes that sound go through your head.
Thank you to all those who participated.
Or the Patriot Guard Riders.
I will always remember taking the kids to church in the 90’s on ‘Rolling Thunder’ Sundays - 495 would be loaded with bikers. We looked forward to it like Christmas.
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