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Rolling Thunder 2012 Washington, DC
Rolling Thunder 2012 Washington, DC
Rolling Thunder a United States 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 group's first demonstration was in 1988. It was incorporated in 1995, and has more than 90 chapters throughout the US, as well as overseas.
The organization is often referred to as a "motorcycle group", but owning a motorcycle is not required.
Their main annual event occurs on the Sunday before Memorial Day, in which members make a slow ride on a dedicated, closed off, pre-set route, called Run to the Wall in Washington D.C., referring to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, also called the Ride for Freedom, which leaves the Pentagon parking lot at noon, crosses the Memorial Bridge, and ends at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. During the Rolling Thunder weekend, members and supporters spend time at the Thunder Alley,[clarification needed] visit significant areas of Washington D.C., particularly the numerous memorials, and hear speeches given by members, supporters, military officials and politicians.
History
In 1987 Rolling Thunder made its first ride to the Vietnam War Memorial.
Ray Manzo, a former United States Marine Corps Corporal, U.S. Army Sergeant Major John Holland (Ret.), Marine First Sergeant Walt Sides (Ret.) and Sergeant Ted Sampley (Ret.) are the four men that are credited with starting Rolling Thunder.
In 1987, Manzo visited the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., talked with fellow veterans, and first learned that American servicemen had been abandoned in Southeast Asia and the end of the Vietnam War. This was counter to his Marine Corps training to leave no man behind, and he became consumed with the idea that he must do something to bring attention to this issue. Manzo attended a POW/MIA vigil sponsored by the Vietnam Veterans Motorcycle Club when the idea came to him to host a motorcycle rally in the nation's capital to show the country and the world that U.S. prisoners of war and missing in action (POW/MIA) still mattered to their fellow servicemen and the country for which they sacrificed their freedom.
Manzo drafted a letter for a call to action and began mailing it to biker publications. He enlisted fellow veterans from the Washington D.C. area to help him through the red tape of requirements. Sgt. Major John Holland was experienced in government legislation and included 1st Sgt. Walt Sides, and Washington activist Sgt. Ted Sampley also joined them. These were the founders of Rolling Thunder. Ted Sampley's colleague, Bob Schmitt, coined the phrase "Rolling Thunder". While staring at the Memorial Bridge and envisioning Manzo's dream, he said, "It will be like the sound of rolling thunder coming across the bridge."
Rolling Thunder officially begins when hundreds of thousands of motorcycles and riders silently wait in the Pentagon parking lot, and at 12:00 noon, the engines are ignited as one huge thunderous rumble, which is heard, felt and seen along their slow progression and Run to the Wall. On Memorial Day 1988, Cpl. Manzo recruited 2,500 men and women to attend Rolling Thunder I.
Beginning in 1987 and continuing through the present, Rolling Thunder has conducted the Run to the Wall on the Sunday of Memorial Day Weekend to show their continued support for the efforts to find lost service men and women of past conflicts. In May 2001 the estimated number of motorcycles involved in this rally was 200,000. The event drew an estimated 350,000 motorcyclists in May 2008.
Chapters
Rolling Thunder has 88 chapters covering 29 states all of which are governed by the same constitution and bylaws. Many of Rolling Thunder's members are veterans; however, that is not a requirement for membership.
Rolling Thunder also allows for the formation of new chapters worldwide. All chapters of Rolling Thunder have their own president and board members and are accountable for fund raising proceeds and tax information. New chapters must have a minimum of 20 members including the president and board members. Each Rolling Thunder chapter is required to have a unique patch specific to only that chapter with no resemblance to another, and without infringing on any trade marks.
Charities
Rolling Thunder has expanded its operations to include Rolling Thunder Charities as of 2007, a class 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. This part of the organization adheres to the same laws that govern its parent corporation. Rolling Thunder Charities was designed to help members as well as U.S. Military troops and their families that are in need of financial help. Rolling Thunder Charities are involved with the selling of Rolling Thunder memorabilia as well as other fundraising opportunities.
Legislation
Rolling Thunder was influential in the passing of the Missing Service Personnel Act of 1993. The bill states that a service member cannot be listed as killed in action (KIA) without substantial evidence. In 1995 Rolling Thunder Inc. won approval from the United States Government for a POW/MIA postage stamp to be put in circulation and the organization continues to work with the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives on new bills for the return of, and information about, servicemen and women. Rolling Thunder co-authored the 2006 Respect for America's Fallen Heroes Act, which prohibits protests such as those of taking place near funeral proceedings for fallen military personnel. Rolling Thunder Inc's current legislative effort is attaining passage of House Res 111, which calls for the immediate formation of a committee to oversee and investigate the whereabouts of all missing POW/MIA from all current and past wars.
Active & Veteran Clubs
11Th Cavalry Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club
Americas Guardians Motorcycle Club
American Veterans Motorcycle Club
Armadillos Motorcycle Club
Armed Forces Motorcycle Club
Bikers Of Baghdad
Brothers In Arms Motorcycle Club
C.A.V. –Canadian Army Veterans
Canadian Veteran Freedom Riders
Combat Veterans International
Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association
Comrades Motorcycle Club
Defenders Motorcycle Club
Falcons Motorcycle Club
Freedom Riders Motorcycle Club
Green Knights Motorcycle Club
Honorable Few Marine Corps League
In Country Motorcycle Club
Jarhead Veterans Motorcycle Club
Last Patrol Motorcycle Club
Leathernecks Motorcycle Club - USMC
Los Jefes Lococs Motorcycle Club
Marine Riders
Marines Motorcycle Club
Men Of War Motorcycle Club
Military Veterans Motorcycle Club
Nam Knights Of America Motorcycle Club
National Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association
New Mexico Veterans Motorcycle Association
NorthWest Veterans Motorcycle Club
Patriot Guard Riders
POW / MIA Riders
Proud Few Motorcycle Club
Purple Heart Riders
Rolling Thunder
Rough Riders Motorcycle Club
Silent Service Motorcycle Club
Special Forces Motorcycle Club
Street Forces Of America Motorcycle Club
The Royal British Legion Riders Branch
True Soldiers
Uncaged Motorcycle Club
U.S. Military Vets Motorcycle Club
U.S. Veterans Motorcycle Club
Veterans Motorcycle Club
Veterans Motorcycle Club - Canada
Veterans Of Vietnam Motorcycle Club
Vietnam Vets / Legacy Vets Motorcycle Club
WarFighters Motorcycle Club
Warrior Brotherhood Veterans Motorcycle Club
World Wide Rydaz
Rolling Thunder 2012 Washington, DC
Rolling Thunder 2012 Washington, DC
Rolling Thunder a United States 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 group's first demonstration was in 1988. It was incorporated in 1995, and has more than 90 chapters throughout the US, as well as overseas.
The organization is often referred to as a "motorcycle group", but owning a motorcycle is not required.
Their main annual event occurs on the Sunday before Memorial Day, in which members make a slow ride on a dedicated, closed off, pre-set route, called Run to the Wall in Washington D.C., referring to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, also called the Ride for Freedom, which leaves the Pentagon parking lot at noon, crosses the Memorial Bridge, and ends at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. During the Rolling Thunder weekend, members and supporters spend time at the Thunder Alley,[clarification needed] visit significant areas of Washington D.C., particularly the numerous memorials, and hear speeches given by members, supporters, military officials and politicians.
History
In 1987 Rolling Thunder made its first ride to the Vietnam War Memorial.
Ray Manzo, a former United States Marine Corps Corporal, U.S. Army Sergeant Major John Holland (Ret.), Marine First Sergeant Walt Sides (Ret.) and Sergeant Ted Sampley (Ret.) are the four men that are credited with starting Rolling Thunder.
In 1987, Manzo visited the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., talked with fellow veterans, and first learned that American servicemen had been abandoned in Southeast Asia and the end of the Vietnam War. This was counter to his Marine Corps training to leave no man behind, and he became consumed with the idea that he must do something to bring attention to this issue. Manzo attended a POW/MIA vigil sponsored by the Vietnam Veterans Motorcycle Club when the idea came to him to host a motorcycle rally in the nation's capital to show the country and the world that U.S. prisoners of war and missing in action (POW/MIA) still mattered to their fellow servicemen and the country for which they sacrificed their freedom.
Manzo drafted a letter for a call to action and began mailing it to biker publications. He enlisted fellow veterans from the Washington D.C. area to help him through the red tape of requirements. Sgt. Major John Holland was experienced in government legislation and included 1st Sgt. Walt Sides, and Washington activist Sgt. Ted Sampley also joined them. These were the founders of Rolling Thunder. Ted Sampley's colleague, Bob Schmitt, coined the phrase "Rolling Thunder". While staring at the Memorial Bridge and envisioning Manzo's dream, he said, "It will be like the sound of rolling thunder coming across the bridge."
Rolling Thunder officially begins when hundreds of thousands of motorcycles and riders silently wait in the Pentagon parking lot, and at 12:00 noon, the engines are ignited as one huge thunderous rumble, which is heard, felt and seen along their slow progression and Run to the Wall. On Memorial Day 1988, Cpl. Manzo recruited 2,500 men and women to attend Rolling Thunder I.
Beginning in 1987 and continuing through the present, Rolling Thunder has conducted the Run to the Wall on the Sunday of Memorial Day Weekend to show their continued support for the efforts to find lost service men and women of past conflicts. In May 2001 the estimated number of motorcycles involved in this rally was 200,000. The event drew an estimated 350,000 motorcyclists in May 2008.
Chapters
Rolling Thunder has 88 chapters covering 29 states all of which are governed by the same constitution and bylaws. Many of Rolling Thunder's members are veterans; however, that is not a requirement for membership.
Rolling Thunder also allows for the formation of new chapters worldwide. All chapters of Rolling Thunder have their own president and board members and are accountable for fund raising proceeds and tax information. New chapters must have a minimum of 20 members including the president and board members. Each Rolling Thunder chapter is required to have a unique patch specific to only that chapter with no resemblance to another, and without infringing on any trade marks.
Charities
Rolling Thunder has expanded its operations to include Rolling Thunder Charities as of 2007, a class 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. This part of the organization adheres to the same laws that govern its parent corporation. Rolling Thunder Charities was designed to help members as well as U.S. Military troops and their families that are in need of financial help. Rolling Thunder Charities are involved with the selling of Rolling Thunder memorabilia as well as other fundraising opportunities.
Legislation
Rolling Thunder was influential in the passing of the Missing Service Personnel Act of 1993. The bill states that a service member cannot be listed as killed in action (KIA) without substantial evidence. In 1995 Rolling Thunder Inc. won approval from the United States Government for a POW/MIA postage stamp to be put in circulation and the organization continues to work with the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives on new bills for the return of, and information about, servicemen and women. Rolling Thunder co-authored the 2006 Respect for America's Fallen Heroes Act, which prohibits protests such as those of taking place near funeral proceedings for fallen military personnel. Rolling Thunder Inc's current legislative effort is attaining passage of House Res 111, which calls for the immediate formation of a committee to oversee and investigate the whereabouts of all missing POW/MIA from all current and past wars.
Active & Veteran Clubs
11Th Cavalry Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club
Americas Guardians Motorcycle Club
American Veterans Motorcycle Club
Armadillos Motorcycle Club
Armed Forces Motorcycle Club
Bikers Of Baghdad
Brothers In Arms Motorcycle Club
C.A.V. –Canadian Army Veterans
Canadian Veteran Freedom Riders
Combat Veterans International
Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association
Comrades Motorcycle Club
Defenders Motorcycle Club
Falcons Motorcycle Club
Freedom Riders Motorcycle Club
Green Knights Motorcycle Club
Honorable Few Marine Corps League
In Country Motorcycle Club
Jarhead Veterans Motorcycle Club
Last Patrol Motorcycle Club
Leathernecks Motorcycle Club - USMC
Los Jefes Lococs Motorcycle Club
Marine Riders
Marines Motorcycle Club
Men Of War Motorcycle Club
Military Veterans Motorcycle Club
Nam Knights Of America Motorcycle Club
National Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association
New Mexico Veterans Motorcycle Association
NorthWest Veterans Motorcycle Club
Patriot Guard Riders
POW / MIA Riders
Proud Few Motorcycle Club
Purple Heart Riders
Rolling Thunder
Rough Riders Motorcycle Club
Silent Service Motorcycle Club
Special Forces Motorcycle Club
Street Forces Of America Motorcycle Club
The Royal British Legion Riders Branch
True Soldiers
Uncaged Motorcycle Club
U.S. Military Vets Motorcycle Club
U.S. Veterans Motorcycle Club
Veterans Motorcycle Club
Veterans Motorcycle Club - Canada
Veterans Of Vietnam Motorcycle Club
Vietnam Vets / Legacy Vets Motorcycle Club
WarFighters Motorcycle Club
Warrior Brotherhood Veterans Motorcycle Club
World Wide Rydaz