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Rolling Thunder Freedom Ride (Ride to the Wall) XXVI

3K views 8 replies 8 participants last post by  Crzylgzz 
#1 ·
Hey all, I had at least one from the forum interested in potentially linking up and riding to DC this year (Q-hog: Tag your it. :D) so I wanted to post this here for anyone interested. I posted this to my FB wall the other day in effort to spread the word about Rolling Thunder to those not in the know. If you're interested in the ride but not so much the organization, no worries - this is open to anyone so skip over the RT GA Chap 1 propaganda and get to the ride stuff (red font). :cool:

Georgia Friends, If you are opposed to uncovering, reciting the Pledge of Allegiance and giving a moment of silence and reflection for those who never returned from our nation's current and previous wars then please move on... nothing to see here. If however this moves you, consider Rolling Thunder Georgia Chapter 1.

Our Chapter has just reformed, having held our first meeting at the National Infantry Museum (Fort Benning) today (20 April 2013). I, as the newly appointed Vice President of RT GA 1 would like to extend an invite to anyone in Georgia who would like to learn more and hopefully participate in our mission of publicizing the POW-MIA issue, educating the public that many American Prisoners of War (POW's) were left behind during previous wars and to help protect future veterans from being left behind should they become POW's or Missing in Action (MIA). We are committed to helping American veterans from all wars.

Many of you are familiar with the annual Rolling Thunder "Ride to the Wall" in our nation's capital over Memorial Day weekend and we are expecting upwards of 1 million riders to participate in the 26 May 2013 demonstration ride. I've included some pictures of this event that I've taken from previous years. If anyone is interested in attending this year's event, Me and Mary Anne will be departing from our home on Thursday, 23 May and getting back to GA Tuesday, 28 May. Please either post a comment here or PM me if interested in riding up with us. I have hotel & event info / schedule if needed and we'd be thrilled to have you along. You do NOT need to be a member of Rolling Thunder to attend this event, however, if you are riding with Rolling Thunder, I can more than likely get you in the lineup with Chapter 1 or another GA chapter so that you are towards the front of the near 1 million riders and won't be stuck for hours in the Pentagon parking lot the day of the ride (Sunday, 26 May). This is an incredible, life changing event, especially if you've never been. I got to hug and talk with a very special Gold Star Mother one year - she was the mother of Kris Stonesifer, a young B co. 3/75 Ranger Regiment warrior that was killed in action on a mission with me in October 2001 during the initial assault in Afghanistan - we both shed more than one tear. It is absolutely humbling who you meet at this event.

Rolling Thunder is not a Motorcycle Club (MC) but many of us do ride and will be riding in DC this year. It doesn't matter if you ride a bike, drive a car, boat, bus, rickshaw, walk, whatever - if you are interested in POW-MIA issues as well as current veteran issues - come check us out, oh - and you need not be a veteran to become a member. Our next meeting (you don't need to be a member) will be held at the Infantry Museum, upstairs in the back conference room of the Fife and Drum Restaurant at 1230, 18 May - we'd love to have you and maybe you'd love to have us... as your brothers and sisters dedicated to the same cause.

Please share this post to help spread the word!
 

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#2 ·
Ill be there. Except its a little closer for me (1hr) lol. It's an amazing event that should make us all as a nation be thankful for what we have. To see the hundreds of thousands that turn out in support, is truley amazing.
 
#4 ·
I will also be there and live a lil closer.. It is an amazing event and one that does ya heart good..

One thing I might suggest for those that have never been to Rolling Thunder. Leaving with the main group from the Pentagon is a long day. Expect a 4 hour wait from the time the head of the column leaves till the last riders leave the the parking lot. Not to mention that you arrive several hours early to form up and check out all the other folks and their bikes. Long day of sitting and waiting.

I've found for me it is best to ride in with one of the American Legion groups. I generally join up with the Greenbelt American Legion Post 136. They server a great lil breakfast (for a donation) that starts around 7am in the morning and form up about 8 for the ride in. Full Police escort by MD Highway patrol to the DC Line then the DC MPD take over and escort you to a private parking lot by the Washington channel down by the Jefferson Memorial. From there it is a short walk to the Wall and other memorials.

Many of the local American Legion group do similar in Md and Va. It may not match the prestige of the large column leaving from the Pentagon, but last year we had a couple thousand in our smaller group. And you get there before the main column arrives so you get to enjoy watching them come in.

Anyway you get in, it is a awesome experience and one you'll probably never forget.
 
#5 ·
I will be doing the RFTW all the way starting in Ontario, ca. I'm not a vet but grew up in the military (dad always told me I was drafted at birth and would be eligible for discharge when I turned 18). I will be riding with my father-in-law and one of his buddies, both Vietnam vets. My dad won't get on a bike so I'm riding in his honor, also a Vietnam vet, and my grandfather, who served in ww2. Can't think of a better way to celebrate freedom and honor those who have served.
 
#6 ·
Will be there!! We have a group of vets from Ohio that ride over each year, some Viet Nam some gulf some Iraq, It is a very good feeling to be with brothers that understand what this is all about.There is always alittle healing happening those few days.
 
#8 ·
Bring it Big Boy! Seriously, if you can - would love to have you. You'll need to make lodging arrangements with a quickness though as area digs fill up fast for this event. I can PM you the hotel info where we are staying later today if you want.
 
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