The rumblings from motorcycles that those in the Washington D.C. area are going to here on Sunday will be from Rolling Thunder, a group dedicated to honoring prisoners of war and those missing in action.
Members of the organization will assemble at the North Pentagon Parking Lot at 8 a.m. Sunday, according to the group’s website. At noon, motorcyclist will ride through Washington D.C. to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial to pay respects to those who died in battle.
The organization was incorporated in 1995 and has more than 90 chartered chapters throughout the country. But Rolling Thunder held its first demonstration in during Memorial Day weekend in 1988, and more than 2,500 motorcyclist gathered in the Nation’s Capital to join in on the demonstrations.
That number has grown tremendously since their first demonstration. Now, there’s an estimated 900,000 participants and spectators, according to the organization.
“Our Troops are constantly put at more risk because of the new directives for the rules of engagement put into effect by this administration,” Rolling Thunder said on its website.
“This is not Democrat or Republican; it is the difference between right and wrong. Why are the same rules of engagement not forced upon the enemy? Why did we give support, money and arms to the same terrorists in Libya that we are fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan? These weapons will find their way to the terrorists we are fighting and be used against our Troops. Will we ever learn?”
The group said it will continue to demonstrate until the last POW is accounted for.
“Our Veterans need to be treated with respect and to receive the benefits they deserve now,” Rolling Thunder said in a letter to all its riders.
