MENU 
 
Rolling Thunder Washington, D.C. Inc.
Rolling Thunder XXXII Official Guide Link!


 
 
Mission Statement:
Rolling Thunder Washington, DC, Inc's mission is to educate, facilitate, and never forget by means of a demonstration for service members that were abandoned after the Vietnam War. The Rolling Thunder First Amendment Demonstration Run has also evolved into a display of patriotism and respect for all who defend our country.
First Amendment Demonstration Run:
The Rolling Thunder First Amendment Demonstration Run is an annual protestand gathering that first started in 1988. Motorcycle riders from around the nation, and even around the world rally in the Pentagon parking lots and then begin riding a designated route through the Mall area of Washington, D.C. Afterward, it is an opportunity to meet old and new friends, pay respect at the memorials and participate in the Memorial Day events. The event is an actual demonstration/protest to bring awareness and accountability for POWs and MIAs left behind.
Brief History:
Rolling Thunder Washington, DC Inc., and its mission began as a demonstration following the era of the Vietnam War, which was a difficult time in our history. Many of America’s military were killed or missing in action (MIA) and their remains were not being returned home or respectfully buried. There were also reports of live prisoners of war (POW) who were left behind when the war ended. In 1987, Vietnam veteran Ray Manzo (CPL, USMC), bothered by these accounts, came to DC with his idea and met and enlisted the help of fellow veterans to organize a motorcycle demonstration to bring attention to the POW/MIA situation. Choosing Memorial Day weekend for the event, they envisioned the arrival of the motorcycles coming across the Memorial Bridge, and thought it would sound like“Rolling Thunder”. The first Run in 1988, had roughly 2500 motorcycles and riders demanding that the U.S. government account for all POW/MIA’s. It continues to grow every year, becoming the world’s largest single-day motorcycle event. Now with over a million riders and spectators combined, Rolling Thunder has evolved into an emotional display of patriotism and respect for all who defend our country.

 
Click on the image to watch the brief video on how Rolling Thunder started.
Current Numbers of Unaccounted For:
 






WWI - 4,420
WWII - 72,719
Korea - 7,661
Vietnam - 1,589
Cold War - 126
Iraq - Other Conflicts - 6
STILL UNACCOUNTED FOR - 86,521    "Unaccounted for is Unacceptable" ~SSG Arthur T. Foss
Rolling Thunder Washington, DC, Inc. Board of Directors





Walt Sides
Executive Director

RTWDC Founding Member

USMC Vietnam Veteran
Laura Sides
Chairman of the Board

USAF Veteran
Rob Wilkins
President

USAF Veteran
Bernie Richardson
Vice President

US Army Veteran
Hal Koster
Secretary

US Army Vietnam Veteran




Paul Hustler
Chief Security Officer

US Army Veteran
Ted Shpak
Director

US Army Vietnam Veteran
Travis Haymore
Veteran Outreach

Internet Technologies

USAF Veteran
Sarah Hustler-Cressman
Security Officer

US Army Veteran
 
Latest Releases :
 
Airman Accounted For From World War II (McGowan, W.)
 
Soldier Accounted For From Korean War (Lawler, C.)
 
Soldier Accounted For From World War II (Brown, R.)
 
Airman Accounted For From World War II (Gochnauer, T.)
Countdown Timer for 2019 Demonstration Run
1
Day16
Hours14
Minutes9
Seconds
i


 

 
 




For Info - info@rollingthunderrun.com
Webmaster - travis@rollingthunderrun.com