Rolling Thunder’s 20th Anniversary Ride To Washington

Yesterday marks the 20th Anniversary of Rolling Thunder’s Ride to Washington.  Since I just heard about this on the radio this morning, I will not pretend to be in the know.  From a contributor at Associated Content:

Every year on Memorial Day weekend hundreds of thousands of motorcycles roll into Washington D.C. This year will be no different, and if you are in the area- this spectacle is something you won’t want to miss.

The Rolling Thunder Motorcycle Rally will start on May 25th, 2007 and end on May 28th, 2007. The parking spots on the street are blocked off and reserved for motorcycles only, the street is also blocked off during the ride. The ride started in 1987 as the “Run to the Wall”, the wall being the Vietnam Memorial Veterans Wall. Thousands gather in the nations capital to ride for the POW’s (Prisoners of War) and those who are MIA (Missing in Action). Motorcyclists travel from all over the country to pay tribute to those who served their country. That’s what the whole rally is about- showing the country that we still care and will never forget. It is held rain or shine, just as the soldiers fought for our freedom.

From what I can tell, there were hundreds of thousands of participants and the route will start at the Pentagon and end at the Lincoln Memorial.  I’ll have to attend one year for sure.

I’d like to simply say thanks to all who have served, and especially to those who paid the ultimate price for their country. 

2 Comments

[…] Original post by angrybob […]

While this event started as a memorial to our service men, it’s turned into a “Harley Happening”. It’s now about making the scene at a predominantly “biker” event like Daytona or Sturgis. Where they used to just showed up to pay their respects, the money-changers have arrived with the entire circus of debauchery. Nothing like hearing “show us your tits” on the Mall near the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

Beyond a lack of riding skill, these folks become a total nuisance and danger to local traffic. I’ve been run off the road in a car by these guys because they think “supporting their country” entitles them to ignore traffic laws.

It’s really reassuring (NOT) that the image conscious Harley riders keep usurping what are motorcycling events. Unlike when the event started, most of the riders aren’t veterans and many don’t even know one.

I’ll have to give ‘em credit, when they decide they are going to make an event theirs, they scare away just about everyone else. And not just with attitude, but noise and numbers.

Just in case you think I don’t know what I’m talking about, I lived in the area for the last 5 years.

You can fool yourself this is a show of support for our troops. But it’s really mostly about a bunch of drunk hooligans getting together as a mob! Hey, boys, party in D.C. this weekend! Sad…..

For those of you who really come to pay tribute, I say “good on ya”. For the rest I say “stay home”!

Rhino

Comment by Anonymous | May 31st, 2007 3:37 pm | Permalink

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