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Rolling Thunder, Inc.
FACT SHEET
Incorporated in 1995, Rolling Thunder, Inc. is a class 501(c)(4)
non-profit organization with over 88 chartered chapters throughout the
United States and members abroad. While many members of Rolling Thunder
are veterans, and many ride motorcycles, neither qualification is a
prerequisite. Rolling Thunder members are old and young, men and women,
veterans and non-veterans. All are united in the cause to bring full
accountability for POWs and MIAs of all wars, reminding the government,
the media and the public by our watchwords: “We Will Not Forget.”
The
Rolling Thunder Story
In the fall of 1987, in a little diner, in Somerville, New Jersey, two
Vietnam veterans met to discuss their personal concerns about the
prisoners of war (POW) and missing in action (MIA) from the Vietnam
War. Having honorably served their country, and having taken an oath to
"support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all
enemies..." and to "bear true faith and allegiance to same," they were
deeply troubled by the abhorrent neglect of attention given to those
who did not make it out with their lives or their freedom. These two
veterans discussed the more than 10,000 reported sightings of live
Americans living in dismal captivity. Intelligence reports of these
sightings were generally ignored by the government and mainstream
press. Artie Muller and Ray Manzo were these two veterans.
The
First Rolling Thunder Demonstration
Artie and Ray were ordinary men who understood that they had a right to
have their voices heard and proceeded to lay down the plans for a
gathering in Washington, D.C. during the 1988 Memorial Day weekend.
They reached out to their families, fellow veterans and veteran's
advocates to unify and form a march and demonstration in the nations
Capital. John Holland, Walt Sides and Ted Sampley were responsible for
the permits for the first demonstration. Their arrival would be
announced by the roar of their motorcycles, a sound not unlike the 1965
bombing campaign against North Vietnam dubbed Operation Rolling
Thunder. Hence, they would call themselves "Rolling Thunder" a title
that would endure time and be trademarked in 1990. Word spread quickly
and by Memorial Day weekend in 1988, approximately 2,500 motorcycles
from all over the country converged on Washington, D.C. to demand from
our leaders a full accounting of all POW/MIA's. As they made their
stand that day in front of the Capitol, Artie and Ray reflected
thankfully for the people who came in support of the POW's and MIA's,
and for the unity that was felt. This was Rolling Thunder's first
demonstration. Only until ALL POW/MIA's ARE ACCOUNTED FOR, it will not
be their last. On that day, the foundation was laid for the annual
"Ride for Freedom" to the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Wall (also
referred to as the "Ride to the Wall"). The number of
participants/spectators in the Memorial Day weekend Ride for Freedom
has grown from 2,500 to an estimated 900,000.
VETERAN
& COMMUNITY SERVICE
In 2007, Rolling Thunder, Inc. Charities, Inc. was established as a
501(c)(3) tax exempt, non-profit organization which enables individuals
and corporations to receive a tax deduction for funds donated to
Rolling Thunder Charities. These funds are used for veterans, active
military and their families in need of help. No officers of Rolling
Thunder Charities, Inc. receive compensation; we all donate our time.
Rolling Thunder, Inc. spends hundreds of thousands of dollars each
year in financial aid, food, clothing and other essentials to veterans,
homeless veterans and veterans' families in need, women's' crisis
centers and toys for children.
In 2005, Rolling Thunder, Inc. united with the National Alliance of
POW/MIA Families to petition the U.S. Government to use the designation
“Prisoner of War/Missing in Action” (POW/MIA) – a designation
recognized by the Geneva Conventions - not “Missing/Captured”. This
will ensure that prisoners’ rights and protections remain consistent
under the Geneva Conventions.
Expenditures exceed over half a million dollars a year, nationwide,
to educate the public and increase awareness about the POW/MIA issue
and other injustices suffered by veterans. The organization regularly
donates POW/MIA flags to local area schools, youth groups, non-profit
organizations and special interest groups, and organizes flag raising
ceremonies. Veterans speak to youth groups about the honor of serving
their country and educating them about the POW/MIA issue.
Rolling Thunder, Inc. sponsors search missions into Southeast Asia for
POWs/MIAs, and the remains of those killed in action.
Thousands of hours are logged in by Rolling Thunder, Inc. members at
local VA hospitals nationwide. Members visit and provide moral support
to nursing home veterans and patients suffering from Post-Traumatic
Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Rolling Thunder, Inc. helped facilitate the publishing of a POW/MIA
U.S. postage stamp through the U.S. Postal Service that displayed dog
tags with the declaration - "POW & MIA - NEVER FORGOTTEN"
Rolling Thunder, Inc. National is on the Board of Directors of the
Ride to the Wall Foundation, a veterans' fund established through the
sales of the musical CD, "Ride to the Wall" produced for Rolling
Thunder XIV by Paul Revere & the Raiders in cooperation with
Rolling Thunder, Inc.
Rolling Thunder, Inc. participated in the dedication of the World War
II Memorial in 2004 and assisted with organizing the World War II
parade that took place on that historic date.
LEGISLATION
Rolling Thunder, Inc. has advocated and/or co-authored legislation to
improve the POW/MIA issue, veterans' benefits, concerns and interests
as follows:
House
Resolution 111
Since 2007 we continue to lobby Congress to establish a Select
Committee on POW/MIA Affairs. The Committee would conduct a full
investigation of all unresolved matters relating to any United States
POWs/MIAs unaccounted for from the Iraqi War, Afghanistan, Gulf War,
Vietnam War, the Korean War, Cold War and WWII.
Encourage the designation of “Hire a Veteran Week” (H.Con.Res. 125)
(Bill Summary)
Rolling Thunder, Inc. expressed support for the designation and goals
of “Hire a Veteran Week” and encouraged the President to issue a
proclamation supporting these goals. Passed the House under suspension
of the rules by unanimous voice vote on July 24, 2006. On July 25, 2006
the bill was received by the Senate and the Senate concurred.
Respect for Fallen Heroes Act of 2006 (H.R. 5037) (Bill Summary)
Legislation to prohibit certain demonstrations at cemeteries under the
control of the National Cemetery Administration at Arlington National
Cemetery and for other purposes. On May 24, 2006 it passed the Senate
with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. The House agreed to suspend the
rules and agreed to the Senate amendment by voice vote on that same
day. On May 29, 2006 the bill was signed by the President. Public Law
109-228).
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