MISSION
STATEMENT
Rolling
Thunder Inc's. major function is to publicize the POW/MIA issue. To
educate the public of the fact that many American prisoners of war were
left behind after all past wars.
To
help correct the past and to protect future veterans from being left
behind should they become prisoners of war-missing in action. We are
committed to helping disabled veterans from all wars.
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