 Road Trips: Rolling Thunder XVIII
Posted byherseyc on Tuesday, May 31, 2005 @ 08:43:26 EDT
Contributed by herseyc
For the last 8 years or so I have made it a point to attend the annually Rolling Thunder Demonstration held the Sunday before Memorial Day in Washington DC. This year was no different, on Sunday morning before the sun came up, Sandy and I headed North towards DC to offer our respect to those that have given all to defend this country and to demand accountability for those that never returned. This will probably be the last year that we make the trip.
So much has changed since the first time that I sat in the Pentagon parking lot waiting to roll out with the others that truly believe in the cause of holding the government accountable for the service members that have been left behind. There are still those that have not forgotten why they are there and what it is all about, but they are the minority. For most it is just another “rally”, an excuse to drink beer and buy another useless t-shirt.
Even at the memorials there is little or no respect shown for those that are memorialized. Walking the Vietnam Wall seeing the friends, mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, sons, and daughters breaking down when they find their loved ones name and then hearing someone say “Hey when are we going to head to thunder alley to check out the vendors?” Before you say that this is just one asshole, I heard something to this effect many times as Sandy and I paid our respects at the wall. Can they not feel the power of the names on the wall? Is that t-shirt, a useless piece of cheap cotton, really that important that they are not able to forget about it for the few minutes it takes to walk the wall?
I remember the first flyer that I saw for Rolling Thunder many years ago. It actually stated (though I do not remember the exact words) this is not a parade, this is not a rally, Rolling Thunder is a demonstration to demand accountability for those POWs/MIAs still missing.
The news media has even lost site of what the demonstration is about. Again maybe not every news story but I saw two clips Sunday evening after Sandy and I returned home and you would have thought they were talking about Daytona, Laconia, or Sturgis, not a demonstration. Of the 2 clips I saw, only one of them even mentioned that Rolling Thunder had anything to do with POW/MIA or veterans issues. What is up with that?
I would like to know how the organizers feel about these things. Do they see this happening also?
People need to realize that not everything is about the party, the t-shirts, the patches, the bike shows, or whatever. Some things just mean a more.
I will continue to honor those men and women of the armed forces. I will never forget those that have died defending this country. I will continue to make a trip up to DC to pay my respect at the Vietnam Memorial, the Korean War Memorial, and the WWII Memorial. I will continue to do what I can to demand accountability for those who have not returned.
Hopefully, one day, people will remember why they are there and what it is about.
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Re: Rolling Thunder XVIII (Score: 1)
by vt800c on Wednesday, June 01, 2005 @ 12:00:48 EDT
(User Info | Send a Message) | | I also rode in Rolling Thunder. maybe it was the wait for 4 1/2 hours in south parking, yes some of the riders got tired of waiting and left. they went Downtown to pay their respects. I also saw the flags flying on the bikes, the POW/MIA as wellas the American flag. I looked into the eyes of the woman who shook my hand and thanked me for doing my time in the military, to ensure her freedom. I never went to battle, and only did 20 years to retire, but she was sincere in her thanks and rememberance. During the ride, I looked at the other veterans that lined the streets, and saw the smiles in their faces and the pride in the way they stood. I could see who were the vets, I could see the ones who cared, and I could also see the ones who didn't get it. yeah they're still there, and always will be. but hopefully us vets will be there to ensure they can still do as they choose. thats what it was all about in the first place, wasn't it? I'll ride every year I can, not only for the ones left behind, but the ones we lost here, like my friend who cannot ride anymore from being in the first gulf war. when he told me he had to sell his gold wing, because he didn't have the strength left to balance it, I decided He is who will be my 'wingman' on the ride. It's said that if we look for bad things we'll find it. sometimes it's too easy to ook for the bad,than it is to see the diamonds in the rough. but look at the guy standing on the side as you ride past, holding his little son up so they can see the bikes. That American flag they're waiving STILL is the best damn one out there! I'll be back next year. Look for me in the Pentagon Parking lot. I'll be there with the thousands remembering our brothers and friends. |
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Re: Rolling Thunder XVIII (Score: 1)
by RIDERB on Wednesday, June 08, 2005 @ 12:29:43 EDT
(User Info | Send a Message) | This year was my first ride in Rolling Thunder (XVIII). Boy, was I glad that I did it. Besides spending the prior week in my garage prepping my bike for what was to come. I really had no idea what to expect.
I rode with two friends who came by that morning for me to prep their bikes as well. They are brothers, born in a war torn country under a dictator, they began to me their story and why this ride was important to them. When you talk to someone who lived under a dictatorship and saw first hand how the U.S. Military brought liberation, it really put things into perspective.
Once we got to the Pentagon, about 10 AM, we sat in the parking lot until 3:45 PM before we were given the go ahead. Once in line, my 15 minutes of fame began. Once over the bridge headed through town, I saw many solidiers lined up saluting me as I passed by. One person adorned with his metals and uniform, in a wheelchair, wheeled his way out into the street to high-five as I rode by. He yelled "Catch enough wind for the both of us!". When he said that my heart nearly jumped out of my chest. These people, who were willing to pay to ultimate price was standing in the street saluting and thanking me. I thought, how ironic, when I should be thanking them.
I was glad to ride with friends that took this day seriously. They really appreciate the things that we as native born citizens can take for granted.
This was a humbling experience, how arrogant are people to complain about waiting in the heat, so impatient some people left to return home or go on another ride outside of D.C. Or, they came only to be seen and have bragging rights among neighbors and friends. For them, if they ride next year, I hope to meet them and introduce them to people that put this day in perspective for me.
Afterall, the contribtion and respect I gave during that day pales in comparison to the contribution and respect of those names listed on the wall or those who still wear their battle scars of freedom proudly. |
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