Tomorrow Sunday May 24, the 22nd annual motorcycle event called Rolling Thunder will honor all the Vets, POWs and MIA’s of all wars. You saw the parade on TV, while in Washington or even have been part of it. But you may not know about this rally’s history. Rolling Thunder began as a demonstration following the era of the Vietnam War, which was a difficult time in America’s history. Many of America’s military were killed or missing in action and their remains were not being brought home to be respectfully buried and honored. In 1988, Artie Muller and Ray Manzo, 2 veterans of the Vietnam War, rallied together their families, fellow veterans, and veterans’ advocates to organize a demonstration at the Capitol Building in Washington, DC during the Memorial Day weekend.
A group of 2500 bikers participated asking the government to account for all MIA/s and POW/s. Since then, an annual “Ride For Freedom” is organized every Sunday of Memorial Day weekend. The parade destination is the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, and if you are a spectator in Washington on Sunday, the best and most spectacular viewing spot is along the Arlington Memorial Bridge and Constitution Avenue. The parade will begin to assemble from 7am to noon at the Pentagon parking lot. Departure at noon. Rolling Thunder.
RIP all the men and women who have given their lives. My utmost respect and thanks to all whom have served, those from the USA as well as those from other countries that have fought along side of our men and women.
Viet Nam era was turbulant and we treated our soldiers with disgrace, a very digruntled time not too different than todays time, Rolling Thunder and the Wall are both thanks and reminders of how we can lose sight of personal sacrifice when one is not involved and tribute/reminders lest we tend to start to forget again.
. Thank those that serve when you see them and not just this weekend, those that serve today volunteer to serve, it is a bit different then when you go to the mailbox and a letter awaits you telling you your path is determined. The “1A” designate I saw in mine was telling and defintley will get your attention in a different way than a letter telling you you have been accepted to a college in todays world.
I love and am proud to be an American but am very concerned that the basis of America, the is changing to an America not We may not have a voice if we sit back and think
so that we can run our mouths on here and
Sorry touched the submit by accident and last paragraph lost, jumbled and not saved as written;
So in finishing my initial comment last paragraph as follows –
, should have read the basis of America, “The Constitution”, is being forgotten and not followed and as such we are changing to an America not of my liking. Get involved as too many of us just sit back and think it is all rhetoric, but not.
We run our mouths on here and in the work places and clubs while our surroundings are a changing; what kind of America do you want to leave for your kids, it is not left or right, dem or rep, it is about the people not government of self servant entities.
Again thanks to the Soldiers.
Respectfully
Grayhawk
And all Vets, don’t forget that the VA (Vets always) provides the worlds finest health care. Sign up. The VA was created for you to use, so get down there and sign up. Now.
Got Hep-C ?
Stomp a mud-hole in it’s butt. If you’re thinking about getting cured. Do it now. It’s fun and only takes 4 weeks to see the first results. No worse than having the flu without the fever.
I’ve had Kaiser Health care before. Pretty good California health care.
I’ve see active duty health care at Balboa Hospital in San Diego. Now I’m at the VA in La Jolla (hoya). The only difference in “active duty” health care and “VA” health care, is that you always see people in uniform at “active duty” (because it’s actually a naval base) and at the VA it’s all civvies. The best doctors and nurses. Everything is computerized, any doctor seeing you has all your info instantly, even if they haven’t seen you in a while. Go Vet.
There is no better, deeper resourced health care in America. How could there be ?…… the VA has the deep pockets of the federal government. 🙂
Seems that Obama showed some interest.
http://washingtontimes.com/news/2009/may/23/obama-privately-meets-rolling-thunder/
As a member of the Patriot Guard and a Marine Vet I salute all that gave so much so we can ride so free.
To all of our men and women in uniform today, to all those who once wore the uniform and especially to all those who gave their life so we as a nation can live free …… THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS EACH OF YOU AND YOUR LOVED ONES!
Over & Out,
Jeff
if you have never gone to DC for this rally you should make it a point to go.
its a very moving experience.
thank you to all the Vets, past and present.
To the men and women in uniform, here and abroad, Thank You for your service and sacrifice to our country! As an American Citizen, it is my duty to live my life to the fullest, and acheive the American Dream. As a meber of The Kansas Patriot Guard, American Legion Riders from American Legion Post 136 in Mulvane, Kansas, (Where it all began.) it is my honor to be there to see you on your way to your deployment, to welcome you back to your home and family, and sometimes, to stand in defense of you, our defenders, to ensure you the peaceful, respectful, memorial you so greatly deserve. God Bless our warriors, past, present, and future, and GOD BLESS THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA!!!
Hey Kirk Perry- you are spot on except for one little thing- a lot of the doctors working at the V.A. are in fact military folks on loan to the V.A. I know this because when I had my heart rebuilt four years ago, it was at the V.A., but it was an Army doctor who did the slicing and dicing. He did a great job, as I’m obviously still around. Every day above ground is a good day.
That being said, as a retired Marine and a U.S. citizen, my respects and thanks to all who have served and are serving, and may the good Lord look over those who never made it back. God Bless our troops.
“a lot of the doctors working at the V.A. are in fact military folks on loan to the V.A.”
Yes that’s true, but at La Jolla VA, they don’t wear uniforms.
Note, some VA hospitals may not be up to par with others yet. That is changing daily. The VA is gearing up for long term war efforts and veteran services worldwide.
Went in for a blood draw and the tech said, “Don’t pump your fist. Relax your arm”.
???, (I wondered).
“Painless-needle’s now.” he smiled.
Another VA first.