Nov. 11, 2016: Thank You To All Veterans

For Many Veterans, "Live To Ride - Ride To Live" is profoundly true.

Tribute to Vets
Sturgis 2014

Rat Patrol - Daytona Bike Week 2009

Rolling Thunder - Run to the Wall 

Today, we honor our family & friends, who are veterans and we pray for PEACE.

Trump Spoke at 29th Rolling Thunder Demonstration Run

5/29/2016 -- Hundreds of thousands of bikers assembled at the Pentagon before riding en masse through Washington D.C. to the Lincoln Memorial, where Donald J. Trump was a guest speaker at the 29th annual Rolling Thunder veteran's motorcycle run. 

 

Rolling Thunder Riders from as far away as California and Texas, cross the heartlands of America together for the annual "Freedom Ride" through Washington D.C., coming together for the biggest one-day rally in the USA. This year marks 29 years. - Video - MSgt Rob Wilkins, USAF, Ret. 

The first Rolling Thunder run, in 1987 was made in an attempt to petition the government to take responsibility for the soldiers that were abandoned after the Vietnam War ended. Four Vietnam veterans, exercising their First Amendment "right to petition and assemble," organized a group of 2,500 veterans on motorcycles to ride through the streets of Washington D.C. to bring awareness of the plight of prisoners of war (POW) and those missing in action (MIA.)

Today, more than 500,000 riders participate in the Freedom Ride and as many as 900,000 people line the streets to welcome them to the nation's capitol.


Nancy Regg, a spokeswoman for Rolling Thunder, said the group invited Mr. Trump to appear. The group did not extend an invitation to Hillary Clinton or Senator Bernie Sanders, she told the New York Times.

Richard McFadden, 58, an annual Rolling Thunder attendee from North Carolina, said Mrs. Clinton would not have been welcome. Read more.

Rolling Thunder XXVIII Memorial Day Freedom Ride: May 22-25

Riders from as far away as California and Texas, cross the heartlands of America together for the annual Freedom Ride Through Washington DC, coming together for the biggest one-day rally in the USA. This year marks 28 years -- May 22 to 25, 2015.


Nearly four million people have watched this video of Marine Sgt. Tim Chambers, standing for more than four hours at attention to salute the Rolling Thunder riders crossing the Washington Bridge. 

First Amendment Demonstration Run
The Rolling Thunder First Amendment Demonstration Run is an annual ride and gathering that first started in 1988. Riders from around the nation, and even around the world rally in the Pentagon parking lots and begin the run through the streets of Washington, D.C. Afterward, it is an opportunity to meet old and new friends, pay respect at the memorials and participate in the Memorial Day events.

Historic Interview With Rolling Thunder Founders

Rolling Thunder Run To The Wall - Freedom Ride Through Washington DC

Annually on Memorial Day Weekend 

Rolling Thunder began in 1987 as a demonstration to bring awareness to the plight of prisons of war (POW) and to those missing in action (MIA.) Rolling Thunder originated when four Vietnam Veterans, exercising their First Amendment "Right to Petition and Assemble," organized the first group of 2,500 motorcycles to ride through the streets of Washington, DC. The first Rolling Thunder run was made in an attempt to petition the government to take responsibility for the soldiers that were abandoned after the Vietnam War ended.

Today, more than 500,000 riders participate in this "Freedom Ride" and as many as 900,000 people line the streets to welcome them to Washington DC.

See a slideshow of this year's Rolling Thunder Run at the official website: RollingThunderRun.com

Famed Bike Builder Billy Lane, Home & Married

Orlando, Florida - Famed bike builder Billy Lane is a free man and a married man. Congratulations to Billy & Erin on your new life together as Husband & Wife...!!!.. Billy was released on Sept. 19, 2014 after satisfying a 6-year prison sentence on a drunk driving, vehicular homicide charge that resulted in the death of a fellow biker in 2009. The Choppers Inc. builder from Melbourne, Florida has been working here in Orlando at Global Motor Werks as part of an Avon Park work-release program. He will remain on probation for three years.

Billy Lane holds seven US patents on motorcycle parts and accessories and has authored two books, an autobiography,  Billy Lane's Chop Fiction: It's not a Motorcycle, Baby, It's a Chopper (2004) and Billy Lane's How to Build Old School Choppers, Bobbers and Customs (2005.) He also holds an Associate in Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Florida State University as well as a Bachelor in Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Florida International University.

Biker friend Jay Allen of Broken Spoke Saloon stood by Billy through some of his years in prison... helping to deliver an Air Force tribute bike built from prison in 2012 that was unveiled on Memorial Day Weekend at Rolling Thunder's 25th Anniversary rally in Washington DC. The story of the build was covered exclusively by The Horse Backstreet Choppers magazine, including photos and text by Billy himself featured in an 8-page spread (July-Aug. 2012.)

Billy Lane built this beautiful Air Force tribute bike that was unveiled May 25, 2012 in Washington DC. It joined 4 other tribute bikes, each representing a branch of the Armed Services. "I hope you can see through all the hard work put into this Air Force bike how much we appreciate all of your service and hard work," Billy said, addressing the men and women of the Air Force. "That's why I chose a 1930's Speedway racer. It represents incredible speed. It's lightweight and it's obviously the fastest of the five bikes out there."

You can reconnect with Billy Lane at the Facebook - Choppers Inc. page, which has been managed by his sister, Georgia since the Melbourne shop closed in 2009.

 

Memorial Day Run Through Washington 2014 Freedom Ride

Rolling Thunder Run XXVII: Memorial Day Weekend 2014

Sunday, May 25, 2014 - Riders will depart at noon from the Pentagon. Speaker Program and Musical Tribute at 1:30 pm at the Reflecting Pool across from the Lincoln Memorial.

Rolling Thunder began in 1987 as a demonstration to bring awareness to the plight of prisons of war (POW) and to those missing in action (MIA.) Rolling Thunder originated when four Vietnam Veterans, exercising their First Amendment "Right to Petition and Assemble," organized the first group of 2,500 motorcycles to ride through the streets of Washington, DC. The first Rolling Thunder run was made in an attempt to petition the government to take responsibility for the soldiers that were abandoned after the Vietnam War ended.

The ride now referred to as a "Run To The Wall" is a healing experience for many war veterans, who make a cross-country ride together from as far away as California to visit the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall and to honor all veterans -- seeking to improve veteran benefits and to resolve POW/MIA issues. PHOTOS - VIDEOS 

In February 2014 every single Republican voted to kill Senate VA Committee Chairman. Bernie Sanders' bill to adequately fund the VA. -- But now the GOP is "outraged" that VA hospitals are under-staffed with long waiting lines?  Here's the story: VA Funding Called "Too Expensive"

Bikers Ride Through Washington D.C. 9/11/2013

Their parade permit to stage a ride through Washington D.C. was denied. But they came anyway... More than 880,000 bikers rolled into Washington D.C. today from across the country, to honor the victims of 9/11. They rolled through D.C. tweeting hash tags #2MBikers #alwaysremember.

With flags flying, the bikers head down 3rd Street through the National Mall, Washington D.C. 9/11/2013

The group called the 2 Million Bikers to DC led a parade of motorcycles through the nation's capitol to remember the people who died in the 9/11 terror attacks and the soldiers who subsequently fought al-Qaida in Afghanistan. It was announced in August, after a September 11 demonstration originally billed as the "Million Muslim March" -- but renamed the "Million American March Against Fear" in February -- received widespread media coverage. 


The second, more controversial purpose of the ride was to protest a permit issued to the other group, The American Muslim Political Action Committee, organizers of the Million Muslim March. 

The protest rally on the National Mall was billed as "a historical event for solidarity of humanity to establish peace, harmony and justice through a civil rights movement" set to protest public backlash against Muslims since the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.


A few dozen protesters turned up for the Million Muslim March at the National Mall and they were heckled from the street. The tiny demonstration was vastly outnumbers by a Christian group objecting to their event and the counter-protest of roughly 880,000 motorcycle riders honoring September 11 victims and veterans. 

The bikers vowed to have a "peaceful ride" and they were true to their word. The national ride's coordinator, Belinda Bee says the ride will be organized every year. "We are not going away, and there is no law against riding on the public streets that we paid for with our tax dollars."  




The 2 Million Bikers were turned down for a permit to demonstrate around the National Mall by the National Park Service. Such a large gathering of motorcycles on a weekday would cause "a severe disruption of traffic" and require more police than D.C. could provide. 

However, according to D.C. law, "it shall not be an offense to assemble or parade on a District street, sidewalk, or other public way, or in a District park, without having provided notice or obtained an approved assembly plan." So the event went forward -- legally -- without a permit.

The bikers vow to be back next year and every year on September 11. With a permit and police escort the parade ride might have been finished in three hours. But the determined bikers, stopping for traffic lights and obeying all road signs moved through D.C. at high noon, down 3rd Street at the National Mall, tangling D.C. traffic for about 6 hours.

Michael Knepper's “Heroes” depicts a group of riders going to ground zero. The number 343 
signifying the number of firefighters who died that day while trying to get
 thousands out of the burning buildings in NYC.

More than half a million bike riders have been riding through Washington D.C. over the Memorial Day weekend for the past 26 years, since just after the Vietnam War to honor combat veterans and to protest the U.S. Government's inaction in bringing home all soldiers missing in action in foreign countries.

An estimated 500,000 to 900,000 bike riders join the annual Rolling Thunder Memorial Day Weekend Ride Through Washington D.C. that begins in California and Texas, and picks up riders through the Southern States and the Midwest before joining riders in the Northeast to ride into Washington D.C. 

Read more:

Rolling Thunder XXVI Ride Memorial Day Weekend 2013

Hero's Painting Unveiled at 10th Anniversary 9/11 Rally

9/11 Heroes Across America Ride and Rally Images

Rolling Thunder Run XXVI: Memorial Day Weekend 2013

More than two million people have watched this video of Marine Sgt. Tim Chambers, standing for more than 4 hours at attention to salute the Rolling Thunder riders crossing the Washington Bridge. 

  Learn more about the annual Rolling Thunder Run and the cross-country "Run For The Wall"

Thanks to Southern Bike Night TV for posting their interview in 2010 with Artie Muller, national executive director and one of the founders of Rolling Thunder First Amendment Demonstration.

Rolling Thunder Run To The Wall - Freedom Ride Through Washington DC

Annually on Memorial Day Weekend 

Rolling Thunder began in 1987 as a demonstration to bring awareness to the plight of prisons of war (POW) and to those missing in action (MIA.) Rolling Thunder originated when four Vietnam Veterans, exercising their First Amendment "Right to Petition and Assemble," organized the first group of 2,500 motorcycles to ride through the streets of Washington, DC. The first Rolling Thunder run was made in an attempt to petition the government to take responsibility for the soldiers that were abandoned after the Vietnam War ended.

Today, more than 500,000 riders participate in this "Freedom Ride" and as many as 900,000 people line the streets to welcome them to Washington DC.

See a slideshow of this year's Rolling Thunder Run at the official website: RollingThunderRun.com

Rolling Thunder XXIV POW-MIA Ride Through Washington

"Run For the Wall" riders from as far away as California and Texas will again join fellow riders on Sunday, May 29th for the Rolling Thunder XXIV Ride Through Washington.. an event that draws more than 300,000 to the streets of DC.

Rolling Thunder -- the largest annual event in Washington D.C.  -- is a First Amendment demonstration run that takes place during Memorial Day weekend for POW/MIA awareness. Here are some of the activities planned for the weekend.

Friday, May 27th - 9pm Candlelight Vigil at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial
Saturday, May 28th - 9am Thunder Alley opens at 22nd St & Constitution Ave
11 am - US Navy Memorial Wreath Laying, Navy Plaza, 701 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
11 am - 3 pm - Saluting our Troops...speakers/musical tributes located on state between Reflecting Pool and Lincoln Memorial.
Sunday, May 29th - 7 am - Reveille - bikers rally in North Pentagon Parking lot.
12 noon - Rolling Thunder XXIV starts...bikers depart the North Pentagon parking lot.
1:30 pm - Rolling Thunder Speaker Program - speakers  on stage between Reflecting Pool and Lincoln Memorial.

Memorial Day, May 30 - 3 pm drawing for Rolling Thunder XXIV Raffle Bike 2011
at Thunder Alley, 22nd & Constitution Ave. NW. Tickets 3@ $10 available all weekend at Thunder Alley - Winner will be called by phone immediately after the drawing.

"We ride for those who can't" is the motto of the organization, Run For The Wall.

Click the flyer below to learn more about the RFTW mission to bring veterans on a cross-country journey to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall & Rolling Thunder Ride. 

RUN FOR THE WALL
By: Jennifer Jensen Walker
 
Thunder in the streets,
Tears in the eye,
As our love and honor
...Go to the ones that die.
We remember them,
We always hold them dear,
As they serve their country
Through their blood and fear.
Some families still wonder
Where their brothers may be hid,
But all we can do is honor them
For the service that they did.
So raise the flag up high!
Keep it ever from the dirt!
Help the soldiers in your life to see
We never want them hurt!
POW ... MIA ...
We pray that hearts will mend!
We cry for you, we ride for you,
Our vigil will not end!
Run for the wall!

Washington DC Memorial Day Weekend Rally Announced

[Wikimedia commons image by Christiano Del Riccio of the Rolling Thunder ride crossing the Memorial Bridge in Washington, DC on May 24, 2009]

This Memorial Day Weekend, for the first time ever, Stars & Stripes & Spokes™ -- “America’s Memorial Day Rally” will provide a new destination and gathering place for the more than 300,000 motorcycle enthusiasts who make the annual pilgrimage to the Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial Wall in Washington, DC.

This free outdoor rally begins Friday, May 27 and continues through Monday, May 30 at the RFK Stadium Festival Grounds. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Walter Reed Army Medical Center’s Walter Reed Society Warrior & Family Support Fund.

In a departure from the customary fare at other motorcycle events, various branches of the US armed forces will be displaying numerous military vehicles and other equipment for public access. Experienced crews will be present to explain and educate the public on the use of the vehicles and equipment to give attendees a better sense of exactly how the troops carry out their missions. There will also be live music, hundreds of vendors, lots of food and cold beer, and free bike parking. The legendary Blues and American Roots band, The Nighthawks will be playing Monday afternoon.


RFK Stadium is just two miles from the US Capitol Building and there will be signage for out-of-town visitors, not familiar with the Washington, DC area.

The Washington Convention and Sports Authority is a partner in this endeavor. The RFK Stadium Grounds are Metro accessible and there will be 14 acres designated exclusively for RVs. Visitors can come for the entire weekend and stay in DC with their campers. The campers must be self-contained. No tent camping is allowed.

Among the many vendors are Hot Leathers, Bob’s BMW, Biker Apparel, Stinger Trailers, Condor Products, Navy Federal Credit Union and Speeds Performance Plus. Look for full page ads in the following magazines: Laconia Rally News, AMA, Thunder Press, Fast Lane Biker, Motorcycle Monthly, Thunder Roads – Virginia and Vietnam Magazine. You will also find links to this rally on the following websites:

• Rolling Thunder®

• Harley Davidson of Washington

• Ride of the Patriots

“You owe it to yourself to witness the birth of what is sure to be a new tradition, the first-ever Stars & Stripes & Spokes™ Motorcycle Rally that we hope will provide a comfortable staging area for the many thousands of riders and DC tourists who are in town to pause and acknowledge the service of our fellow citizens who serve our nation under arms,” said Bruce Bieber, one of three rally co-founders, along with Walter Layton and Harold Bingham. The three DC area riding buddies have attended rallies together all over the country for years, and have been planning this event for three years.

“Stars & Stripes & Spokes™ will be open for business for four full days so you will have plenty of time to visit many of Washington, DC’s memorials, museums and other attractions,” said Bieber. “Washington is a great place to visit at least once in your lifetime because almost all of the museums and memorials are free and open to the public.

“While this event is new, we are building on a 24-year tradition of motorcycles gathering in DC for the ‘Ride to the Wall.’ You can drop by the RFK Stadium Festival Grounds before or after you participate in the annual Ride to the Wall on Sunday.

"Signs will be posted all over town clearly marking designated routes to and from the RFK Stadium Festival Grounds.

“Going into this first-year rally, we have the benefit of the participation and advice of Charlie St. Clair, the long-time Executive Director of Laconia Motorcycle Week, the oldest of the big, national motorcycle rallies, going into its 88th year," he said.

“Everyone is welcome to attend. You do not need to own a motorcycle to participate and enjoy this event. There will be enough food, music, shopping and special events to have broad appeal to motorcyclists, tourists and the local community. We really want this to be ‘America’s Memorial Day Celebration.’”

A portion of the funds from this rally will be donated to the Walter Reed Society’s Warrior/Family Support Fund that is used to assist service members and their families when support provided through Invitational Travel Orders (ITO) does not meet their immediate needs during a patient’s treatment at Walter Reed Army Medical Center (WRAMC.) The Walter Reed Society was established to support activities and fund projects to benefit the soldiers and staff at WRAMC. They also provide good stewardship of the funds donated and grants awarded to assist service members and/or their family members with unexpected financial needs and provide specially identified equipment and services related to patient care at WRAMC when other resources are not available.

For details, visit http://www.stars-stripes-spokes.com/ or email info@stars-stripes-spokes.com

Marine Salutes Rolling Thunder Riders in DC for 4 Hours

A solitary Marine holds vigil at full attention during the Rolling Thunder motorcycle rally in tribute to fallen comrades. More than 1.4 million have watched this video of Marine Sgt. Tim Chambers standing for more than 4 hours at attention to salute more than 300,000 Rolling Thunder riders passing through Washington DC on Memorial Day weekend 2010.

He has been doing this for 6 years, and this year took a leave of absence from the Marine Corps to travel with "Carry The Flame" to Washington. "Run For The Wall" riders follow two cross-country routes every year, from California and Texas to join the Rolling Thunder Run through Washington DC, attended by nearly a million motorcycle enthusiasts.



We salute you, Marine Sgt. Tim Chambers! Semper Fi!

View an excellent video of the 2010 Rolling Thunder First Amendment Demonstration Run.

Rolling Thunder began in 1987 as a demonstration to bring awareness to the plight of prisoners of war (POW) and to those missing in action (MIA). Rolling Thunder originated when four Vietnam Veterans, exercising the First Amendment "Right to Petition and Assemble", organized the first group of 2500 motorcycles to ride through the streets of Washington, DC. This first Rolling Thunder run was made in an attempt to petition the government to take responsibility for the soldiers that were abandoned after the Vietnam War ended.

Today over 300, 000 motorcycles ride during the Rolling Thunder Memorial Day weekend observance, held each year in our nation’s capital. Rolling Thunder has evolved to be not only a demonstration for the POW/MIA issue but also a demonstration of patriotism and respect for soldiers and veterans from all wars.

Run For The Wall XXII - May 19 to 30 - "The Missing Man Formation" leads riders across the country to the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Wall in Washington DC to promote healing among ALL veterans, their families and friends; to call for an accounting of all POW/MIA; to honor the memory of those killed in action in all wars; and to support military personnel all over the world. "We ride for those who can't" - http://www.rftw.com/