Celebrate Memorial Day Weekend at Rolling Thunder
Memorial Day is typically spent with family and friends,
remembering and honoring those who served in the military. What better way to
celebrate this day than at one of the largest biker events in the country? Rolling
Thunder, a bike run in Washington D.C., is held each year during Memorial Day
Weekend.
What is Rolling
Thunder?
According to its website, “Rolling Thunder Run’s mission is to educate, facilitate, and
never forget by means of a demonstration for service members that were
abandoned after the Vietnam War. Rolling Thunder has also evolved into a
display of patriotism and respect for all who defend our country.”
Bothered by the events following the Vietnam War, Vietnam
veteran Ray Manzo came to D.C. in 1987 with his idea to organize a motorcycle
demonstration to bring attention to the POW/MIA situation. He enlisted the help
of fellow veterans Holland, Slides, and Sampley. Together, they chose Memorial
Day Weekend for the event. They envisioned the arrival of the motorcycles
coming across the Memorial Bridge and thought it would sound like “Rolling
Thunder”. The first Run in 1988 had nearly 2,500 motorcycles and riders
demanding that the U.S. government account for all POW/MIA’s. The rally
continues to grow every year, and now with over one million riders and
spectators, it has evolved into an emotional display of patriotism and respect
for all who defend our country.
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| Photo Credit: RollingThunderRun.com |
Schedule of Events
Friday, May 27
9:00 p.m. Candlelight Vigil – Vietnam Veterans Memorial
Saturday, May 28
9:00 a.m. Thunder Alley Opens – The Official vendor site for
the event is on 22nd street and NW Constitution Ave. You can
purchase Official Rolling Thunder patches, pins, T-shirts, food and other biker
related in Thunder Valley.
Sunday, May 29
6:00 a.m. Reveille – Vietnam Veterans Memorial – Wake-up
call for riders taking part in the Rolling Thunder XXVIII First Amendment
Demonstration Run. Bikers rally in the North and South Pentagon parking lots at
7:00 a.m. for a noon departure.
9:00 a.m. Thunder Alley Opens
Noon - Rolling Thunder XXVIII First Amendment Demonstration
Run – Bikes leave the North Pentagon parking lot to begin their run through the
Mall area. After the run, police will direct riders to West Potomac Park, where
they will pay tribute to their fallen brothers and sisters.
8:00 p.m. Memorial Day Concert – Capital
9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Thunder Alley Opens
11:00 a.m. Wreath Laying Ceremony – Tomb of the Unknown
Soldier, Arlington National Cemetery
2:00 p.m. Annual Memorial Day Observance at Vietnam Veterans
Memorial – Honoring the fallen service men and women of the Vietnam War.
2:00 p.m. National Memorial Day Parade – Marching bands and
veterans’ units from all 50 states.
Begins at the corner of Constitution Ave.
and NW 7th St.
3:00 p.m. National Moment of Remembrance
Honor Those Who Defend
Our Country
Memorial Day Weekend is about more than having fun. Be sure
to remember the real reason we celebrate this holiday: to honor those who’ve
died serving our country. Lake Bikefest wishes you a happy and safe Memorial
Day Weekend! Don’t forget to mark your calendar September 15 – 18. Motorcycle enthusiasts from all over the U.S.
come to the Lake of the Ozarks to celebrate the 10th Annual Lake ofthe Ozarks Bikefest. We hope to see you there!
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