Rolling Thunder Motorcycle Rally

[DonaldN]

Check this URL out!! Very important rally call


http://www.rtmrwdc.org/upevents.html

[DonaldN]

Thought I better include this to the above. For more detailed information click on the URL.
http://www.rtmrwdc.org/upevents.html

"CALL FOR SUPPORT
March 17, 2007 Anti-War Demonstration and March to the Pentagon to Assemble at the VIETNAM VETERANS MEMORIAL

ATTENTION ALL MEMBERS, SUPPORTERS, AFFILIATES, FRIENDS OF
ROLLING THUNDER®; ALL MILITARY, VETERANS AND PATRIOTS.

CRITICALLY IMPERATIVE:
MEET AT THE WALL 0800 HOURS / 17 MARCH 2007"

Thanks Speedgrunt

Semper Fi,
DonaldN

[Vietvet1]

Don,

I have to wonder what happened to "Rolling Thunder". I see now they are calling it a "RALLY". I think the original intent was sort of "informational picketing" for awareness of the POW-MIA Issue. I had spoke a few years back to Ted Sampley ( one of the biggest vendors in Thunder Alley) about possibly taking the name RALLY off the ads and t shirts. Response was barely a shrug. I had been going to RT for many years and now it seems to be just another motorcycle event like Laconia, Daytona or even Gettysburg. I would think the main event would be to go to the Reflecting Pool to listen to the many speakers they have as opposed to checking out the Bike Show in the streets. The steps (Lincoln Memorial/Reflecting Pool) should be full to capacity to listen. I have to wonder if 3/4 of the riders even know or care what the original intent and purpose was to do all of this as opposed to just another Bike Event/Rally.

The POW-MIA ( not NOT DUSTWUN {what a joke}) issue is one that has been near and dear to me since FEB 1970. No, I am not former POW-MIA but upon coming home on special leave after my first year incountry ( I ended up staying 2 1/2 years ) I came through O'Hara and was approached by one of the few round eyed women I had seen in my 365. She worked for an organization called VIVA and had POW-MIA bracelets for a $3 donation. I bought two with a smile. I wore that bracelet back to Nam several times and told the guys about them and that someone cared back home. Since that day, I have had the issue in my mind EVERY DAY and through ceremonies and maintaining dailey contacts with local family members as friends I keep it in my forefront. It isn't a new issue... Clara Barton even set up an office in NYC to eventually repatriate former prisoners (alive and dead) of both sides, in our Civil War. In fact we have the 10th Pennsylvania Volunteers to be Honor Guard at a ceremony we call "Remembrance and Reflections" in May. I guess I drag on but my point is, I think RT is steering the wrong direction and should be guided back on path and be what it originally was. I even wonder why that many people couldn't show up in the MIDDLE of the week when our beloved Congress is in session. No need for a staging area just a time and place to converge. Talk about gridlock and national exposure to the issue *S*. But then.... I am not Emperor so it can only be a fleeting thought....... maybe. Sometimes good intentions veer off course and have to be reset.

I do believe you and I met once or twice in Meadville a "few" years back. At the time I was a member of the VVnW... along with a pocket full of other Veterans orgs. I have even set across the table from Mike Milne at the National Vietnam and Gulf War Veterans Coalition meetings in June of each year. I was there when a group of them attended in some type of t-shirts and tried to take over the coalition. It was interesting when they eventually started yelling, stood up, yelled some more and walked out. I almost thought I was back in 3rd grade lunch period. But so goes it all. I attend this meeting as well as make the National Alliance of Families and National League meetings. Joyce Rommel is never far away and for once we know we are there for the real REASON. Same faces show up and Joyce is no exception. It is, for a smaller reason, an annual reunion of sorts. She brings a lot to the table.

Peace

PS. A group of us made the trip to be there for The Gathering Of Eagles. We outfoxed the protesters for sure and they left with a whimper. What I see now with GOE.... they are trying to "event" this and I think it now takes so much away from the original intent as well. We were all asked to show up and we did and now some are palying on it to be a regular organized function/entity. I think it meant more to call to arms and see who shows up if and when needed as oppose to making it a money maker of sorts. Spontaneous is good once in a while and it is remembered easier. Ask our better halves (wink).

[DonaldN]

Originally Posted by Vietvet1

Don,


I do believe you and I met once or twice in Meadville a "few" years back. At the time I was a member of the VVnW... along with a pocket full of other Veterans orgs. I have even set across the table from Mike Milne at the National Vietnam and Gulf War Veterans Coalition meetings in June of each year. I was there when a group of them attended in some type of t-shirts and tried to take over the coalition. It was interesting when they eventually started yelling, stood up, yelled some more and walked out. I almost thought I was back in 3rd grade lunch period. But so goes it all. I attend this meeting as well as make the National Alliance of Families and National League meetings. Joyce Rommel is never far away and for once we know we are there for the real REASON. Same faces show up and Joyce is no exception. It is, for a smaller reason, an annual reunion of sorts. She brings a lot to the table.

Peace

PS. A group of us made the trip to be there for The Gathering Of Eagles. We outfoxed the protesters for sure and they left with a whimper. What I see now with GOE.... they are trying to "event" this and I think it now takes so much away from the original intent as well. We were all asked to show up and we did and now some are palying on it to be a regular organized function/entity. I think it meant more to call to arms and see who shows up if and when needed as oppose to making it a money maker of sorts. Spontaneous is good once in a while and it is remembered easier. Ask our better halves (wink).

We did meet in Meadeville, PA. I was then the VVnW's Pennsylvania State Commander and visited Meadeville fairly often. Of Course that was back when the VVnW was an honorable veterans organization before the "big four", milne,forbesy,& verespy and their "obedient puppy" breighner f_ _ ked it up. The Meadeville Post Commander was Terry McGee back then. He's a contributer to the Veterans resources now, too. See the thread below this one on VR for today posting by Terry. We became very good friends over the years and still stay in touch.

DonaldN
Semper Fi