 Motorcyclists take part in the Rolling Thunder demonstration as they ride from the Pentagon to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in May, 2010 in Washington. The event, scheduled again this coming weekend, is to draw attention to the issue of prisoners of war and those who are missing in action. (AFP/Getty Images) Sunday in Washington, D.C. means Rolling Thunder, and 100,000 motorcycling veteransONLY ON THE BLOG: Answering today’s OFF-SET questions is Gary Scheffmeyer, President of Rolling Thunder, Inc., the non-profit organization with more than 90 chapters throughout the U.S. and abroad that brings together veterans and motorcycle riders.  Rolling Thunder conducts charity events for veterans and active military and families in need of help; works on behalf of Prisoner of War and Missing in Action issues, sponsors search missions into Southeast Asia for POW/MIAs and the remains of those killed in action; and stages huge motorcycle events involving thousands of riders. Rolling Thunder XXIV is scheduled to take place May 29th in Washington, D.C. First of all, what will happen on Sunday? Depending on the weather, there will probably be between 750,000 – 800, 000 people participating. We’ll begin at the Pentagon and ride to Washington, D.C. We cross thePotomac, go around the Lincoln Memorial, then down on to Constitution Avenue. Then we cut over to Independence Avenue, then to Ohio Driveto a ball field. In the morning, when everyone assembles, we fill a 22-acre parking lot and an over flow lot and then into the street–so it’s 100,000 motorcycles easy. Sarah Palin is scheduled to appear at a Rolling Thunder event on the National Mall. Do you know if she’ll speak there? She’s not scheduled to speak as of yet. But she and her husband will come to the Pentagon a motorcycle, and they will participate in the demonstration. By your calculation, how many Prisoners of War and Missing in Action Americans are still unaccounted for? From which war? Vietnam—there’s like 1700. World War II, there are over 77,000. A lot of the people from World War II were lost at sea, their planes were shot down. We may never find them. Korea—there are around 8,000. Is there something more that this administration could be doing to help locate POWs and MIAs? Yes, going over there and working with North Vietnamese and trying to find live Americans–that’s one of the things we push for. There’s always teams inVietnam searching for remains. They’re called JPAC – the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command. They bring home remains all the time. They need to be looking for live Americans. There were still live sightings of Americans in the early 2000s. (Editor’s note: According to the JPAC website, “The highest priority of the organization is the return of any living Americans that remain prisoners of war. To date, the U.S. government has not found any evidence that there are still American POWs in captivity from past U.S.conflicts.”) How important is it that Americans keep flying the POW/MIA flag? It’s very important because it keeps the issue alive. It let’s everybody know that American are still missing all over the world. So what is the connection between veterans and motorcycles? There’s the mystique that circles around the whole thing. Motorcycles draw people to the issues that veterans are demonstrating for. Loud draws attention. And what do you ride now? I ride a 1997 Honda Valkyrie. It’s got a 1500 cc engine. It’s big! |
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Maybe this year, Rolling Thunder will be more than just another overcrowded motorcycle show. Our POWs and MIAs need more than just a lot of guys and gals gawking over some chrome and leather. I used to go to RT events and it just seemed that everyone was there just to get another patch for their vest.
Some of us turned around and headed back home after all this garbage with RT & Palin. This is suppose to be for the veterans, NOT for a political person. This just shoots the RT credibility out the window for lots of us vets.
Gary Scheffmeyer had his head so far up GW rear end he couldn't see daylight. He's a Republican shill, so supporting Palin isn't a big surprise to us that know him.
I won't ever look at a veterans group the same way again. I use to have my wallet open when any vet group asked for donations. I'll have to rethink my contributions because I am 100% oppose to Sarah Palin. Any organization that promotes her will not get a dime from me.
Figures Gary Scheffmeyer would ride a Honda and not an American made bike. He's a prize that Gary, a GOP boot licker and KKKRove wanna be.
Go Sarah! Anything to raise the awareness of our Veterans.
To those that say you no longer support our heros because Palin will be at Rolling Thunder, FYI, no one believes you supported Veterans in the first place. To someone that truly believes there is no creature more noble than an American Soldier the appearance of one woman - any woman - or man for that matter, does not diminish our support. Your lies are transparent, and before you spout them again you might think about that. No one's fooled, and you sound foolish.
Happy Memorial Day and Thank You to All That Serve.
well I'm right here in D.C. waiting for this awesome event to begin. Kudos to Rolling Thunder!
What did this event have to do with Veteran issues? All I saw in the article were motorcycle gangs ( always a very negative image in this country associated with violence and drugs) and a cheesy political stunt by Palin. Not exactly the kind of thing that would inspire patriotism.
motorcycle gangs? disrespectful racist get out of the 50,s
This was a huge rally, I'd say 700,000 plus bikes. I agree there should be no politics. If a politician wants to ride
anonymously that's ok. But to make it a PR stunt, no way. RT is for vets and POA's, there's no politics involved. Just caring for lost brothers, and sisters, and their families, and a chance to bond again with good friends.
Leave it to shameless Sarah Palin to attend a nonpolitical event with Americans of all political parties present and try to present herself as a person that this group invited to hear her speak her dribble. She was not invited,she decided that this was a ready made event that she could use to promote her own money making interests. Sarah worshipers- have you no shame????
I was at Rolling Thunder Sunday. I read the article and was taken back when I heard Sarah Palin climbed off a motorcycle and wanted to speak.
I have one question for her;
Do you know what Rolling Thunder is about?
Let me break it down : MIA "Missing In Action"
POW "Prisoner Of War"
Please check JPAC out,
there was one Officer that was classified as MIA during Desert Storm. I know I was in Desert Shield/Desert Storm.
When the US went back in to remove Saddam Husein from power...someone in the executive branch changed it to MIC "Missing In Country" which means the spouse and children do not get anything (Benefits)
Iraq War 1 MIA
Afghanistan 1 MIA
Do not take my word for it... use the Freedom of Information Act, Disable American Veterans (DAV), Veterans Of Foreign Wars (VFW), American Legion they have lobbyist that pour over every legislation dealing with the rights of Veterans and their families.
Thank you
Sincerely,
Cav Soldier 57
This program is dciieveng; it's not housing, but PRISON-LIKE & MANDATORY 12-Step religious cult insane asylums with 24/7 staff, armed guards, and snitches watching the homeless veteran's every move ..PRISON!