The historic Rolling Thunder motorcycle ride that raises awareness for POW/MIA troops will be hosting its final national ride on Sunday.
In December, the ride organizers made the decision to end the ride after 31 years due to rising costs amounting to more than $200,000 for event clean-up and security, among various other issues, Washington Examiner reported.
The final ride will begin at approximately noon on Sunday following a speech from Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert Wilkie.
“Reasons which determined our decision were the Pentagon Security Police/Washington Police officials continued lack of cooperation, increased harassment to our supporters and sponsors. As demonstrated this past Rolling Thunder ‘Ride For Freedom’ XXXI many of our supporters were diverted and prevented from entering the South Pentagon/Boundary Lots. Event staging costs have soared to $200,000.00 plus, lack of new Corporate Sponsor funding and the general public declined support of our event product sales (patches/pins/stick flags) in the Pentagon Lots. Financial factors are draining the organization funds if we continued this major costly annual event in Washington,” Rolling Thunder’s executive director, Artie Muller, wrote in a letter to organization members.
#RollingThunder begins with the blessing of the bikes at Washington National Cathedral. Many of the riders going to the Vietnam Memorial for a candle light vigil for those who died in service. Why this will be the last year for the national ride in DC. #News4 @nbcwashington pic.twitter.com/XNeGh4wDm5
— Chris Gordon (@ChrisGordonNews) May 24, 2019
The last ride is expected to be their largest, a staggering number since more than 500,000 attended the ride last year. The single-day ride rivals week-long events like Sturgis and Bike Week, with 500,000 to 700,000 participants.
The very first ride in 1988 had 2,000 members.
The Rolling Thunder group was formed with the mission, “To educate the public that many American Prisoners of War were left behind after all previous wars and to help correct the past and to protect future Veterans from being left behind should they become Prisoners of War-Missing In Action. We are also committed to helping American Veterans from all wars.”
Group officials alleged that the problems came about in the past two to three years with officials at the Pentagon, where the ride originates.
They allege that Pentagon police were turning away riders from the rented parking lot, as well as escorting them to various other locations.
“Participants were turned away from entering the South Pentagon Parking Lot and Boundary Channel Parking Lot, causing our supporters to ride in circles and thus causing them to leave in disgust,” Muller explained in the letter.
Pentagon officials have denied the claims and insisted it supports Rolling Thunder’s demonstration, but must maintain safety and security in the area.
THE END OF AN ERA: After 30 years, Rolling Thunder is roaring through DC for one FINAL ride this weekend. ❤️🇺🇸🏍️ https://t.co/A0vTOifK9y pic.twitter.com/MJWL8GidRj
— FOX 5 DC (@fox5dc) May 24, 2019
The group says rides will be held locally or regionally among their 90 chapters in 33 states.
