Rolling Thunder

SrA Marc Haynes — Thu, 30 Oct 2014 21:38:35 -0400

Has anyone been on the Rolling Thunder Ride to D.C.?

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 30 at 2014 10:20 PM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 30 Oct 2014 22:20:23 -0400

Have been there as a spectator but not as a rider (bike was in Montana). I plan on it in the next few years.

Response by Sgt Randy Wilber made Jul 9 at 2018 1:11 PM

Sgt Randy Wilber — Mon, 09 Jul 2018 13:11:14 -0400

Yes been there the last few years.

Response by PO1 Steve Mitchell made Dec 20 at 2018 11:28 AM

PO1 Steve Mitchell — Thu, 20 Dec 2018 11:28:26 -0500

Rode that run almost every year from 1989 until 2015.

Response by SSG Terry Cummings made Dec 23 at 2019 11:33 AM

SSG Terry Cummings — Mon, 23 Dec 2019 11:33:09 -0500

heard it was real comroderie ride! love to do it sometime!

Response by SP5 Tom Manning made May 21 at 2020 10:28 AM

SP5 Tom Manning — Thu, 21 May 2020 10:28:37 -0400

Been there three times
Hundreds of thousands of bikes make the run
Shame it is no longer run by rolling thunder boys but the new group has stepped into the gap but with the virus it’s not going to be run this year

Response by CPT Christopher Stanco made Feb 12 at 2021 8:54 PM

CPT Christopher Stanco — Fri, 12 Feb 2021 20:54:41 -0500

I have done RT every year since 1995 until last year due to covid.

Response by CPT Christopher Stanco made Feb 12 at 2021 8:55 PM

CPT Christopher Stanco — Fri, 12 Feb 2021 20:55:49 -0500

Yes- every yr since 1995 until last yr!

Response by Cpl Ernest Thomas made Apr 19 at 2021 7:38 PM

Cpl Ernest Thomas — Mon, 19 Apr 2021 19:38:15 -0400

Back in 01, 02 and 03 I was VP of Rolling Thunder OH Chapter 4 . Our Chapter was incharge of parking at the Pentagon on the day of the ride through DC. I even had the opportunity to speak in 03. I met many people during the run(s). One of whom was G. Gordon Liddy. I had a great conversation with Mr. Liddy as well as General Colon Powell at the same time. I also met former Commandant General Grey. I was fortunate to meet many famous people which support the cause of Rolling Thunder and everything it stands for. The ride and subsequent visit to the Wall is life changing to some. My first year there, I couldn't bring myself to even approach the wall. I just couldn't face the 58,000 plus names that died for such an ungrateful nation. Men and women who answered the call to service beit voluntary or by draft. Year 2 was differant, I went to the wall at 0300 hrs. I figured I'd be alone. I was wrong! As I sat staring at the black granite, crying for the loss of so many, I was approached by an older Vietnam Vet. He sat beside me and spoke softly. Introducing himself he said His name was Bob Labbe. He told me that my sadness was because of my love of country, my need to serve and my heart being that of a warrior yet still a child of God. Bob was also a Marine and strangely enough, he too was from my hometown of Salem Ohio. We chatted for what seemed like hours but in reality was only a few brief moments. I wondered why I never met him, why my father, also a Marine and others never spoke of him. As we said our goodbyes we both turned our separate ways. I turned back to thank Bob and he was gone, like a thought! As I went up to the Wall I stopped at panel 5E and there on Penelope 5E, line 106 was the name, Robert B Labbe whom I just spoke with. A Marine who was once again there to help another Marine. I can not explain how or why this took place I can only say, had it not happened, I'd have just sat there staring at the black granite with all those names and never understood why I couldn't approach. If you've never been, you'll never understand and if you have been you know the effect the Wall can have and the healing power that is in it. Of all the memorials in DC, the Wall is by far the most powerful right with the Lincoln Memorial. The Korean Memorial is also powerful because they look alive but frozen in time. Someone once told me that magic is really just reality-based thoughts. Cherish our time, protect our future but always reflect on those which came before us. We Veterans are America's second line of defense behind our Men and Women serving now!