Vet News: Rolling Thunder's 21st Anniversary Memorial Day Demonstration To Include Families of Iraq War POWs/MIAs

Rolling Thunder Inc. will hold its 21st annual Memorial Day weekend demonstration May 23-25, 2008, in Washington, D.C., in support of POW/MIA and Veterans’ issues.

This year’s event will be especially meaningful in light of the recovery of the remains of Iraq war POW SSgt. Keith "Matt" Maupin in late March. Working on issues for current and future Veterans and for POWs and MIAs from all wars is the core mission of Rolling Thunder chapters nationwide. The event, which drew more than 850,000 participants and spectators in 2007, according to Rolling Thunder National estimates, is expected to draw even larger numbers this year.

Rolling Thunder will host and honor the families of SSgt. Matt Maupin, as well as Pvt. Byron W. Fouty and Sgt. Alex R. Jimenez both captured May 12, 2007. In addition, former Congressman Bill Hendon (R-NC), co-author of An Enormous Crime, an account of abandoned American POWs/MIAs in Southeast Asia, is scheduled to be the keynote speaker for Sunday’s program at the Lincoln Memorial. Highlights of the formal program are listed below.

Friday, May 23

• Wreath laying ceremony at the Historic Congressional Cemetery, 1801 E St., SE, 10 a.m.
• Candlelight Vigil beginning at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, 900 Ohio Dr., SW, and continuing to the other monuments, 8 p.m.

Saturday, May 24

• BBQ at Harley-Davidson of Washington, D.C., 9407 Livingston Rd., Fort Washington, MD, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
• U.S. Navy Memorial commemorative wreath-laying ceremony, 701 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, 11 a.m.
• "Saluting Our Troops" program at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, 900 Ohio Dr., SW, beginning at 11 a.m. with keynote speaker Brigadier General Wilma L. Vaught, USAF (Ret.), President, Women In Military Service For America Memorial Foundation.
• Afternoon visit to patients in the Washington, D.C., Veterans Administration Hospital, 50 Irving St., NW.
• Hospitality Night at the Hyatt Crystal City, 2799 Jefferson Davis Hwy., 8 p.m. Hosting and honoring families of POWs/MIAs, Gold Star/Blue Star families, and wounded Veterans from Walter Reed Hospital.

Sunday, May 25 - Gathering in Pentagon parking lots (Army Navy Dr. & Fern St.), followed by the traditional demonstration motorcade/ride through the city of Washington, ending at the Lincoln Memorial, where speakers and musical tributes by Gordon Painter, Paulette Carlson, and The Vettz round out the event.

Additional Information
Final program details will be distributed in a press release; background and other information will be available on Rolling Thunder’s web site approximately May 5. In addition, there will be a staffed Media room at Rolling Thunder’s headquarters hotel, the Hyatt Crystal City (VA). Members of Rolling Thunder’s National Media Committee will be available at event locations throughout the weekend to assist working press with interviews, photographs, and any other needs. For more information or to schedule interviews in advance with members of Rolling Thunder or with speakers (as available), please contact Nancy Regg, National Media Committee Chairperson, at 908-310-3268 (cell) or [email protected].

About Rolling Thunder
Incorporated in 1995, Rolling Thunder®, Inc. is a class 501 C-4 non-profit organization with over 85 chartered chapters throughout the United States. Membership is composed of men and women, with 40-45% being non-Veterans and the balance being Veterans from all wars and peacetime. Although many of its members ride motorcycles, a person does not have to own or ride a motorcycle to be a member, just the time and willingness to be an advocate for our troops, Veterans, and POW/MIAs. For more information about Rolling Thunder, visit the organization’s web site at rollingthunder1.com

SOURCE: Yahoo News, Rolling Thunder Inc.