Rolling Thunder®, Inc.
“Ride for Freedom” History

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The Rolling Thunder, Inc. Nationwide Ride
For Freedom is a demonstration intended
to honor veterans and troops killed in
action, to bring awareness to the public of
the more than 81,000 POW/MIA still
unaccounted for and to influence the
United States government to find service
members who are still missing. 

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We seek accountability and the return of
living POW’s and when that is not possible,
the repatriation of their remains.  
The first demonstration ride began in Washington, DC in 1988 when their arrival would be announced by the roar of the 2,500 motorcycles,  a sound not unlike the 1965 bombing campaign against North Vietnam dubbed “Operation Rolling Thunder”.  Hence the name “Rolling Thunder” a title that has endured time.   The demonstration ride continued and in 2019 there were 1.5 million motorcycles.

 

 In 2020, a strategic decision was made to move the Annual Memorial Day Demonstration Event NATIONWIDE.  Having the demonstration nationwide will promote awareness, enhance our ability to have more media coverage and build stronger relations at the community level.