How it all started:
The Vietnam War proved to be a difficult time in America's history. Similar to today's political climate, our nation was divided, primarily over issues of peace and war. As the Vietnam war came to a close, more than 58,000 American soldiers were killed, and thousands more were still being held as Prisoners of War, or deemed Missing In Action. Our government failed its mission of accountability, by not bringing home the remains of the fallen or missing for an honorable and respectful burial.
However, in 1988, several veterans of the Vietnam War rallied together their families, fellow veterans, and veterans' advocates, to organize a demonstration at the Capitol Building in Washington, DC over the Memorial Day weekend. They announced their arrival with the roar of their Harley-Davidson's, a sound similar to the the 1965 massive B-52 bombing campaign against North Vietnam named 'Operation Rolling Thunder'. Approximately 2,500 motorcycles participated in that rally, demanding that the U.S. government account for all POW & MIA's.
The group then became known as Rolling Thunder, and each year up until 2019, has held an annual "Ride for Freedom" to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall. It was estimated that nearly 1.2 million motorcycles participated in the final Washington, D.C. Ride For Freedom XXXII in 2019.
Rolling Thunder® today:
Rolling Thunder was incorporated as a class 501 (c)(4) non-profit organization and today has nearly 90 chapters throughout the United States, Canada, Australia and Europe. The group is actively involved year-round in promoting legislation to increase veteran benefits and resolve the POW*MIA issue from all wars. They also provide financial support, food, clothing and other essentials to veterans, veterans' families, veterans groups, and women's' crisis centers.
Our Meetings:
Our monthly meetings are every 3rd Saturday of the month. They are usually breakfast meetings that start at 9am, breakfast, and 10am Meetings. We meet at American Legion Post 16, 4701 NW 6th St, Gainesville, FL 32609, and also other locations. An update will be posted on our Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/p/Rolling-Thunder-Inc-Chapter-3-Fl-100064858261346/
The Vietnam War proved to be a difficult time in America's history. Similar to today's political climate, our nation was divided, primarily over issues of peace and war. As the Vietnam war came to a close, more than 58,000 American soldiers were killed, and thousands more were still being held as Prisoners of War, or deemed Missing In Action. Our government failed its mission of accountability, by not bringing home the remains of the fallen or missing for an honorable and respectful burial.
However, in 1988, several veterans of the Vietnam War rallied together their families, fellow veterans, and veterans' advocates, to organize a demonstration at the Capitol Building in Washington, DC over the Memorial Day weekend. They announced their arrival with the roar of their Harley-Davidson's, a sound similar to the the 1965 massive B-52 bombing campaign against North Vietnam named 'Operation Rolling Thunder'. Approximately 2,500 motorcycles participated in that rally, demanding that the U.S. government account for all POW & MIA's.
The group then became known as Rolling Thunder, and each year up until 2019, has held an annual "Ride for Freedom" to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall. It was estimated that nearly 1.2 million motorcycles participated in the final Washington, D.C. Ride For Freedom XXXII in 2019.
Rolling Thunder® today:
Rolling Thunder was incorporated as a class 501 (c)(4) non-profit organization and today has nearly 90 chapters throughout the United States, Canada, Australia and Europe. The group is actively involved year-round in promoting legislation to increase veteran benefits and resolve the POW*MIA issue from all wars. They also provide financial support, food, clothing and other essentials to veterans, veterans' families, veterans groups, and women's' crisis centers.
Our Meetings:
Our monthly meetings are every 3rd Saturday of the month. They are usually breakfast meetings that start at 9am, breakfast, and 10am Meetings. We meet at American Legion Post 16, 4701 NW 6th St, Gainesville, FL 32609, and also other locations. An update will be posted on our Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/p/Rolling-Thunder-Inc-Chapter-3-Fl-100064858261346/
If anyone would like to open a Chapter in or around the Panhandle or big bend, please let us know. We want to make sure that our services are available to all veterans in Florida. There are quite a few military bases in these areas, and we're sure they would like to be involved.
Drop us a line and let us know if you are interested. We will make sure you are given the correct information and will help you establish a Chapter.
Drop us a line and let us know if you are interested. We will make sure you are given the correct information and will help you establish a Chapter.