In the fall of 1987 in a lttle diner in Somerville, New Jersey, two Vietnam

veterans met to discuss thier personal concerns about the prisoners of war

(POW) and missing in action (MIA) from the Vietnam War. Having honorably

served their country, and having taken an oath to "support and defend the

constitution of the United States against all enemies..." and to "bear true faith

and allegiance to same," they were deeply troubled by the adhorrent neglect of

attention given to those who did not make it out with their lives or their freedom.

These two veterans discussed the more than 10,000 reported sightings of live

Americans living in dismal captivity. Intelligence reports of these sightings were

generally ignored by the goverment and mainstream press.

 

These two veterans were Artie Muller and Ray Manzo.

 

 

            The First Rolling Thunder Demonstration 

 

 Artie and Ray were ordinary men who understood that they had a right to have

their voices heard and proceeded to lay down the plans for a gathering in Washington,

D.C. during the 1988 Memorial Day weekend.They reached out to their families, fellow

veterans and veteran's advocates to unify and form a march and demonstration in the

nations Capital. John Holland, Walt Sides and Ted Sampley were responsible for the

permits for the first demonstration. Their arrival would be announced by the roar of

their motorcycles, a sound not unlike the 1965 bombing campaign against North Vietnam

dubbed Operation Rolling Thunder.

Hence, they would call themselves "Rolling Thunder" a title that would endure time and

be trademarked in 1990. Word spread quickly and by Memorial Day weekend in 1988,

approximately 2,500 motorcycles from all over the country converged on Washington, D.C.

to demand from our leaders a full accounting of all POW/MIA's. As they made their stand

that day in front of the Capitol, Artie and ray reflected thankfully for the people who came

in support of the POW/MIA's and for the unity that was felt This was Rolling Thunder's first demonstration. Only until ALL POW/MIA's ARE ACCOUNTED FOR, it will not be their last.

On that day, the foundation was laid for the annual "Ride for Freedom" to

the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Wall (also referred to as the "Ride to the Wall").

 

 

 

    Supporting Local Veterans & Community Involvement

 

In 2007, Rolling Thunder Charities, Inc. was established as a 501(c)(3) tax exempt non-profit

organization which enable individuals and corporations to receive a tax deduction for funds

donated to Rolling Thunder Charities, Inc. Funds are used for veterans, active military and their families in need of help.

No officers of Rolling thunder Charities, Inc. receive compensation: we all donate our time.

 

Rolling Thunder, Inc. spends hundreds of thousands of dollars each year in financial support,

food, clothing and other essentials to veterans, homeless veterans and veterans families in need,

womens crisi centers and toys for children.

 

In 2005, Rolling Thunder, Inc. united with the National Alliance of POW/MIA families to petition

the U.S. goverment to use the designation "Prisoner of War/Missing in Action" (POW/MIA)

a designation recognized by the Geneva Conventions - not "Missing/Captured."

This will insure that prisoners rights and protections remain consistant under the Geneva

Convention.

 

Expenditures exeed over half a million dollars a year, nationwide, to educate the public and

increase awareness about the POW/MIA issue and other injustices suffered by veterans.

The organizations regularly donates POW/MIA flags to local area schools, youth groups,

non-profit organizationsand special interest groups, and organizes flag-raising ceremonies.

Veterans speak to youth groups about the honor of serving their country and educating them

about the POW/MIA issue.

 

Rolling Thunder, Inc. sponors search missions into Southeast Asia for POW/MIA's and the

remains of those killed in action.

 

Thousands of hours are logged in by Rolling Thunder, Inc. members at local VA hospitals

nationwide. Members visit and provide moral support to nursing home veterans and

patients suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

 

Rolling Thunder, Inc. helped facilitate the publishing of a POW/MIA U.S postage

stamp through the U.S. Postal Service that displayed dog tags with the declaration,

                     "POW & MIA - NEVER FORGOTTEN."