2010 Rallies & Events
Rolling Thunder XXIII Part 1
Story by Sedrick C. Mitchell
Photos by Rupert Ellis, Joe Springfield, & Sedrick C. Mitchell
The 23rd annual Rolling Thunder event brought approximately one million veterans, family members of veterans, politicians, active duty and retired US military personnel, entertainers, and other supporters from all across America and around the world to our nation’s capital over the Memorial Day weekend. The event also attracted almost a half of million motorcycles of all brands, makes, and models. Many rode their machines all the way from the western part of America, while locals traveled just a few blocks or miles. The Rolling Thunder activities officially kicked off on Friday morning at the Historic Congressional Cemetery followed by a Candle Light Vigil Friday night at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. The entire Memorial Day weekend was filled with veteran activities throughout our nation’s capital and surrounding areas. Local Harley-Davidson dealerships provided live entertainment, food and drinks, and vendors with many of them selling Rolling Thunder T-shirts, patches, and other items.
The Thunder Alley event kicked off Friday morning around 09:00 a.m., and concluded late Sunday afternoon; it required the closing of 22nd street NW. Thunder Alley is one of the main attractions of the event, and is a premier hangout early Sunday morning, before the start of the big Demonstration Ride, which is the main attraction of the entire weekend.
The list of speakers at various Rolling Thunder locations and events during the weekend included Chris Noel, Todd Bowers, Todd McKinley, Javier Sanchez, Staff Sergeant Dale Beatty, Lynn O’Shea, Nikki Mendicino, Congressman Randy Forbes, Deputy Commander Johnie Webb, and Trevor Drown. The keynote speaker following the Demonstration Ride on Sunday was our nation’s 15th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs (Nation’s highest-ranking military officer), General Richard B. Myers. General Myers is also a motorcycle enthusiast, and was part of the lead group during the actual Demonstration Ride.
Anticipation and preparation for the approximately 5-mile-long Demonstration Ride started early Sunday morning (O-dark-thirty, as an old veteran would say). Local authorities begin escorting thousands of motorcycles from various locations throughout the region to the North Pentagon Parking Lot, which is the staging area for the start of the ride. While thousands of motorcyclists are staging at the start point, thousand of veterans and supporters are perching themselves along the entire stretch of the route. As the Demonstration Ride kicked off and the motorcade roared across the Memorial Bridge, supporters begin waving American flags, and cheering. As the thousands of motorcycles rumbled down the designated route supporters waved hundreds of supportive signs. Some of the most heart-touching signs were held by a lady and a couple of young veteran supporters that read, “This Mom Thanks You,” and “Thanks 4 Serving,” and “We appreciate you.” As the motorcyclists rode pass these supporters, they waved to show their appreciation for this type of support. Also, many of the Demonstration Ride participants returned the salute of the Marine Sergeant Tim Chambers, who stood for more than three hours as the riders passed. (To be continued Thursday)