Happy Memorial Day, especially to those who have served to protect our nation’s freedoms. Yesterday was the Rolling Thunder 25th Anniversary “Ride for Freedom.” Hundreds of thousands of bikers/veterans gathered at 7am at the Pentagon parking lots and revved up their engines at 12 noon, riding to the Vietnam War/Korean War Memorial area to pay tribute to the fallen or missing in action, and to connect with comrades old and new.
The hogs were loud and the sun was blaring, that that didn’t stop the masses from gathering along Washington Blvd, the Memorial Bridge, and the National Mall to welcome the seemingly endless procession of motorcyclists/veterans.
Speaking to a number of biker-veterans as well as observing from a distance, this was clearly a very emotional day for many, but still a day of joy and celebration as the organization is a close knit brotherhood. I struck a conversation with two biker-veterans (both in their 50’s or 60’s) that were walking together and asked them how long they had known each other, given that one was from North Carolina and the other was from Arizona. They responded that they had just met that day, and that it was common for folks to meet for the first time at a Rolling Thunder gathering and feel a strong bond, just as if they had known each other their whole lives.
This camaraderie truly came across as everyone was friendly as could be—Especially as I asked them if I could photograph their bikes, cuts (the vests they wear), or just them.
Learn more about Rolling Thunder and their commitment to raise awareness around prisoners of war and soldiers missing in action.
