Incorporated in 1995, Rolling Thunder®, Inc. is a class 501(c) (4) non-profit organization with over 90 chartered chapters throughout the United States and members abroad.
While many members of Rolling Thunder®, Inc. are veterans and many ride motorcycles, neither qualification is a prerequisite. All are united in the cause to bring full accountability for the Prisoners Of War-Missing In Action (POW/MIA) of all wars, reminding the government, the media and the public by our watchwords:
“We Will Not Forget.”
In 2007, Rolling Thunder® Charities, Inc. was established as a 501(c)(3) tax exempt, non-profit organization which enables individuals and corporations to receive a tax deduction for funds donated to Rolling Thunder® Charities, Inc. These funds are used for veterans, active duty military and their families in need of help.
RIDE FOR FREEDOM
Memorial Day Eve
The 36th Anniversary Ride and Demonstration in support of POW/MIA and Veterans’ Issues will again take place NATIONWIDE on Sunday May 26th, 2024. Ahead, the priority remains the same: We seek accountability - the return of living POW’s and when that is not possible – the repatriation of their remains. We further advocate the same for all MIA.
Membership
While many members of Rolling Thunder®, Inc. are veterans and many ride motorcycles, neither qualification is a prerequisite. Rolling Thunder®, Inc. members are old and young, men and women, veterans and non-veterans. All are united in the cause to bring full accountability for the Prisoners Of War-Missing In Action (POW/MIA) of all wars, reminding the government, the media and the public by our watchwords: “We Will Not Forget.”
All Members of this organization must be willing to help fight the Prisoner-Of-War and Missing-In-Action issues, help protect future veterans from becoming POW-MIA's and to help veterans in need from all wars.
Membership applications can be picked up in person at any national or state chapter monthly meetings. We do not mail out membership applications.
The Beginning
1987
1988
​In the fall of 1987, Artie Muller and Ray Manzo, two Vietnam veterans met to discuss their personal concerns about the POW/MIA's 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 the same," they were deeply troubled by the abhorrent neglect of attention given to those who did not make it out with their lives or their freedom.
The Founders of Rolling Thunder®, Inc., Artie Muller and Ray Manzo, 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 nation’s Capital. 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®, Inc." a title that would endure time and be trademarked in 1990.
About
U.S. MILITARY OPS
HARLEY-DAVIDSON ROLE
As far as iconic U.S. military vehicles go, one of the unsung motorized heroes of the American military is the motorcycle. Though it may have faded in and out of fashion with the armed forces, the military has been utilizing the motorcycle’s simple and nimble functionality since the Mexican Revolution. From leading the charge with mounted machine guns and V-twins to special ops running silent with all-electric bikes, motorcycles have seen their fair share of combat.
