Rolling Thunder®, Inc.'s 29th Annual Memorial Day Demonstration Still Asking Accountability for those Prisoners of War/M

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Rolling Thunder®, Inc.'s 29th Annual Memorial Day Demonstration Still Asking Accountability for those Prisoners of War/Missing in Action


Gold Star Mother's passing Flame of Freedom at last year's Candlelight Vigil at The Vietnam Wall
NESHANIC STATION, N.J., May 17, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- This year is the organization's 29th anniversary demonstration in support of POW/MIA and Veterans' Issues. Speakers for this year include John LeBoutillier, former Congressman New York's 6th district; Nicolette Rose, National Alliance of Families; Robert Patrick, actor currently starring in the TV drama series "Scorpion"; Christian Walters, U.S. Army Officer and Managing Director for Harley-Davidson and other supporters of Rolling Thunder®, Inc. and the POW/MIA issue. A lineup of celebrity entertainers is slated to provide a fitting musical tribute, including Rockie Lynne, Gordon Painter, Ben Mason and the Loch Rannoch Pipes & Drums Band. Secretary of Defense, Ashton Carter and his wife Stephanie will start the demonstration again this year.
Weekend Highlights include:
• Friday, May 27
o National Washington Cathedral "Blessing of the Bikes" – Massachusetts & Wisconsin Avenues, Washington, D.C. - 5 p.m.
o Candlelight vigil at the Vietnam Wall led by the Flame of Freedom which will lead the Gold Star mothers to honor and remember those who gave their lives in service to their country, and those who are still missing or held prisoner - 9 p.m.
• Saturday, May 28
o Harley-Davidson of Washington - 9407 Livingston Road, Fort Washington, MD - free barbeque 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
o U.S. Navy Memorial wreath presentation - 701 Pennsylvania Avenue, Northwest Washington, DC (On the Plaza) - 11 a.m.
o Rolling Thunder Hospitality Room - Hyatt Regency, Crystal City - 7:30 p.m.
• Sunday, May 29
o Rolling Thunder®, Inc. Demonstration - leaves Pentagon North Parking Lot at noon
o Program of speakers and Musical Tribute to Veterans at the stage in front of the Reflecting Pool facing the Lincoln Memorial from 1:30 - 5 p.m.
The Rolling Thunder®, Inc. Flame of Freedom will also be transported via motorcycle escort from Oklahoma to Washington, DC, arriving May 27. The Flame will be used at the Candlelight Vigil to lead Gold Star mothers as they walk along the Vietnam Wall during the May 27 candlelight remembrance. For more information: rtflameoffreedom.com
Rolling Thunder®, Inc. continues to seek answers on the POW/MIA issue, encourage members of Congress to get several pieces of legislation passed into law (visit the "Government Affairs" page of our website); our military was promised healthcare when they retired and are now being told they have to pay for it. Prescription drug costs continue to rise with many Veteran's now going without the medication they need. As of April 15, 2016 there are still over 457,695 VA claims pending with 183,190 claims over 125 days. The backlog of VA claims is a major contributing factor to the increased homelessness and nearly 22 suicides a day of our Veterans.
Rolling Thunder Charities®, Inc. is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization with 96% of all funds going to Veterans and our Troops in need of help. We will pay their rent, mortgage, utilities, food and clothing.
Veterans from the Gulf War, Iraq War and Afghanistan War suffer and are dying from toxins from burn pit exposure. Nothing is being done to compensate them for their illnesses.
From the 1950s through the 1980s, people living or working at the U.S. Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, were potentially exposed to drinking water contaminated with industrial solvents, benzene, and other chemicals. To date, not enough has been done to help or compensate these Veterans suffering from various illnesses due to the contaminated water.