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Rolling Thunder’s Last Ride in D.C. (photos)

By Jeff Malet • May 27, 2019 0 5063

Members of Rolling Thunder New Hampshire Chapter One salute the flag. Front row: Bill Elkins, Joe Downing and John Dominicus. Back row: chapter president John Dion and Richard Caruso. Photo by Jeff Malet.

Rolling Thunder motorcyclists made their 32nd and final scheduled ride though the nation’s capital on Sunday, May 26. The Rolling Thunder First Amendment Demonstration Run has traditionally taken place on Memorial Day weekend, along with related events, such as a candlelight vigil at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

The veterans’ advocacy group was formed in 1987 by Vietnam veteran Artie Muller, now 73. The name is derived from Operation Rolling Thunder, a 1965 bombing campaign against North Vietnam. Some estimates placed the number of riders and spectators this year at more than one million.

Late last year, the group announced that this May would be its final D.C. ride, citing rising costs and general lack of cooperation by law enforcement in the area. “We are not going away,” declared Muller. In future years, the group’s efforts will morph into a series of regional events.

View Jeff Malet’s photos from Rolling Thunder XXXII by clicking on the photo icons below.

: Mary Jane Gerity holds a torch for her late brother PFC Charles Sumner Walsh, USMC, who was killed in Vietnam on March 15,1968. He was 19 years old. Rolling Thunder riders held a candlelight vigil at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial to honor and remember the fallen on Friday, May 24. (photo by Jeff Malet)

: Vetrans Sam Wolffy (left), “Big Hands” and “Panzer” were among the Rolling Thunder riders that assembled for a candlelight vigil at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial to honor and remember the fallen, in Washington, D.C., on Friday, May 24. (photo by Jeff Malet)

: Members of Rolling Thunder, Akron, Ohio, Chapter 2, pose for a group portrait prior to a candlelight vigil at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial to honor and remember the fallen, on Friday, May 24. (photo by Jeff Malet)

: Vietnamese veterans, Nam Nguyen and Pho Hoa (with Hele and Nancy Boyer) joined with Rolling Thunder riders assembled for a candlelight vigil at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. (photo by Jeff Malet)

: Kathy Stringer Robinson (of Richmond, Kentucky) points to her father’s name John C Stringer II, on the wall. He is listed among the missing with honor, because his body was never found to be returned to the country he served. (photo by Jeff Malet)

: Rolling Thunder riders held a candlelight vigil at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial to honor and remember the fallen, in Washington, D.C., on Friday, May 24. (photo by Jeff Malet)

: The Memorial Wall is made up of two 246-foot-9-inch long black granite walls, polished to a high finish and etched with the names of the servicemen being honored in 140 panels of horizontal rows with regular typeface and spacing. (photo by Jeff Malet)

: Rear Admiral Frank Thorp IV, USN (Ret.), president and CEO of the U.S. Navy Memorial delivers opening remarks as members of Rolling Thunder gathered on U.S. Navy Memorial Plaza on Saturday, May 25. (photo by Jeff Malet)

: Rear Admiral Frank Thorp IV, USN (Ret.), president and CEO of the U.S. Navy Memorial, and Marine Corps Veteran Mike Maloney of Rolling Thunder participate in a wreathlaying ceremony on U.S. Navy Memorial Plaza on Saturday, May 25. (photo by Jeff Malet)

: Gathering at the Pentagon Parking Lot. (photo by Jeff Malet)

: Kilt clad members of Rolling Thunder parade at the Pentagon North Parking lot before the run. (photo by Jeff Malet)

: Bikers identify themselves by their rider names. In photo “Backpack” and “Wrench” from Cincinnati, Ohio. They also serve as chaplains to the faithful. (photo by Jeff Malet)

: Mike “Jumper” Vesely, from Columbus, Georgia, waits in the Pentagon lot before the Run though DC. (photo by Jeff Malet)

: Buck Jones from Farmland, Indiana, stands next to his personal “war memorial for the troops who never made it back home”. (photo by Jeff Malet)

: Robert Johnson of Salem, Virginia, protects himself from the sun and 90-degree heat. (photo by Jeff Malet)

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: The North Pentagon lot is full. (photo by Jeff Malet)

: Veteran John Bendzick from Dearborn Michigan has attended the last 28 rallies. He is “upset” to see it end. “It should continue on with the Middle Eastern veterans”. (photo by Jeff Malet)

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: Fred Baldock from Nova Scotia Canada and Gerry Wright from Andover Conn. Gerry has a bill in Congress to eliminate the end dates Agent Orange compensations. (photo by Jeff Malet)

: Donald Aquilano from Holmdel, New Jersey, and Patrick Cornel from Forked River, New Jersey. (photo by Jeff Malet)

: Tom Rhodes and Shelby Pine (Nashanic Station, New Jersey) of Rolling Thunder Charities are selling Rolling Thunder related “stuff.” (photo by Jeff Malet)

: 10 year old child advocate Miss Sawyer promotes “Kids with a Cause” at Rolling Thunder, making a difference in the lives of our veterans and active military one smile at a time. (photo by Jeff Malet)

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: “Spikebuck” and “Flower Power” of Lancaster Pa. (photo by Jeff Malet)

: Navy veteran Paul Gunther of Montgomery County, Maryland, is active with the Fleet Reserve Assn. and Toys for Tots. (photo by Jeff Malet)

: “Cowboy” of Niagra Falls N.Y. is active with the Hogs and Heroes Foundation. (photo by Jeff Malet)

: Reverend Monsignor Salvatore A. Criscuolo wearing his MPD uniform, where he serves as chaplain, will ride in the vanguard. (photo by Jeff Malet)

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: Ellis and Beatrice from Vienna, Virginia, show their support. (photo by Jeff Malet)

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: Boy Scout Patrick Beene (age 16) from Burke, Virginia. (photo by Jeff Malet)

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: Robert Wilkie, Secretary of Veterans Affairs, was a featured speaker at the event. (photo by Jeff Malet)

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: Rockie Lynne performs. (photo by Jeff Malet)

: Presenting the colors. (photo by Jeff Malet)

: Presenting the colors. (photo by Jeff Malet)

: Members of Rolling Thunder New Hampshire Chapter One salute the flag. Front row: Bill Elkins, Joe Downing and John Dominicus. Back row: chapter president John Dion and Richard Caruso. Photo by Jeff Malet.

: Remembering Our Fallen is a photographic war memorial that honors our country’s military Fallen from The War on Terror (9/11/2001 – Present). Unlike brick and mortar memorials, Remembering Our Fallen is designed to travel and includes both military and personal photos. (photo by Jeff Malet)