New chapter of Rolling Thunder rolling into McDowell

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Rally & Event News By Mike Conley This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it | The McDowell News

An international organization that works on POW/MIA issues and helps veterans plans to start a chapter here in McDowell County.
Ross Moore of Statesville is a member of Rolling Thunder, a non-profit organization with more than 88 chartered chapters throughout the United States and several foreign countries. The organization's major purpose is to publicize issues concerning American prisoners of war and those who are still listed as missing in action.
Moore and other members of Rolling Thunder are starting a new chapter for McDowell County. An organizational meeting will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at the National Guard Armory at 102 Spaulding Drive.
Rolling Thunder's Web site states its mission is "to educate the public that many American prisoners of war were left behind after all previous wars and to help correct the past and to protect future veterans from being left behind should they become prisoners of war-missing in action. We are also committed to helping American veterans from all wars."
"We make the public aware of it," said Moore. "We make the government aware of it."
Incorporated in 1995, Rolling Thunder sponsors search missions into Southeast Asia for those left behind from the Vietnam War. In 2007, Rolling Thunder set up a charity organization that allows individuals and corporations to make a tax-deductible donation. The money for Rolling Thunder Charities is used for veterans, active military and their families in need of help.
Members also volunteer their time to visit and offer moral support for veterans in nursing homes and VA hospitals. Rolling Thunder participated in the dedication of the National World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C.
While many members of Rolling Thunder are veterans and also ride motorcycles, Moore said you don't have to be a veteran or ride a motorcycle to join the group. Rolling Thunder's Web site says they are "all united in the cause to bring full accountability for POWs and MIAs of all wars, reminding the government, the media and the public by our watchwords: 'We Will Not Forget.'"
"We are not a motorcycle club," he said, adding that a lot of them do ride motorcycles though.
The organization is known for the sound of their motorcycles when scores of the members converge on Washington, D.C. during the Memorial Day weekend. The annual demonstration is called the "Ride for Freedom." Members of Rolling Thunder travel to the nation's capital and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial to bring attention to POW/MIA issues.
Moore was in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam era and seven generations of his family have served their country in uniform.
With such a strong heritage, Moore said he's got a passion for helping America's men and women in the service, both alive and dead. Since World War I, approximately 91,000 American servicemen are still unaccounted for, he said.
Moore said he hopes interested folks in McDowell will come for Saturday's organizational meeting at the Armory. The yearly dues for members are $30.
The McDowell chapter will be the only one in North Carolina, west of Statesville.
"We've got a good group and we look forward to having more," he said.

For more information, contact Ross Moore at (704) 252-0414.

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http://www2.mcdowellnews.com/content/2010/feb/18/new-chapter-rolling-thunder-rolling-mcdowell