OFF THE WIRE
Bob and Jani Bergdahl, parents of Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, the U.S. Army soldier who was taken prisoner in Afghanistan in June 2009 accompanied officers of Rolling Thunder®, Inc. and others to the White House in Washington, D.C. on Friday, May 25, 2012. On a positive note, the Bergdahls met with President Obama concerning their son Bowe. After arriving at the back entrance to the Homeland Security Building and in sweltering heat White House staffers failed to offer assistance to the disabled veterans who attended, tasking them with climbing many steps to the entrance of Security. After going through security and being ushered into a large room Rolling Thunder, Inc. met with White House staff. About 10 minutes into the meeting, the Rolling Thunder contingent was offered canned soda from a box lid carried by staff and bottled water but no ice or drinking glasses. The meeting with the White House staff went well and they did their best to answer questions, but it was the objective of Rolling Thunder to discuss points of interest directly with President Obama. The Rolling Thunder contingent was then brought to the main entrance of the White House for a staged hand shake, words of thank you and a photo session followed by a quick departure from the President without the courtesy of addressing the organization's concerns. In comparison, on previous visits to the White House, President Bush greeted Rolling Thunder members at the front door and sat down with them in the Oval office discussing the issues of Veterans from all wars and accounting for all Prisoners of War/Missing in Action. Not this time! President Obama didn't have time to speak directly to Rolling Thunder, Inc. a hand shake was sufficient for the Veterans who gave us FREEDOM!!
This year marked the 25th Anniversary of the Rolling Thunder®, Inc. "Ride for Freedom" demonstration in Washington, D.C. It was an amazing turnout of supporters with an estimated 750,000 motorcycles not counting the thousands of spectators and riders who lined the streets along the demonstration route. Rolling Thunder, Inc. would like to thank the speakers, celebrity entertainers, chapter members, Veteran organizations, motorcycle clubs and all who arrived from a few miles or thousands of miles to attend. Your support and dedication to the POW/MIA issue, Veteran's rights and benefits was overwhelming.
About Rolling ThunderIncorporated in 1995, Rolling Thunder®, Inc. is a class 501C-4 non-profit organization with over 100 chartered chapters throughout the United States. Membership comprises men and women with 40-45% being non-veterans and the balance being veterans from all wars and peacetime. Although many of its members ride motorcycles, a person does not have to own or ride a motorcycle to be a member, just the time and willingness to be an advocate for our troops, veterans, and POW/MIAs. For more information about Rolling Thunder, visit the organization's web site at http://www.rollingthunder1.com/index.html .
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/rolling-thunder-inc-officers-visit-white-house-received-as-second-class-citizens-2012-06-01
