My Rolling Thunder 2010 Experience (Lots of PICS) 56k take a hike
#1
05-31-2010, 07:03 PM
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Chantilly, VA
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My Rolling Thunder 2010 Experience (Lots of PICS) 56k take a hike
I participated in this years Ride to the Wall, aka Rolling Thunder. This was my 2nd year.
The ride is an annual event that is mainly intended to bring attention to the MIA/POW issues. People from all walks of life attend and participate in support of our troops and veterans.
To put the experience into words is difficult. I left my house with 8 of my best buddies, and we rode over to Patriot Harley Davidson in Fairfax, Virginia. It was a very emotional experience, beginning with the lone jogger stopping to salute us as we rode past at 6 o'clock in the morning. One more time: This man was saluting us.
All along the police escorted ride into the Pentagon every bridge was packed with people, flags and signs of support for our troops.
I'm not going to lie, the staging at the Pentagon is quite exhausting. We got there at 10am. The ride through DC begins at noon, and they did not get to our group until about 2:30pm. The waiting is tough, but once you get rolling through DC you quickly forget all of that.
Thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of people come out to demonstrate their support for our troops, not just the guys on the bikes. The National Mall was packed. I was nowhere near the beginning and it was still packed. There are people that came out that you could tell it was a major event JUST to get them there. People in wheelchairs, canes and walkers. People with their kids, parents, grandparents. Veterans and non-veterans. People clapping, saluting, pumping their fists, and yes... people crying.
The signs "Support our Troops" and "Thank you"..... I even saw one lady with a sign proclaiming "This mother thanks you for your sacrifice". She was crying.
It's a rejuvenation of sorts for me. Politics, Economic Collapses, Wars, Scandals, Environmental catastrophes etc..etc... All issues put aside by AMERICAN'S that came out for one purpose: to express their proud support and their appreciation of those who served, who do serve, who will serve and for those that have given the ultimate sacrifice.
You simply can't beat the patriotic rush and sensation of seeing it or participating in it. Must have had something in my eyes on multiple occasions yesterday, it was quite a moving experience.
Thank you to all of those who have fought and continue to fight for my Freedom. I am eternally grateful.
Happy Memorial Day.
Pictures below. They aren't really in any particular order, so if you have any questions about where / when - let me know.
*Note -participation far exceeded their estimated numbers - so we ended up in this overflow lot at the Pentagon.
The ride is an annual event that is mainly intended to bring attention to the MIA/POW issues. People from all walks of life attend and participate in support of our troops and veterans.
To put the experience into words is difficult. I left my house with 8 of my best buddies, and we rode over to Patriot Harley Davidson in Fairfax, Virginia. It was a very emotional experience, beginning with the lone jogger stopping to salute us as we rode past at 6 o'clock in the morning. One more time: This man was saluting us.
All along the police escorted ride into the Pentagon every bridge was packed with people, flags and signs of support for our troops.
I'm not going to lie, the staging at the Pentagon is quite exhausting. We got there at 10am. The ride through DC begins at noon, and they did not get to our group until about 2:30pm. The waiting is tough, but once you get rolling through DC you quickly forget all of that.
Thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of people come out to demonstrate their support for our troops, not just the guys on the bikes. The National Mall was packed. I was nowhere near the beginning and it was still packed. There are people that came out that you could tell it was a major event JUST to get them there. People in wheelchairs, canes and walkers. People with their kids, parents, grandparents. Veterans and non-veterans. People clapping, saluting, pumping their fists, and yes... people crying.
The signs "Support our Troops" and "Thank you"..... I even saw one lady with a sign proclaiming "This mother thanks you for your sacrifice". She was crying.
It's a rejuvenation of sorts for me. Politics, Economic Collapses, Wars, Scandals, Environmental catastrophes etc..etc... All issues put aside by AMERICAN'S that came out for one purpose: to express their proud support and their appreciation of those who served, who do serve, who will serve and for those that have given the ultimate sacrifice.
You simply can't beat the patriotic rush and sensation of seeing it or participating in it. Must have had something in my eyes on multiple occasions yesterday, it was quite a moving experience.
Thank you to all of those who have fought and continue to fight for my Freedom. I am eternally grateful.
Happy Memorial Day.
Pictures below. They aren't really in any particular order, so if you have any questions about where / when - let me know.
*Note -participation far exceeded their estimated numbers - so we ended up in this overflow lot at the Pentagon.
#3
05-31-2010, 07:16 PM
Road Warrior
Awesome pics!!!
I was there last year, (unfortunately not on the bike though).
Truly an awesome thing to witness.
Thanks for sharing.
Tom
I was there last year, (unfortunately not on the bike though).
Truly an awesome thing to witness.
Thanks for sharing.
Tom
#5
05-31-2010, 07:27 PM
Road Captain
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Linden, Virginia
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Thanks for sharing, it's nice seeing it from other points of view. I rode in and parked near the parade route so I could watch you all ride by. It is very moving and I was glad to have my shades on more than once.
#7
05-31-2010, 07:35 PM
Extreme HDF Member
Have some friends that were there. It's still on my list of things to do. Good pictures, thanks!
