I would like to plan a trip to the Washington DC Vietnam War Memorial 2013.
Suggestions about hotels, dates, events, would be appreciated.

 

Might start with checking the websites of the various HD dealers in the area. Patriot HD is in Virginia, Fort Washington is in MD and is the host dealership for Rolling Thunder. Poke around and see what they have in the way of a schedule, etc.

 

+1 on rolling thunder, great group of people and no doubt the biggest Nam rally out there.

 

Make reservations early as there will be a large number of people going. Go to the Friday night ceremony at the wall. Do visit the monuments at night. Watch where you park, cops have gotten funny lately and will ticket for parking where they dont want you. Get to the pentagon early if you want to go out toward the front. Take water and snacks to the pentagon, also a plastic or paper tablecloth or neat sheet to lay on at the pentagon. Pack plenty of patience. Enjoy

 

www.rftw.org

Hoping to do the whole thing this year.

 

If you have never gone to Rolling Thunder, Brother, do yourself a huge favor and go! Make sure to get hotel reservations very soon because 500,000 veterans on bikes show up for it every year. The bikes sitting in the parking lot of the Pentagon on Sunday morning and then starting up, causing a "rolling thunder" is an event that every vet should witness at least once in their life. Most of the participants stay in hotels on and around Jefferson Davis Highway and several rides start at the Hyatt Regency because Rolling Thunder usually is headquartered there.

 

http://rollingthunderrun.com/
Still has all 2012 info, but gives you a lot of insight of what's going on.
Always on Memorial Day weekend with the actual demonstration taking place Sunday.

As cochon said, the VA side of the river is the place to stay if you want to be close to the action. As a 'local' that's what I would do and not stay in DC.

I've done this ride the past 6 years and don't plan on missing one if I can help it. Impressive to say the least.
There's nothing like rounding the corner on 23rd and seeing this... (wife's photo from '11)
.

 

Contact the local veteran MC in your area and ride with them- it deepens the experience.

http://www.rollingthunder1.com/

 

There are several hotels on Rt 50 in Falls Church, straight shot to Patriot Harley one way , straight into DC the other way. Probably 15 minute ride to either one depending on traffic. Patriot has a large ride into the pentagon on Sunday, plenty going on the entire weekend. Well worth the trip, great cause and plenty to see.

 

I was a FNG last year, and am hoping to ride
again this year on the southern Route.