WASHINGTON (NNS) -- More than 400 motorcycle enthusiasts affiliated with Rolling Thunder, Inc., a non-profit nation-wide organization dedicated to increasing awareness for U.S. Prisoner of War (POW) and Missing in Action (MIA) concerns, gathered at the Navy Memorial May 29 to recognize veterans past and present.
The wreath-laying ceremony came as a precursor to what has become a Memorial Day weekend tradition for more than two decades, a national gathering of motorcycle enthusiasts in Washington drawing more than 70,000 participants, several of whom are veterans of conflicts.
Incorporated in 1995, Rolling Thunder, Inc., is a non-profit organization with nearly 90 chartered chapters in the United States and members abroad, united in the cause to bring full accountability for POWs and MIAs of all wars, encouraging individuals through a variety of demonstrations, parades and community outreach events to ensure service members are accorded respect, evidenced through the organization's watchwords, "We Will Not Forget".
Lt. Cmdr. (ret) Pete Zaleski, Rolling Thunder, Inc. national veteran's rights officer, served as the event's guest speaker, addressing a crowd comprised largely of Vietnam-era veterans on the importance of both the organization's mission, as well as recognizing all U.S. citizens choosing to serve their country's armed forces.
