LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 25th Anniversary of Rolling
Thunder, Inc., to be celebrated on May 27, 2012

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize that the
quality and character of life in the communities across New York State
are reflective of the concerned and dedicated efforts of those organiza-
tions and individuals who would devote themselves to the welfare of the
community and its citizenry; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commem-
orate the 25th Anniversary of Rolling Thunder, Inc., to be celebrated on
Sunday, May 27, 2012; and
WHEREAS, Incorporated in 1995, Rolling Thunder, Inc. is a non-profit
organization with over 90 chartered chapters throughout the United
States; and
WHEREAS, While many members of Rolling Thunder are veterans and many
ride motorcycles, neither qualification is a prerequisite; and
WHEREAS, Rolling Thunder members are old and young, men and women,
veterans and non-veterans; and
WHEREAS, All members are united in the cause to bring full account-
ability for Prisoners Of War (POW) and Missing In Action (MIA) of all
wars, reminding the government, the media and the public by our watch-
words: "We Will Not Forget"; and
WHEREAS, In the fall of 1987, Vietnam veterans met to discuss their
personal concerns about the POW/MIAs from the Vietnam War; and
WHEREAS, Having honorably served their country and having taken an
oath to "support and defend the Constitution of the United States
against all enemies" and to "bear true faith and allegiance to same,"
they were deeply troubled by the neglect of attention given to those who
did not make it out with their lives or their freedom; and
WHEREAS, These noble veterans discussed the more than 10,000 reported
sightings of live Americans living in dismal captivity; intelligence
reports of these sightings were generally ignored by the government and
mainstream press; and
WHEREAS, The founders of Rolling Thunder were ordinary men who under-
stood that they had a right to have their voices heard and proceeded to
lay down the plans for a gathering in Washington, D.C. during the 1988
Memorial Day weekend; and
WHEREAS, The founders reached out to their families, fellow veterans
and veteran's advocates to unify and form a march and demonstration in
the nation's Capital; and
WHEREAS, Their arrival would be announced by the roar of their motor-
cycles, a sound not unlike the 1965 bombing campaign against North Viet-
nam, dubbed Operation Rolling Thunder; and
WHEREAS, Consequently, they would call themselves "Rolling Thunder", a
title that would endure time and be trademarked in 1990; and
WHEREAS, Word spread quickly and by Memorial Day weekend in 1988,
approximately 2,500 motorcycles from all over the country converged on
Washington, D.C. to demand from our leaders a full accounting of all
POW/MIAs; and
WHEREAS, As the founders of Rolling Thunder made their stand that day
in front of the Capitol, they reflected thankfully for the people who
came in support of the POW/ MIAs and for the unity that was felt; and
WHEREAS, On that day, the foundation was laid for the annual "Ride for
Freedom" to the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Wall; and

WHEREAS, Since its establishment, the number of participants and spec-
tators in the Memorial Day weekend Ride for Freedom has grown from 2,500
to an estimated 900,000 individuals; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when organiza-
tions of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten-
tion, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of
this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 25th Anniversary of Rolling Thunder, Inc.; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Rolling Thunder, Inc.