Our Mission Statement
The major function of Rolling Thunder®, Inc. is to publicize POW-MIA issues: To educate the public that many American prisoners of war were left behind after all previous wars and to help correct the past and to protect future veterans from being left behind should they become prisoners of war-missing in action.

We are also committed to helping American veterans from all wars.

Rolling Thunder®, Inc. is a non-profit organization.
Members donate their time because they believe in the issues we are working on.
 

CHAPTER LOCATIONS

[mouse over or click on a star for more information]

*SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT*

 OUR NEXT STATE MEETING WILL BE

HELD AT THE MT. PLEASANT VFW POST

March 3, 2012 at 1pm.
October 6, 2012 at 1pm.
December 1, 2012 at 1pm.

LOCATED AT
4841 E. PICKARD STREET IN MT. PLEASANT.

***SPECIAL INFORMATION***

STATE OF MICHIGAN CHAPTER'S
2012 CALENDAR OF EVENTS

JANUARY

FEBRUARY

18th. Grand Rapids Vets Home B-Day Party (Chapter 1 & 4)

MARCH

3rd. State Meeting in Mt. Pleasant 1pm.

 8th. X-POW Luncheon at Ann Arbor V.A. Hospital @ noon (Chapter 5)

31st. Spaghetti Dinner Fund Raiser at Hamburg VFW post at 5pm. (Chapter 5)

APRIL

21st. Grand Rapids Vets Home B-Day Party (Chapter 1 & 4) 

MAY

12th. Ride to Remember in Howell 1pm (Chapter 5)

 18-19th. Tight line for the Troops in Manistee (State Event)

20th. Blessing of the Bikes in Baldwin 1pm (Chapter 1)

27th. Rolling Thunder XXV, 25th Anniversary "Ride for Freedom" (National)

JUNE

9th. Tip-Up for the Troops in Kensington Park (State Event)

16-17th. Walleye for the Warriors in Bay City (State Event)

 16th. Grand Rapids Vets Home B-Day Party (Chapter 1 & 4)

17th. Family Fun Fest in Hamburg Veterans Recognition Day (Chapter 5)

23-24th. Thunder at the River in Manistee (State Event)

JULY

27-29th. Michigan Veteran's Reunion in Cheboygan

28th. Grand Rapids Veteran's Home Carnival at Noon (Chapter 1 & 4)

29th. VFW Home for Kids in Eaton Rapids at Noon (State Event)  

AUGUST

18th. Grand Rapids Vets Home B-Day Party (Chapter 1 & 4) 

SEPTEMBER

 21st. POW/MIA Day with X-POW's at VA Hospital in Ann Arbor (Chapter 5)

22nd. POW/MIA Ceremony at Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly at Noon (Chapter 5)

OCTOBER

6th. State Meeting in Mt. Pleasant 1pm.

 20th. Grand Rapids Vets Home B-Day Party (Chapter 1 & 4)

27th. Spaghetti Dinner & Raffle at Hamburg VFW 5pm. (Chapter 5)

NOVEMBER

11^th Veteran's Day Parade in Grand Rapids. Chapter 4)

11th   - Veterans Day Ceremony at Brighton Cemetery (Chapter 5)

 23rd. – Festival of Lights Parade Howell (Chapter 5)

DECEMBER

9th. Christmas with at the Detroit Homeless Shelter 1pm (Chapter 5)

15th. Grand Rapids Vets Home B-Day & Christmas Party (Chapter 1 & 4)

22nd. -  VA Hospital Christmas Party  (Chapter 5)

PRESIDENTS PLEASE TRY TO INCLUDE THE STATE & NATIONAL EVENTS
IN YOUR 2012 EVENT'S CALENDAR.

WE WOULD LIKE TO INVITE ALL OF OUR MEMBERS TO
JOIN IN AND VISIT WITH THEIR FELLOW MEMBERS ACROSS THE STATE.
 

 _________________________________________________________________________

MICHIGAN'S FALLEN HEROES 
 

_________________________________________________________________________

FACT SHEET

Incorporated in 1995, Rolling Thunder^Ò, Inc. is a class 501(c)(4) non-profit organization with over 88 chartered chapters throughout the United States and members abroad.  Our membership is comprised of veteran and non-veteran men and women from all wars and peace-time. 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.  The name Rolling Thunder is derived from the constant bombing of North Vietnam in 1965 and was given the name, "Operation Rolling Thunder."  No officers or members of Rolling Thunder^Ò, Inc. receive compensation; we all donate our time.

VETERAN & COMMUNITY SERVICE

·         In 2007, Rolling Thunder^Ò Charities, Inc. was established as a 501(c)(3) tax exempt, non-profit organization.  These funds are used for veterans, active military and their families in need of help.  No officers of Rolling Thunder Charities, Inc. receive compensation; we all donate our time.

·         Rolling Thunder spends hundreds of thousands of dollars each year in financial aid, food, clothing and other essentials to sanctioned veterans' groups, homeless veterans and veterans' families in need, women's' crisis centers and toys for children. 

·         In 2005, Rolling Thunder united with the National Alliance of POW/MIA Families to petition the U.S. Government to use the designation “Prisoner of War/Missing in Action” (POW/MIA) – a designation recognized by the Geneva Conventions - not “Missing/Captured”.  To ensure that prisoners’ rights and protections remain consistent under the Geneva Conventions.

·         Expenditures exceed over half a million dollars a year, nationwide, to educate the public and increase awareness about the POW/MIA issue and other injustices suffered by veterans.  The organization regularly donates POW/MIA flags to local area schools, youth groups, non-profit organizations and special interest groups, and organizes flag raising ceremonies.  Veterans speak to youth groups about the honor of serving their country and educating them about the POW/MIA issue.

·         Rolling Thunder sponsors search missions into Southeast Asia for POWs, MIAs, and the remains of those killed in action.

·         Thousands of hours are logged in by Rolling Thunder members at local VA hospitals nationwide. Members visit and provide moral support to nursing home veterans and patients suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). 

·         Helped facilitate the publishing of a POW/MIA U.S. postage stamp through the U.S. Postal Service that displayed dog tags with the declaration - "POW & MIA-NEVER FORGOTTEN"

·         Rolling Thunder National is on the Board of Directors of the Ride to the Wall Foundation, a veterans' fund established through the sales of the musical CD, "Ride to the Wall" produced for Rolling Thunder XIV by Paul Revere & the Raiders in cooperation with Rolling Thunder.

·         Rolling Thunder participated in the dedication of the World War II Memorial in 2004 and assisted with organizing the World War II parade that took place on that historic date.

LEGISLATION

Rolling Thunder^Ò, Inc. has advocated and/or co-authored legislation to improve the POW/MIA issue, veterans' benefits, concerns and interests as follows:

House Resolution 111

In 2007/2008 we continue to lobby Congress with more than 270 co-sponsors to establish a Select Committee on POW/MIA Affairs.  The Committee would conduct a full investigation of all unresolved matters relating to any United States personnel unaccounted for from the Vietnam era, the Korean conflict, WWII, Cold War Missions, or Gulf War, including POWs and MIAs.

Encourage the designation of “Hire a Veteran Week” (H.Con.Res. 125) (Bill Summary)

Rolling Thunder expressed support for the designation and goals of “Hire a Veteran Week” and encouraged the President to issue a proclamation supporting these goals.  Passed the House under suspension of the rules by unanimous voice vote on July 24, 2006.  On July 25, 2006 the bill was received by the Senate and the Senate concurred.

Respect for Fallen Heroes Act of 2006 (H.R. 5037) (Bill Summary)

Legislation to prohibit certain demonstrations at cemeteries under the control of the National Cemetery Administration at Arlington National Cemetery and for other purposes.  On May 24, 2006 it passed the Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.  The House agreed to suspend the rules and agreed to the Senate amendment by voice vote on that same day.  On May 29, 2006 the bill was signed by the President.  Public Law 109-228

Veterans’ Housing Opportunity & Benefits Improvement Act of 2006 (S.1235)(Bill Summary)

Legislation to amend title 38, United Stated Code, to provide adaptive housing assistance to disabled veterans residing temporarily in housing owned by the family member and to make direct housing loans to Native American veterans; make modifications to the Advisory Committee on Veterans Employment and Training within the Department of Labor; provide Life and Health Insurance coverage to certain veterans and their family members; and for other purposes.

Veterans Benefits, Health Care and Information Technology Act of 2006 (S.3421-PUBLIC LAW 109-461)

Sec. 502 Department of Veterans Affairs goals for participation by small businesses owned and controlled by Veterans in procurement contracts.  Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that Members of the House should actively engage with employers and the American public, to encourage the hiring of members and former members of the Armed Forces who were wounded in service and facing transition to civilian life. H.R. 1070 (Bill Summary)  

Veteran-Owned Small Business Promotion Act of 2005 (H.R. 3082) (Bill Summary)

Legislation to amend title 38, United States Code, to require that nine percent of procurement contracts entered into by the Department of Veterans Affairs be awarded to small business concerns owned by veterans, and for other purposes.  Passed House on July 24, 2006 by unanimous voice.

Persian Gulf War POW/MIA Accountability Act of 2002 (S.1339)

First introduced by Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell (R-Colorado) in August 2, 2001, the legislation amends the Bring Them Home Alive Act of 2000 which was signed into law in November of 2001. That law provides for the granting of refugee status in the United States to nationals of certain foreign countries in which American Vietnam POW/MIAs or American Korean War POW/MIAs may be present, if those nationals assist in returning POW/MIAs alive. The new law extends the granting of refugee status in the United States to nationals of Iraq or the greater Middle East region. It provides for the International Broadcasting Bureau, which includes the Voice of America, to broadcast information about the law in the Middle East.

The necessity of this legislation is demonstrated by the case of Jessica Lynch and other POW’s returned alive. SSgt. Matt Maupin (Army) captured 4/9/04, remains found, identified and returned 3/30/08, as well as, Pfc. Byron W. Fouty (Army) and Sgt. Alex R. Jimenez (Army), both captured 5/12/2007 remains found, identified and returned 07/10/08, and Capt. Scott Speicher (Navy), a Persian Gulf War Veteran who has been missing since 1991.

                                                                                                                          
    Age 41 Home: Ann Arbor, Michigan
Army reservist assigned to Provincial Reconstruction
Team Baghdad.
Details: On October 23, 2006, Altaie was categorized as
Duty Status Whereabouts Unknown when he allegedly was
kidnapped while on his way to visit family in Baghdad, Iraq.
The Pentagon changed his status to Missing-Captured on
December 11, 2006. 

    Spc. Ahmed K. Altaie

 Age 23, Home: Ketc hum, Idaho
Bergdahl is assigned to the 1st Battalion, 501st Infantry
Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division,
Fort Richardson, Alaska
Details: Captured in Paktika province, Afghanistan,
on June 30, 2009. The Pentagon declared him Duty Status
Whereabouts Unknown on July 1, 2009, and his status was
changed to Missing-Captured on July 3, 2009.

    Pfc. Bowe R. Bergdahl

The POW/MIA Memorial Flag Act of 2001 (S-1226)

This bill was signed into legislation by President George W. Bush in part due to Rolling Thunder’s lobbying efforts. The main force behind this bill was Senator Campbell and Congressman Dan Burton.  Rolling Thunder was highly instrumental in passing legislation to ensure that the POW/MIA flag will fly below the American Flag any day the American flag is flown in Washington, DC at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the Korean Memorial and the WWII Memorial.

Displaying of the POW/MIA Flag over Federal Buildings and Military Facilities

Rolling Thunder was highly instrumental in passing legislation requiring that Federal buildings, all Post Offices, the Vietnam and Korean Memorials in Washington, D.C. and military facilities fly the POW/MIA flag on all six National holidays.

Bring Them Home Alive Act of 2000

Senator Campbell sponsored and co-authored with Rolling Thunder the Bring Them Home Alive Act of 2000.  The Act provides for the granting of refugee status in the United States to nationals of certain foreign countries in which American Vietnam War POW/MIAs or American Korean War POWs/MIAs may be present, if those nationals assist in returning POWs/MIAs alive.

Missing Service Personnel Act of 1997

Since the mid-1980's, Rolling Thunder has worked tirelessly on this bill that would guarantee missing servicemen or women could not be arbitrarily "killed on paper" by the U.S. government without credible proof of death.  The bill was originally sponsored by Senator Campbell in 1993.  Rolling Thunder's efforts helped facilitate passing of a majority of the resolutions, and efforts continue to restore the law as it was originally written.

http://www.rollingthunder1.com/about.html