THIS YEAR, EVENTS ARE SET TO TAKE PLACE IN NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER. THIS WEEKEND, MILLIONS OF FLAGS ARE WAVING ACROSS THE NATION TO HONOR THE BRAVE MEN AND WOMEN WHO FOUGHT AND GAVE THEIR LIVES FOR THE FREEDOMS WE ENJOY DAILY. ON THE GULF COAST, CEREMONIES AND EVENTS HAVE BEEN HAPPENING ALL WEEKEND, INCLUDING ONE THAT CONTINUES TO GROW. MADISON ZALESKI IS IN GORDA TONIGHT, WHERE SHE MET WITH ROLLING THUNDER OF FLORIDA AS THEY HELD THEIR THUNDER RIDE FOR FREEDOM. >> A ROLL OF THUNDER CAN BE A DISTURBING SOUND, BUT IN THIS CASE, IT REPRESENTS SUPPORT FOR THE AMERICAN DREAM. MEMBERS OF ROLLING THUNDER, AN ADVOCACY GROUP FOR PRISONERS OF WAR AND THOSE MISSING IN ACTION, CAME TOGETHER ON MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND TO THANK ALL WHO HAVE SERVED AND SACRIFICED. >> “I HAVE A MISSING COUSIN, AND THAT’S THE FOCUS OF ROLLING THUNDER, ALONG WITH HELPING VETERANS IN NEED.” >> ROLLING THUNDER WAS FOUNDED 37 YEARS AGO AS A PROTEST IN WASHINGTON, D.C., AIMING TO SHOW SUPPORT FOR THE MILITARY AND REMIND CONGRESS. >> “IT APPEARS THERE IS AN INCREDIBLE NEED FOR THOSE WHO ARE MISSING TO COME HOME FIRST,” ED SAID. OVER 1,200 BIKES, INCLUDING 300 BIKERS, RODE FROM LASHLEY PARK IN GORDA TO BERT’S BLACK WIDOW HARLEY-DAVIDSON ON SUNDAY MORNING. RIDERS HOPE THIS WILL ONE DAY PROVIDE RELIEF TO FAMILIES OF THE FALLEN. 82,000 STILL REMAIN MISSING IN ACTION SINCE WORLD WAR I. >> “ONE OF THE MAIN EVENTS WE DO IS TO SUPPORT GROUPS GOING BACK IN COUNTRY TO NORTH AFRICA, EUROPE, AND SOUTHEAST ASIA TO LOCATE REMAINS, CONDUCT DNA TESTING, AND BRING THEM HOME.”
Rolling Thunder riders honor veterans and MIA with Memorial Day ride
Over 300 bikers and members of Rolling Thunder rode from Laishley Park in Punta Gorda to Bert’s Black Widow Harley-Davidson on Sunday morning.
Updated: 11:08 PM EDT May 25, 2025
A roll of thunder can be a frightening sound, but it signifies support for those who served and sacrificed. Members of Rolling Thunder, an advocacy group for prisoners of war and those missing in action, gathered for Memorial Day weekend to express gratitude to all veterans. Dr. Lance Armstrong stated, “Because I have a missing cousin, that’s the focus of Rolling Thunder, along with helping veterans in need.” Founded 37 years ago as a protest ride in Washington D.C., Rolling Thunder aims to show support for the military. “To remind Congress, P.O.W.s and M.I.A.s must come home first,” remarked Carl Steinhoff, chairman of Rolling Thunder, Chapter 5. More than 300 bikers rode from Laishley Park in Punta Gorda to Bert’s Black Widow Harley-Davidson on Sunday morning. Riders hope this effort will one day bring relief to families of the fallen.
“Currently, we have 82,000 still missing in action since World War I. Rolling Thunder is one of the key events we do to support groups traveling back to countries like North Africa, Europe, and Southeast Asia to locate remains, conduct DNA testing, and reunite them with their families,” Steinhoff explained.
DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more.
