Some SIU headquarters officials and employees are trying to determine whether there is enough interest for the union to participate in this year’s Memorial Day weekend “Rolling Thunder” event in Washington, D.C.“We would like to raise awareness concerning those who served our country on merchant vessels during times of war, supplying our troops,” one official noted. “Many of those mariners gave their lives in defense of our country.”
Rank-and-file Seafarers, SIU retirees, union employees and family members who may be interested in riding at the May 24 event as part of an SIU contingent are asked to email their contact information to the following address as soon as possible:
rollingthunder2009@gmail.com
The Washington-based Rolling Thunder event is a yearly demonstration, largely by motorcycle riders, for POW/MIAs and veterans’ issues. According to a communication from Rolling Thunder, Inc., participants will assemble in the north Pentagon parking lot beginning at 8 a.m. They will leave at noon for the ride through D.C. to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial “to pay our respect to our brothers and sisters who gave their lives for freedom we enjoy every day and for the full accounting of all POWMIAs and veterans’ rights. This is a demonstration – not a parade.”
More information is available on the web at www.rollingthunder1.com (that’s a number “1” rather than a letter L in the address).
According to the web site, Rolling Thunder, Inc. is a non-profit organization “with over 88 chartered chapters throughout the United States and members abroad. While many members of Rolling Thunder are veterans, and many ride motorcycles, neither qualification is a prerequisite.”
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