In a return to normalcy following the COVID-19 pandemic, Rolling to Remember motorcyclists will kick off their annual Memorial Day weekend ride through the streets of Washington, D.C. and suburban Virginia from the Pentagon parking lot on Sunday.
“We are extremely excited to be back at the Pentagon,” said Joe Chennelly, executive director of AMVETS, the group hosting the event. “This has been a long time coming, working on this since shortly after the demonstration ride in 2019. We are grateful that the Pentagon allowed the demonstration ride back into its parking lot. This means a great deal to those who ride with this mission of demanding full accountability for every U.S. servicemember still missing in action, and being there for those who did make it home but are still battling for their lives.”
The demonstration ride formerly known as Rolling Thunder, serves to bring attention to the nation’s POWs, MIAs and veteran suicide. The event was held mostly virtually in 2020 because of the pandemic. In 2021 and 2022, it began at RFK Stadium.
“When these patriots on motorcycles come over Memorial Bridge, with Arlington National Cemetery behind them and the National Mall in front of them, it is going to be really special,” said Chenelly. “We have all been waiting four years for this.”
The Memorial Day weekend tradition began in 1988. Events kick off this year Friday, with the traditional blessing of the bikes at the National Cathedral. Other events will take place at DAR Constitution Hall and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
The ride itself gets underway at 12 p.m. Sunday. Participants will gather at the Pentagon’s north parking lot, go around Memorial Bridge and the National Mall.
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“Rolling to Remember is much bigger than anyone, any organization, bigger than all who ride together Sunday,” said Chenelly. “This is a movement that cannot be stopped. For those who ride, it is their personal way to make a difference, to salute those still missing and those still suffering. For the thousands who come out to the National Mall to watch and wave, this is their way of showing their support and gratitude, of making a difference in their own right.”
Road closures will take place prior to the event, according to organizers. Streets along 22nd Street between C Street and Constitution Avenue NW will posted as Emergency No Parking and closed for public safety to vehicle traffic from Friday at 5 p.m. through Monday at 11 p.m.
“We are preparing for a very full parking lot, even having plans in place if we need to stage additional bikes on a nearby highway,” added Chenelly. “We hope the numbers are huge because Congress and the [Biden] Administration are watching, looking to see if we as a society still care. I am confident we will show them that America still cares greatly.”
Reach Julia LeDoux at Julia@connectingvets.com.
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