Rolling Thunder XVIII (18)

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Rolling Thunder XVIII was held on Sunday, May 29, 2005.  

An estimated 350,000 bikes and 500,000 people came to Washington, DC to keep the POW/MIA issue before our elected officials.  

I rode in early with a couple of friends from Gaithersburg, MD.

The parade started at noon under clear skies and lasted for several hours. 

Former Secretary for Veterans Affairs, Anthony Principi, was in the lead on his Harley Deuce accompanied by Gen. Myers, Chief of DOD Joint Chiefs of Staff, Nancy Sinatra rode with Sgt. Artie Muller, and Paul Revere rode his V-rod. 

The former Assistant Secretary for the VA Office of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs, Cynthia Church, attended this year riding with Calvin 'Robbie' Robinson on his Harley soft tail.

The red pickup truck leading the bikes blew its transmission just as we made the turn onto Constitution Avenue. 

Billows of white smoke made for a dicey situation. 

Visibility was instantly reduced to zero. 

I could not even see my speedometer. 

Fearing that he would have to stop immediately I steered to the right and hoped that he would not be in my way. 

A slight breeze blew enough smoke away to reveal the truck veering off to the left and the parade of bikes continued toward the Capital. 

One unfortunate rider slipped on the spilled transmission fluid and went down hard enough to injure his passenger. 

Some absorbent was quickly spread over the fluid to reduce the hazard.

After the parade we paid out respects at the Wall. 

I wanted to get a couple of things in Thunder Alley and after that we rode to the Asylum. 

The Asylum and the usual familiar faces were a welcome sight. 

After a nice lunch and some refreshments we made our way back home.

 

 

 

Cherie surveys the bikes at Rockville Harley   Steve and Judy relax before the parade

 

 

View of the Pentagon North Parking lot

 

       

 

Me and Steve next to the lead truck    Paul Revere rode again this year

 

Nancy Sinatra, Artie Muller, Gen. Richard Myers, Paul Revere and Anthony Principi before the run

  

This was VA Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs, Cynthia Church's first Rolling Thunder

  

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Cherie and Judy dueling cameras