ALR Run To The Thunder 2014

Washington, DC 

Register Now! 

The American Legion Riders will join the "ROLLING THUNDER" demonstration as an organized body.  We'll ride together and represent the American Legion together.  Our ride from Post 177 in Fairfax to join Rolling Thunder at the Pentagon is called the "Run To The Thunder." 

Presented, for your review, is OPORD 2014:

SITUATION:

In 2012, our inaugural year, over 600 American Legion Riders rode as an organized body to join the the Annual Rolling Thunder demonstration in Washington DC.  We anticipate many more in 2014!

ALR members fully support the mission of Rolling Thunder Inc.: to publicize POW-MIA issues, to protect future Veterans, and to help American Veterans from all wars.

Memorial Day Weekend 2014 (May 23-25) is the date for Rolling Thunder Weekend, and for many patriotic and veteran-themed events throughout the Washington DC area.

MISSION:

ALR members gather from across the Nation in Washington DC to participate in events throughout the weekend and to share in the camaraderie of the American Legion Riders.  Our weekend culminates in gathering as an organized group at Fairfax Virginia Post 177 on Sunday morning, 25 May, to proudly ride together as American Legion Riders to demonstrate our unity and patriotism in support of the Rolling Thunder demonstration.  

EXECUTION:

 - Thursday, May 22: 

• Post 177 sets up to receive American Legion Riders.  Limited food items available for dinner.  
• Post Social Quarters open until 11 pm.

- Friday, May 23: 

• Noon: Registration & Check-in opens.
• Noon: American Legion Emblem Sales opens. Open all day.
• Noon: Social Quarters open for lunch and until 11 pm.
• Noon: Vendors begin setup in Post 177 Parking Lots.
• 5:15 pm: POW Ceremony in Post 177 Social Quarters area.
• 5:30 pm: "Friday Night Dinner" ($15 inclusive) until 8 pm.
• 7:30 pm: Organized motorcycle ride to Candlelight Vigil at Vietnam Memorial.  Safety briefing at 7 pm
• Special Guest for you to meet on Friday evening: 

Marine SSgt Tim Chambers, "The Lone Marine" (Check out his story at  http://www.ihatethemedia.com/the-story-of-the-lone-marine )

- Saturday May 24: 

• 8:00 am: Registration & Check-in opens - all day.
• 8:00 am: Breakfast at Post 177.  Normal a la carte menu.
• 8:00 am: American Legion Emblem Sales open - all day.
• 9:00 am: Post 177 OPEN HOUSE (Food and many Vendors) - all day.  Seamstress on site.
• 9:00 am: Marine SSgt Tim Chambers visiting throughout the day.
• 12:00 noon: Sons of the American Legion (SAL) Barbecue  ($10) until 4 pm.  
• 2:00 pm: "Blessing of the Bikes", courtesy of the Christian Motorcyclists Association.
• 4:00 pm: Group from The Run ForThe Wall (www.rftw.org) makes a tour stop at Post 177. (Time approximate.  They plan to arrive for the band. Check out their web site for more Tour information.)
  
• 6:00 pm:  Special Band Performance: "Madison Rising", sponsored by the Concerned Veterans of American (CVA)
• 6:00 pm: Dinner - free.  Sponsored by the Concerned Veterans of America (CVA).

- Sunday May 26:

• 5:00 am: Last-minute Registration & Check-in at Paul VI high school parking lot.
• 5-7:00 am: Motorcycle line-up at Paul VI high school (next to Post 177.)
• 5-6:30 am: Buffet Breakfast (donations) will be available at Post 177.
• 5-7:00 am: Last opportunity to visit American Legion Emblem Sales.
• 7:00 am: Patriotic Opening Ceremonies for RTT2014  in parking lot of Post 177.
• 7:30 am: ALR departs for  Run To The Thunder 2014!
• 3:00 pm: After-event barbecue at Post 1976, Annandale, VA. $20 per person.

Movement Guidance:

• American Legion Riders will proceed via I-66 to Pentagon parking lots.  ALR & Rolling Thunder road guides will assist with entry to designated parking areas. 
• Additional information for entry/access into Pentagon parking lots will be provided upon final coordination with Rolling Thunder, INC and the Pentagon Force Protection Agency (PFPA).
• The ALR rides as a group into Washington DC in support of Rolling Thunder.
• Helmets are required to ride as an American Legion Rider. 
• Please wear your vests and ALR markings.  It makes it easier to ID our own riders.
• Each bike must display the marker(s) issued at Registration.  The purpose it to help identify ALR riders as we move into assembly areas, and to prevent mixing with other groups.
• Once "Rolling Thunder" begins and we leave the Pentagon parking lot, we would like to open up into a formation that is 4-bikes wide, once we start to cross the Memorial Bridge into DC.  Our goal is to present a solid formation of ALR riders, moving under control in formation.  Parade-style.  Most riders go blasting down Constitution Avenue.  We'd like to do it with respect and control.  4-wide.
• The ride ends when we enter the assembly area at the end of the parade.  You are on your own to enjoy the concert, Thunder Alley, food, the sights, etc!
• The American Legion Riders will have our own table this year in Thunder Alley, so come on over and visit!

Pentagon Parking Lot Comments

It's a touchy subject every year (and we didn't do our best the first year.) Will we get into North Parking?  Will we bake in South Parking?  The answer is that there are no guarantees.  We'll do our best to get into North Parking, but wherever we wind up, we'll stay together.  Plan for the worst situation.  Bring your own water and snacks.   Bring someting for shade, if you are imaginative.  Last year, the weather was in the 60s! The year before, 90s!  Sometimes, the better prepared you are, the less you need it!  

The goal is to ride proudly as Legion Riders.

SERVICE SUPPORT:

REGISTRATION is OPEN.  Click the link above or below. 

• See page to search for local hotels near Fairfax Post 177.
• See page for list of other American Legion Posts in the Washington DC area.
• There are many motorcycle and veteran-related activities in the DC area all weekend.
• Buffet breakfast available at Post 177 0500 to 0630 hrs.
• There is only limited water & refreshments available in Pentagon parking lots.  Please BRING YOUR OWN WATER AND SNACKS.  Be prepared for the unexpected.  It can be HOT and dry in the Pentagon parking lots, and the wait can be hours long before we move.
• ALR has coordinated with Rolling Thunder for space in the Pentagon lots, the exact location will be announced when confirmed.
• See page for list of VOLUNTEER opportunities.  We can use the help!

COMMAND & SIGNAL:
Observe parking lot control volunteers and measures on Sunday morning.  We have use of the Paul VI High School parking lot (next to Post 177) as well as the Post lot.

• Bikes with FLAG MOUNTS (at least 3' x 5') will form to the front of the formation.
• CB radio channel will be 32.
• See links page for email and emergency contact information
• TWITTER information: @ALRRollingThund
• FACEBOOK site: 
• http://www.facebook.com/AlrRunToTheThunder

NOTE:

Check out what is going on all weekend at an American Legion Post near where you are staying.  The host American Legion Post, Post 177 in Fairfax will have the Legion Emblem Sales in the building on Friday and Saturday, plus an Open House all day Saturday with a barbecue, vendors, and seamstress available.

Register Now!