News-Info-Alerts

To: ALL

From: Andi Wolos & Bob Necci

(POW-MIA InterNetwork)

Re: Rolling Thunder Commentary in the Press

Date: June 02, 2001

"Let Them Rest in Peace Monday, May 28, 2001; Page A22

As the thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts of Rolling Thunder descend on Washington on Memorial Day weekend, this combat veteran has a simple request: Quiet down and listen up for a minute.

The secretary of defense has invited all Americans to share a National Moment of Remembrance at 3 p.m. today. The well-intentioned but misinformed bike riders should comply by putting down their kickstands, turning off their engines and showing some respect.

Many motorcyclists may be too young to recall the namesake operation of Rolling Thunder, the blanket bombing of North Vietnam that went on during most of 1965. It proved that Hanoi would not give in and prompted Gen. William Westmoreland to request 375,000 troops, then 400,000 and finally 459,000.

By imitating the noise of those B-52 bombers, the motorcyclists cheapen the sacrifice of those whose names are engraved on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Those men and women deserve eternal rest, not relentless roar.

If Rolling Thunder's members are truly "committed to helping disabled veterans from all wars," why don't they visit the VA hospital or the Old Soldiers' Home or a neighborhood veterans' center? They should shift their focus from the bogus issue of MIAs and POWs to the real problems of severely disabled veterans.

For a mere 60 seconds, let our country become as quiet as a church, as respectful as a funeral procession. Our soldiers died amid the noise of war; now, let them rest in peace.

DENNIS F. SHAW
Bethesda

Let Them Thunder

Saturday, June 2, 2001; Page A18

I had to chuckle at Dennis F. Shaw's letter about Rolling Thunder [May 28].

I am a founding member of Rolling Thunder. All of our chapters throughout the country spend countless hours at veterans' hospitals.

As to the "bogus issue of MIAs and POWs," to demand accountability of government in regard to our nation's sons and daughters, whom we put in harm's way to defend us in time of war, is not a "bogus issue." As citizens, we can ask no less from our government than that all issues regarding MIAs and POWs be resolved before the cessation of any armed conflict. Our folks in the military deserve no less. Their families deserve no less. To abandon our warriors would be truly an act of cowardice.

LEE BAZAN
Middlesex, N.J.