Rolling Thunder 2008

Photo by dbking

The skies are bright with sunshine, but the streets of Washington, DC roar with thunder. Rolling Thunder is back. The annual motorcycle event, originally conceived to draw attention to the plight of Vietnam-era POWs and MIAs, has grown into a roaring tribute to all America’s veterans.

Contingents of cyclists have come from across the country, and salutes roared past armed service monuments yesterday. The largest tribute starts at Noon Sunday, starting at Arlington Cemetery, crossing the Potomac over beautiful Memorial Bridge, circling the National Mall, and stopping near the Vietnam Memorial, where many will quietly look for the names of fallen comrades and relatives. Music and oratory will complete the afternoon.

Many Washingtonians bring cameras to the DC end of Memorial Bridge, but hesitate to photograph dismounted riders at the Vietnam Memorial — it feels emotionally wrong, an invasion of privacy.

In contrast to Rolling Thunder, Sunday’s official Memorial Day Concert on the Capitol grounds seems woefully contrived. A Capitol Hill secret: the concert rehearsal was Saturday night, and not as stuffy as the Sunday affair. If you go the concert, please don’t gun your bike during the recitations.