President Barack Obama is reflected in the Vietnam Veterans Memorial wall as he delivers remarks during the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War commemoration ceremony in Washington, D.C., May 28, 2012.
(Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
These pictures were sent by email of what this ended up looking like for all the people trying to go and honor the fallen on the Wall!
Was he thinking about the people traveling from all across the country to honor the fallen from Vietnam and Vietnam veterans or was he thinking about himself?
For all the good he has done for veterans and should be proud of, he does something like this and fuels the animosity. It is doubtful he understood what Memorial Day weekend in Washington means to our veterans.
Several groups are very upset about this. There is one place where politicians should never turn a time to honor into a time to promote themselves. THE WALL IS A PLACE TO HONOR THE FALLEN AND ALL THE VETERANS OF VIETNAM.
A Lone Marine Salutes
POSTED BY PATRICK EDABURN, ASSISTANT EDITOR IN AT TMV
JUN 2ND, 2012
Every year the veterans group Rolling Thunder holds a special event in Washington DC. They ride from the Pentagon to the Vietnam War Memorial both to bring attention to POW/MIA issues and to pay honor to the fallen. read more here
Crystal City Hilton Hotel was taken over again by the Nam Knights!
My husband and I missed it again this year so we were really happy to see this video. I hope we make it there next year because we sure do miss this huge gathering.
Parents of captured U.S. soldier lead Washington motorcycle rally
By Stacey Samuel
CNN
updated 6:14 PM EDT, Sun May 27, 2012
Rolling Thunder motorcyclists ride into Washington on Sunday, the day before Memorial Day
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
Bowe Bergdahl disappeared in June 2009 in Afghanistan
His parents lead the Rolling Thunder ride
Robert Bergdahl's message to his son: "Stay strong, never give up"
Washington (CNN) -- The parents of missing U.S. serviceman Bowe Bergdahl led the Rolling Thunder ride in Washington on Sunday, trailed by the roar of what was estimated to be hundreds of thousands of motorcycles.
The annual Memorial Day weekend ride, now in its 25th year, is held in remembrance of prisoners of war and those missing in action.
Bergdahl, a 26-year-old army sergeant, was captured in Afghanistan in 2009 after he finished his guard shift at a combat outpost in southeastern Paktika province. read more here
Red, white, blue and chrome
Bikers ride 101 miles to benefit 101st Airborne Association
7:22 PM, May. 19, 2012
Written by
Philip Grey
Leaf-Chronicle
HOPKINSVILLE, KY. — Riders representing Rolling Thunder, The Patriot Guard, Crusaders Set Free Church and other organizations made a 101-mile Freedom Ride from Evansville, Ind., to Western Kentucky Veterans Cemetery on Armed Forces Day. The purpose was to raise money on behalf of the 101st Airborne Division Association and its soldier support programs.
The National Armed Forces Freedom Rides take place in 32 states, with each state organization using proceeds to benefit different military charities. The organizer of Saturday’s event, Rodney Bond, said that the Indiana and Kentucky Freedom Ride organizations chose the 101st Airborne Division Association, which over the years has given out over one million dollars in scholarships, grants, programs and help for individual soldiers in need, according to Association Executive Secretary Wayne St. Louis. read more here
St. Augustine FL Elks welcomed members of Rolling Thunder and Patriot Guard Riders while they escorted Bringing Home The Wall.
There were about 300 bikes.
In 2008 I took pictures as one of their Walls was being put together. It takes a lot of work to put all the pieces together and with each panel, prayers and memories flooded into their minds.
Bringing Home the Wall is the creation of Dee Twig. This down sized replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington D.C. was built out of their care for mankind and for the people who served, died and are missing in the Vietnam War. They operate and move the traveling wall memorial at their own expense and through donations that are left by the people that visit it.
It should be noted that because of the size of this wall, it enables them to move it to smaller facilities than the larger scale wall. This allows visits to places like homes for the elderly, VA Hospitals, churches and other buildings where people that would not otherwise be able to ever see The Wall can.
Much like The Virtual Wall® online, a computer setup so that your loved one or friend can be easily located on the tribute. The database holds all of the names that are on the actual wall and will pinpoint which panel display the name you are looking for can be found on Bringing Home The Wall. We can be contacted by phone at 407-433-0015 for information on displaying the wall in your community or email him below for further information.
Their booth is in ruins, but vets' mission intact
Friday, November 26, 2010
BY BRETT ZONGKER
THE RECORD
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
WASHINGTON — Rolling Thunder won't let a fire stop its longtime mission of educating visitors to the nation's capital about soldiers still unaccounted for from the Vietnam War.
An accidental blaze this week, likely caused by a leak in a propane heater, destroyed a kiosk that has sold mementos for nearly 20 years, but that, more important, gave Vietnam veterans who manned the booth around the clock a chance to talk to people about their brothers still considered missing.
"You wouldn't believe the people that come up to you and ask, 'What does POW-MIA mean?' " said Walt Sides, a founder of Rolling Thunder and a Marine Corps veteran from Leesburg, Va. "That's why we're there — to get the word out."
He said the group plans to rebuild with an identical booth that also used to stand at the site near the Vietnam Memorial.
All that was left after the fire was the shell of the kiosk and charred debris, including POW bracelets and a flagpole with the tattered remains of an American flag.
read more here Their booth is in ruins, but vets mission intact
In June, local bikers helped the Winston-Salem chapter of Rolling Thunder lead the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall into Mount Airy. Soon, Surry County’s chapter of the Vietnam Veterans of America will have a biking group of its own.
Dan Hilton, who helped organize the Veterans Reunion that took place in Mount Airy in early June, explained that each chapter of the Vietnam Veterans of America has its own biking club. The Granite City Chapter 1021 of the Vietnam Veterans, located in Mount Airy, now is starting a biking group.
“It’s a good idea to do it,” said Hilton.
The group will be part of Rolling Thunder, the official motorcycle club of the VVA.
Father and son team stayed with the Nam Knights all weekend and went on the rides Saturday and Sunday. Really nice guys.
wprior1 — June 06, 2010 — Interview with Al Molaf of the Nam Knights Motorcycle Club. Filmed Memorial Day Weekend at the Rolling Thunder R... wprior1 — June 06, 2010 — Interview with Al Molaf of the Nam Knights Motorcycle Club. Filmed Memorial Day Weekend at the Rolling Thunder Rally 5/30/2010 Washington D.C. Al talks about his service in the United States Army and his treatment he experienced after returning home from the war in Vietnam. The producers of the "WE REMEMBER" documentary will continue to post more interviews with the veterans from the Rolling Thunder Rally 2010. View more interviews on you-tube under the tag line Rolling Thunder 2010. Special thanks to all the members of the Nam Knights MC. -William M. Prior, William J. Prior.
Many good friends talked about what they did this weekend. BBQ food, lots of beer, pool parties and having fun. Not many of them really remembered what Memorial Day weekend is for. This is not unusual considering how few have anyone in their families serving today or have served at one time or another. Forgetting what Memorial Day is for used to get me angry but now, I actually feel sorry for them, for what they are missing out on and for the kind of people they will never know. I don't have the ability to ignore Memorial day and I wouldn't trade with them for a second.
Friday I flew into Washington, took a cab to Walter Reed so that I could have a tour and meet some of our wounded. As tired as I was, thinking my legs would never carry me room to room, one after another rejuvenated me with how inspirational they all are. Young men and women healing from wounds and trying to learn to do things all over again at the same time they worry about their brothers and sisters still deployed and not regretting a second of their service.
When I arrived at the hotel, there were the Nam Knight patches everywhere.
One of them became a Prospect Saturday before the ride.
Hundreds of Nam Knights and their wives headed off to the Wall Saturday morning. The local police did a fantastic job making sure the roads were safe for us and no one tried to cut off the huge pack.
We met at the Wall for a ceremony and prayer, heard taps played and everyone walking near us stopped, took off their hats and waited in silence.
From the Wall we went to the Law Enforcement Memorial for another service. The some of the members went to Maryland while some of us from Orlando went to revisit the Wall. We wanted to be able to get a couple of etchings after all these years. Last year we didn't get close to the Wall but this year, we were finally able to touch it. Standing there everything else in our lives left our minds. All the problems, all the things we have to be concerned about vanished and all we could think about were the lives lost. We went to the statue of the three "grunts" but it was enclosed in a box for renovation. We went to the memorial for the women, also called the Nurses monument. From there we went to the Lincoln Memorial, the Korean Memorial and to the WWII Memorial.
Back at the hotel there was time to relax and party. Most of them needed to break the emotional time of the day and they cut loose. Everyone was welcomed to join in and there was dancing in the street, laughing, hugging and just enjoying the company of this extended family.
Sunday came and my husband headed off to Massachusetts giving me time to sit and talk with hotel guests. I had a late flight back home and was not going on the Rolling Thunder Ride without him. There was a couple sitting near me and we began to talk. They are the parents of the Marine who stands saluting the Rolling Thunder parade/pilgrimage.
Staff Sgt. Tim Chambers has been doing this for eight years. His parents told me that he was recovering from having pneumonia just two weeks ago. Today I found out that on Saturday, he traveled to Maryland for the BBQ with the Knights and then even sang a song, reportedly, doing a great job. His parents told me that Tim saves his leave every year. He came from Camp Pendleton to make sure he was there, as he puts it, to honor those who sacrificed for him. Amazing! One generation thanking the other and then being thanked in return.
The Commander of Camp Pendleton must understand how much this means especially to Vietnam veterans. After they were pushed away from everyone, everywhere, to have this kind of tribute means a great deal. The Vietnam veterans came home, treated badly, to say the least, but were determined to make sure no generation of veterans would ever, ever leave another generation behind. Tim understands this and they mean a great deal to him.
The Rolling Thunder Story In the fall of 1987, in a little diner, in Somerville, New Jersey, two Vietnam veterans met to discuss their personal concerns about the prisoners of war (POW) and missing in action (MIA) from the Vietnam War. Having honorably served their country, and having taken an oath to "support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies..." and to "bear true faith and allegiance to same," they were deeply troubled by the abhorrent neglect of attention given to those who did not make it out with their lives or their freedom. These two veterans discussed the more than 10,000 reported sightings of live Americans living in dismal captivity. Intelligence reports of these sightings were generally ignored by the government and mainstream press. Artie Muller and Ray Manzo were these two veterans.
One more reason why Staff Sgt. Chambers salute means so much to Rolling Thunder as well as the Nam Knights.
There were many stories about tough, leather wearing bikes being brought to tears just seeing him standing there with his salute to them. One young girl who just lost her Dad went over to him with tears in her eyes and told Tim how her Dad died. He pointed to the flowers at his feet and told her they were for her Dad and all the others who died. He talked to her until she was able to smile again. Over the years, there were many stories of how emotionally healing it is for these veterans to see Tim. This year I heard there was a Soldier standing there as well. A wonderful tribute on this very solemn day.
I got back home on Sunday night and then Monday morning headed out to another Memorial service at Glen Haven Memorial Park in Winter Park FL.
Chaplain of the Florida National Guards, Maj. Anthony Clark gave the invocation and then really came the need for tears. Bud Hedinger of 540WFLA introduced the story of Staff Stg. Robert James Miller nominated for the Medal of Honor.
24, of Oviedo, Fla.; assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Bragg, N.C.; died Jan. 25 in Barikowt, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when he encountered small-arms fire while conducting combat operations. Former University of Iowa student killed in Afghanistan
The Associated Press
IOWA CITY, Iowa — A former University of Iowa student was killed during combat operations in Afghanistan, the Department of Defense announced on Saturday.
Army Staff Sgt. Robert J. Miller died in Barikowt, Afghanistan. He suffered wounds during small-arms fire, according to the Department of Defense press release.
Robert Miller’s mother, Maureen Miller, of Oviedo, Fla., told The Gazette of Cedar Rapids that her son had attended the University of Iowa for one year before leaving school to enlist in the Army Special Forces.
She declined further comment, the newspaper reported. A phone message from The Associated Press was not immediately returned.
Miller worked in Special Forces as a weapons sergeant. He was assigned to Company A, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group Airborne, which was based in from Fort Bragg, N.C.
According to the Department of Defense, he was deployed to Afghanistan in 2006 and awarded with the Army Commendation Medal with Valor for courage in the face of the enemy.
He was awarded eight other medals while in service, including the Army Good Conduct Medal, two Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development ribbons, the Ranger Tab and Special Forces Tab.
During his deployment in Afghanistan, Miller earned a promotion to staff sergeant.
Miller was born Oct. 14, 1983 in Harrisburg, Pa. He enlisted in the Army as a special forces candidate on August 2003, and became a Green Beret in 2005.
Miller is survived by his parents, Philip and Maureen Miller; brothers Thomas, Martin and Edward; and sisters Joanna, Mary, Therese and Patricia, all of Oviedo, Fla.
Fallen Green Beret gets battlefield salute
Staff report
Staff Sgt. Robert J. Miller, who was killed in action Friday in Afghanistan, was honored by hundreds of soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines who lined the tarmac and roadway at Bagram Airfield on Sunday to pay their last respects.
Miller was a member of A Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne).
According to a press release from U.S. Army Special Operations Command, he was killed by Taliban fighters as he protected his fellow Operational Detachment Alpha soldiers during combat operations near the Pakistan border.
The firefight took place near the village of Barikowt in the Nari district in Afghanistan’s Konar province during a security patrol with Afghan border police in the Chenar Khar Valley, the release said.
On Sunday, Miller’s flag-draped casket was carried in a tactical vehicle to a waiting Air Force C-17 cargo aircraft, and as the vehicle passed the line of his uniformed comrades, each stood at attention and saluted him for the last time.
Soldiers from Special Operations Task Force 33 formed a cordon leading to the ramp as his brothers in arms serving as pallbearers escorted Miller’s remains into the aircraft’s empty cargo area, the release said.
“He was always quick to volunteer and never thought it should be any other way. On numerous occasions when the Detachment was faced with a difficult task, Robby would just stand up and say, ‘I got this one, I’ll do it, send me,’” Capt. John Bishop of Special Operations Task Force 33 and Miller’s former detachment commander, said at the ceremony.
The release stated that on Jan. 25 Miller was leading a team of Afghan security forces and other coalition soldiers during a combat reconnaissance patrol in Konar Province, near the Pakistan border when insurgents hiding in a structure attacked Miller’s team.
A fellow teammate called for close-air support to drop ordnance on the insurgent position, which momentarily disrupted the attack. But when the combined patrol moved toward the structure to check for any remaining enemy threats, the insurgents again fired using heavy weapons.
Miller’s team captain was seriously wounded within the first minutes of the attack, and while he was being moved to safety, Miller returned fire, remaining at the front of the patrol to lay down suppressive fire on several enemy positions.
Even while injured by direct enemy small arms and machine gun fire, Miller continued to fire his M249 Squad Automatic Weapon and grenades to suppress enemy fire and protect his teammates, who gained cover and also returned fire.
Miller, who was one of eight brothers and sisters, enlisted as a Special Forces trainee on Aug. 14, 2003, according to the release.
He graduated from the Special Forces Qualification Course on Sept. 26, 2004, and the Special Forces Weapons Sergeant Course Mar. 4, 2005.
During his last deployment to Afghanistan from August 2006 to March 2007, Miller received two Army Commendation Medals for Valor for his courage under fire, the Army release said.
Miller returned to Afghanistan for his second tour in October 2007, where he served as a weapons sergeant for his team.
There were so many reminders of people doing extraordinary things and the others going off to enjoy themselves instead of knowing what and who this day is for, will never know what they were missing. If they think they have problems, they will never know what it is like to see them fade away in front of the Vietnam Memorial Wall. If they think they are tied or sore, they will never know what it's like to shake the hand of a young soldier in a hospital bed recovering at the same time he says he wants to go back or hear a young female MP missing a leg to say how lucky she feels to be alive. They will spend their days thinking of their own lives, their own problems and never once know what it's like to stand near a hero who was unselfish and risked their lives for all the other things we get to enjoy. Like a day to honor the fallen who gave all.
Maybe it will dawn on them as July 4th comes why we get to celebrate that day as well, but I doubt it.
For the last eight years, he's been seen by hundreds of thousands of veterans as he stands there saluting the reason they all came. Sacrifice! People from around the country descend on Washington DC every year. Hundreds from the Nam Knights (Vietnam veterans, police officers, firefighters and other veterans including Iraq and Afghanistan) and hundreds of thousands from Rolling Thunder, all on motorcycles, and you can hear their engines coming from far away. All of these people pass by him but few even know his name.
Staff Sgt. Tim Chambers, from Camp Pendleton, travels across the country to be there every year in full uniform because he says, "It is a reminder of their sacrifice for me." This year, I had a conversation with his parents Randy and Diane Hoge. Staff Sgt. Chambers was recovering from pneumonia he had two weeks ago. He was still just as determined to stand there saluting until the last bike went by. These pictures are from some of the years he's been there to honor our Vietnam Veterans.
The Nam Knights had their ride on Saturday but most of the members also joined Rolling Thunder on Sunday. They pulled out of the hotel at 9:00, due to pull out of the Pentagon Parking lot at 12:00. By all accounts when the bikes started to roll back into the hotel area it was 5:00 and there were still bikes passing through. Hundreds of thousands of veterans being touched by this act of honor by this honorable Marine just wanting to show his appreciation.
One generation honoring Vietnam veterans for their service as Staff Sgt. Chambers' heart is tugged every year. Standing there like the passing of a torch, saluting for four hours or more, in the heat and while many Vietnam veterans wipe tears from their eyes as they see him, they know they are remembered by other generations.
This is so important to them to see this Marine greeting them as they make their way to the Wall. Preparing their hearts for the magnitude of the emotional rush of seeing the names of people they knew engraved on the massive Wall, sadness replaces the joy of riding with their brothers. They remember the cost, they remember the fallen and they also remember how they were treated when they returned back to these states.
I don't know if any has thanked the commanders of Camp Pendleton for sending him or not, but they should be very proud of the impact they have had of Vietnam veterans as well as the newer generation. Many of the Vietnam veterans have sons and daughters serving right now. I know this is true for the Vietnam veterans in the Nam Knights. Some of the veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan were riding in both groups on Saturday and Sunday. I also know this is true with members of Rolling Thunder.
There are so few combat veterans in this nation considering the size of the population. So few understanding what the price of our freedom really is and even less being reminded of the men and women who laid down their lives for it. The reminders of service engraved in the hearts and memories just as surly as the names are engraved on the Wall, connected by this act of appreciation and honor from this Marine from Camp Pendleton. The service trumps generations connecting them in a bond few others can understand.
When we honor the fallen on Memorial Day, we do not honor just one generation, but all of them and this example of dedication stands as a testament this is a family. They grieve for a "brother" and they grieve for a "sister" just as they would grieve for a blood relative. Staff Sgt. Chambers is connecting like a son because he is the son of a Vietnam veteran.
Moving Wall arrives
By JO ANN BOBBY-GILBERT (jgilbert@reviewonline.com)
EAST LIVERPOOL - They came from a variety of towns by a variety of conveyances, but their reason for coming was one and the same: to honor the vets.
As early as 7:30 a.m., the roar of motorcycles could be heard traveling toward Calcutta as bikers gathered to escort the Moving Wall to its resting place in Thompson Park.
About 100 riders, many members of the Rolling Thunder veterans' group, solemnly led the trailer hauling the packed-up pieces of the memorial to the park, where it was assembled almost reverently by a group of assorted volunteers.
Dressed in their leather chaps and vests to ward off the early morning cold, the riders included city Councilmen Bink Applegate and James Tennant and city firefighter Jeff Southall.
As the first piece was carried to the apex, onlookers stood quietly, only the clicking of scores of cameras to be heard as history was recorded again in the river city.
This was the second visit to the city for the memorial, which attracted tens of thousands of visitors when it reposed in the park during the Memorial Day weekend in 1994, glistening black panels proudly bearing its stark message for all to see.
Again this time, the community stepped up to the cause, headed by local veteran Ron Simmons, donating money and their time to bring the memorial back to town, prepare a place for it and set it up.
"It's all about our veterans," Mayor Jim Swoger said, as he watched the work progress, each shining black panel carried by two volunteers to its resting place.
State Flag Placed at Vietnam Wall to Honor Louisiana Veterans
Louisiana Army and Air National Guard
Story by 2nd Lt. Angela Fry
Date: 05.28.2009
Posted: 05.28.2009 06:37
WASHINGTON – A 1,200-mile journey through the heat of the southern days and the cool temperatures of the northeast, strapped to the back of a Harley Davidson, describes the final journey of a single Louisiana state flag. The flag was eventually placed at its final destination ... the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington.
A member of the Louisiana National Guard recently participated in the annual Run for the Wall motorcycle pilgrimage, individually escorting the flag in honor of the more than 800 U.S. Armed Forces members from Louisiana who lost their lives in the Vietnam War.
"I wanted to be able to do something special to honor veterans from Louisiana," said Staff Sgt. Perry M. Pee of Eros, La. "This is my first year to be able to make 'The Run' all the way to D.C. We spent the past year circulating the flag around the state collecting as many signatures of Louisiana veterans and current service members as we could."
"The trip was demanding," stressed the mechanic with the 527th Engineer Battalion in Ruston, La. "But I know that whatever difficulties we may have had, it's nothing like the ultimate sacrifice the Soldiers on The Wall made."
go here for more http://www.dvidshub.net/?script=news/news_show.php&id=34238
By SHEILA RHOADES Friday, May 29, 2009 10:31 PM EDT
LAKETON - U.S. military brothers and sisters, friends and supporters from all over the country converged on Washington D.C. this week in the annual "Run For The Wall," a motorcycle freedom ride which began in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.
The RFTW culminated in more than 350,000 motorcycles filling three-and-a-half of the four Pentagon parking lots, with riders (called Rolling Thunder) who were there to pay their respects to those who gave their lives in exchange for American freedom. Those still serving in the military were honored as well.
As some riders passed through Wabash County, Bob and Chris Haecker were honored to welcome them into their home for a brief respite from the road and to enjoy an afternoon barbecue.
Bob Haecker is also a veteran. He served in Vietnam and received a Purple Heart for wounds received in combat. This was his very first trip to The Wall, where the names of 58,261 men and women are listed. The number also includes 1,200 MIAs and POWs.
Sue Steadman, director of Rolling Thunder Chapter 3, serves Saturday during its holiday dinner. (Sarah Wright/Gazette)
Rolling Thunder thanks homeless vets
Chillicothe Gazette - Chillicothe,OH,USA
Group cooks up holiday meal for ninth year, provides gifts
By JONA ISON • Gazette Staff Writer • December 14, 2008
The local Rolling Thunder Chapter celebrated the holidays Saturday by showing appreciation for veterans who are homeless or living in group homes.
The group, which focuses on raising awareness about those listed as prisoners of war or missing in action, began conducting a holiday meal nine years ago because "so many of them are forgotten," said Melody Smallridge.
"It's rewarding," she added.
About one third -or 154,000 -homeless in the nation have served in the armed forces, according to estimates by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Robert Clifford Carte, 51, would be on the street if it weren't for a local group home, he said.
Carte was one of more than 100 area veterans served at Saturday's dinner. Although Carte technically served in the Air Force during peace time after the Vietnam War, he had problems assimilating back into society upon his return.
click link above for more
ORLANDO -- Dozens of wounded veterans got a big welcome Sunday at Orlando International Airport.
Many gathered at the main terminal to welcome the 146 wounded veterans and their families who are attending the annual Road to Recovery Conference this week.
The event helps the vets learn to reintegrate into society. It also includes a job fair with top employers.
Veterans also get free tickets to Disney World, and they get to attend Disney's Very Merry Christmas party.
The event is sponsored by the Coalition to Salute America's Heroes, which is a group that provides financial aid and programs for veterans returning home.
Orlando chapter of Nam Knights Motor Cycle club, Rolling Thunder members, Patriot Guard Riders and a host of service organizations, as well as regular people came to welcome these wounded warriors as they traveled to Orlando for a Disney vacation with their families. Nam Knights Orlando/ The Nam Knights are Vietnam veterans, police officers, firefighters and they wanted to make sure the newer veterans are given all the appreciation they deserve. During the year they hold fund raisers, travel across Florida to escort the Traveling Wall and for other memorials, support Boots on the Ground along with a long list of other groups. Some of the members have sons serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Muller on Saturday said he planned to tell Bush that many veterans have been wrongly classified as having a personality disorder, when they should be getting higher compensation for post-traumatic stress disorder.
“We feel that this is just saving the government some money because there are over 28,000 troops that they’re not paying disability benefits for,” he said.
Rolling Thunder asks Bush to become a member
By Christine Simmons - The Associated Press Posted : Tuesday May 27, 2008 6:51:19 EDT
WASHINGTON — Members of the Rolling Thunder motorcycling group roared into town for a White House visit Sunday, where they presented President Bush with his own cowhide vest jacket and pushed for increased veterans benefits.
“Mr. President, we’d like to make you an honorary member of Rolling Thunder,” said Artie Muller, the group’s executive director, to a delighted Bush, who shed his suit jacket to don the vest and pose for pictures.
While the president of Rolling Thunder did ask Bust to become a member, this is not the headline that should have been used. It should have been the message Muller gave to address the discharges of the men and women who served this nation under personality disorder instead of PTSD. This was the most important aspect of what was said.
Has the media even bothered to ask about what happens to the troops who were misdiagnosed? Do they even care? Have they asked a single politician what the plans are for any of them? For the homes they lost, the rents they couldn't pay, the families that fell apart or the lives lost over any of this?
(02/08/2008) (Courtesy Photo) -- Eric Hall's family released this new photo of Eric Hall. Authorities are conducting a search for 24-year-old Eric Hall in Harbour Heights, Fla. Friday, February 8, 2008. The Sheriff's Office has set up a mobile command center and is utilizing mounted patrols and K-9 units in the search. According to the Sheriff's Office: Relatives last saw Hall on Sunday at their Deep Creek home. They said he was hallucinating and acting as if he were shooting an invisible gun. His Yamaha motorcycle was found near Sulstone Drive and Pasadena Terrace. Jason McKibben /
Eric Hall's mother Becky comforts his brother Justin as they wait for news in the search, nearby is Eric's good friend Chaz Kane. Authorities are conducting a search for 24-year-old Eric Hall in Harbour Heights, Fla. Friday, February 8, 2008. The Sheriff's Office has set up a mobile command center and is utilizing mounted patrols and K-9 units in the search. According to the Sheriff's Office: Relatives last saw Hall on Sunday at their Deep Creek home. They said he was hallucinating and acting as if he were shooting an invisible gun. His Yamaha motorcycle was found near Sulstone Drive and Pasadena Terrace. (Photo by Jason McKibben/courtesy of the Sarasota Herald-Tribune) Jason McKibben /
Authorities in Florida are searching for an ex-Marine from Clark County, who is believed to be suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Eric Hall, 24, had been staying at a relative’s home in Deep Creek, Fla., for about two weeks when he began hallucinating and having flashbacks, a press release from The Charlotte County (Fla.) Sheriff’s office says. He was last seen when he left the home on his motorcycle Sunday. The motorcycle was later found along a nearby roadside still running.
The search effort renewed Friday morning in the Harbour Heights, Fla., area, where he may have been after he was reported missing.
Deputies, K-9 teams, a helicopter and mounted patrols participated in the search. By Friday afternoon, officials said, he still had not been located.
Hall has been back from Iraq for about three years and had since been granted medical retirement by the Marine Corps.
This should go to Rolling Thunder, Patriot Guard and Nam Knights to help find Eric Hall. He's a Marine with PTSD and has been suffering since he came home.
