The nonprofit organization Wreaths Across America has pledged $200,000 to keep the annual Rolling Thunder tribute to fallen U.S. service members alive.
Wreaths Across America organizes wreath-laying ceremonies to honor fallen veterans in cemeteries across the U.S. The group’s executive director, Karen Worcester, made the announcement regarding Rolling Thunder in an appearance on Fox News Monday.
“We appreciate your 30-plus years of the ride,” Worcester told Rolling Thunder executive director and retired Army Sgt. Artie Muller. “I know that you have a need, that there is some monetary need, so Wreaths Across America would like to make that offer.”
The pledge comes as the future of Rolling Thunder’s annual Memorial Day ride in Washington, D.C., is in doubt. The Pentagon’s high permitting and security costs are straining the group’s finances, Rolling Thunder’s leaders say.
The Rolling Thunder’s annual event brings hundreds of thousands of bikers and supporters to D.C. President Trump tweeted on Saturday that he would help the annual event continue.
Trump followed up on Sunday, promising that the “Rolling Thunder WILL be coming back to Washington, D.C. next year, & hopefully for many years to come. It is where they want to be, & where they should be.”
The Great Patriots of Rolling Thunder WILL be coming back to Washington, D.C. next year, & hopefully for many years to come. It is where they want to be, & where they should be. Have a wonderful time today. Thank you to our great men & women of the Pentagon for working it out!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 26, 2019
If the Rolling Thunder cancels its annual Washington, D.C., event in 2020, the group’s members will still ride on Memorial Day in smaller groups organized by their local chapters across the U.S.
