Rolling Thunder Has a huge turn out in Washington

Rolling Thunder Has a huge turn out in Washington to show their support for our veterans!

This annual Event has grown to Epic proportions... To fully understand the affinity that Bikers have for our veterans, You first have to understand the "Biker Lifestyle". Being a Biker is really all about the freedom to be who we are without fear of persecution. It is about standing strong in our convictions when we are being persecuted. Being a Biker is also about protecting not only "our own personal rights" It is also about protecting the rights of our brothers and sisters. It is about accepting people for who they are and allowing them to express themselves freely.

Does any of this sound Familiar to you?

Well... It should. That is exactly what our veterans have fought to give us. It is the very standards that they themselves up hold, sometimes paying the ultimate price for it. I don't know of a single Biker that doesn't respect that fact.

Not all of those brave men and women that sacrificed for all of us, may agree with all of our beliefs or way of life and that's OK.. they have earned our respect for what they gave to us.. Above all else Bikers are most passionate about their "Freedom" and we never forget where that comes from..

Soldiers have much deeper roots within the Biker community then most even know

If you take a look back in history and how being signified as a "Biker" even got it's start, you'll then begin to have a better understanding of "who" we are and "what" we stand for.

It all started at the end of WWII, Since the rough terrain of the European battlefield proposed a challenge in the beginning of the conflict. The U.S. introduced a solution to that problem. Their solution came in the form of a Harley Davidson. Our troops were not only taught how to handle these bikes over rough terrain but also how to shoot while riding them.. They were taught how to put their Harley into a slide, laying the bike down to use as a shield from enemy fire and so they could return fire from a prone position. The men that rode these Harleys all over Europe were some of the best of the best. A special breed of soldier that all to often were the unsung hero's of WWII.

Just like many of our brave soldiers, a lot of those Harleys never made it back from the battlefields. However there were quite a few that did. Our soldiers came home pumped up from their victory over seas. With a renewed sense and understanding of what "Freedom" really means. Young men full of testosterone and adrenaline, excited to celebrate, cut loose and raise a little hell. With their pockets full of money from their military pay and a huge surplus of army issued Harley Davidson's for sale cheap, these soldiers began buying them up left and right.

They were a wild and reckless bunch that soon started forming motorcycle clubs. The wildest among them becoming the lawless gangs that were the making of Biker legend further exploited by Hollywood in the 50's,60's and early 70's. Often portrayed as an enemy to decent society.

In 1969 Easy Rider starring Peter Fonda, Dennis Hopper and of course those now infamous choppers, told our story from a different point of view. The movie became an instant icon amongst both the Bikers of the day and the youth that felt that the movie gave a message that was long over due.

"It's all about the freedom man"

"We just want to ride our bikes and not get hassled"

Love it or hate it... it doesn't really matter. The movie sparked a whole new generation of Bikers within our own little subculture that has continued to grown into the millions.

In the 1990's Jay Leno admitted his love for Harleys and exposed his enormous collection of classic bikes to the rest of the world. Movie star's, sports legends and singers started making public appearances at rallies on there custom choppers. All of a sudden "Being a Biker" became "fashionable" and more publicly acceptable to the ranks of society.

Along with this new popularity of motorcycles and the resurgence of the The Harley Davidson motorcycle company, Our rallies grew exponentially. They came in droves from all walks of life. From the young wanting to experience a new sense of freedom for the first time. To the "Baby Boomers" wanting to recapture the freedoms they once cherished and defined them as a generation but was later left behind giving way to the "ideals" of a booming corporate world.

The Biker Rallies and events continue to be in huge numbers today, although those numbers may have somewhat diminished. For many of those who called themselves "Bikers" in order to be "fashionable" and "cool" have since parked their Bikes!

For those of us that really got what it meant to be a Biker early on will continue to show up to these event's. For those who came because it was fashionable but learned what it was truly about... they too will be there, because once it is your blood it is no longer a hobby, it is a lifestyle. It is a life statement of who we are and what we stand for. it is a passion that burns inside of us.

We are not here because it is in fashion... We are not here because we want people to think we are cool...

Whether we are loved or hated... Whether we are in fashion or not... We are here for the long haul....

We are here because it is in our blood... We are here because it is who we are...

We are here because we are Bikers!