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The National Rolling Thunder®
Conference was November 7-9th in Washington, DC.
This was my second Conference as President and again this year
was very informative. I will
have a more specific update for you at our December General Meeting.
This meeting will also be a YANKEE SWAP / PIZZA Night!!
I do want to write this month
about the overall focus of the Conference especially how it relates to
this Chapter and Veteran’s Day. This
year’s theme was “Get Back to Basics”,
which of course had many facets depending on the subject being discussed
at the time. However, as it
relates to our Chapter and our overall purpose, it is reminding us to
ask “Why
did you become a member of Rolling Thunder®, Inc.?”
This also ties into Alan’s request earlier this month for his
Article on Veteran’s Day which I am looking forward to reading.
So I ask all of you to reflect for a moment on that question, why
did you become a member of Rolling Thunder® and specifically NH Chpt.
I.
I became a member of Rolling Thunder®, Inc. because Quinn told me about
the group and as Type-A as I am, I did some research on the group and
then went down and participated in my first Demonstration Ride in May
1995. After that
weekend, I was convinced this was a solid group with a phenomenal
mission. Ensuring that we
have full accountability for all POW/MIA’s and assisting Veterans.
As I learned more about the POW/MIA issue and the challenges
Veteran’s were having some of which I experienced first- hand when I
got out of the Army in 1989, I grew a passion for this group and its
Mission and wanted to be more involved.
Quinn & I received telephone calls in 2000 from Artie Muller
who told us that there was a NH group forming over in the Seacoast and
we needed to link up with them, and see where it goes.
As it turned out, there was a great group of dedicated folks
forming in Epping and as a result of their dedication and hard work; New
Hampshire became officially chartered by National on April 1, 2001.
Why Rolling Thunder®, Inc., because our Mission to ensure the public is
educated on the POW/MIA issue, to ensure that we work for full
accounting of all POW/MIA’s, to assist Veteran’s with their issues
and transitions back into civilian life, to ensure the public never
forgets the sacrifice made by those POW/MIA’s is a Mission that I
believe in my Heart is one worth fighting for!!
That is why I am a member of RT NH Chpt. I.
I agreed to take additional responsibilities within this Chapter
because the Chapter asked me to; because I had a particular skill set
that could assist the Chapter in pursuing our Mission, because I am
willing to give freely of my time and assistance.
I do this because our Great Country is built on the sacrifice of
those Men and Women who served, who died, and who are missing or are
still POW’s and they have earned and deserve my gratitude,
appreciation, and respect. I
won’t forget. I will work
so others don’t forget. I
hope that you joined RT NH Chpt. I because you too believe in our
Mission and are willing to work to ensure our Mission is expressed and
the public is educated on it. This
jointly shared belief is what binds us together.
Whether you are a Veteran or not, ride a motorcycle or not does
not matter. If you believe
in the POW/MIA issue, if you are willing to give freely of your time and
energy to work on Veteran’s issues and assist Veterans, then you have
chosen the right group. I
look forward to working with you and enhancing that kinship between
folks that share a passion – Never Forget; Full Accounting; Welcome Home; How Can I Help You;
and THANK
YOU!
Be Safe & Healthy,
Jeffrey “Doc” Stewart
President RT NH Chpt. 1 |