Originator of the First Rolling Thunder Raymond F. Manzo USMC Vietnam '68.

“Before we left for the first Rolling Thunder,” Manzo said, “I got a call from a sergeant at the Pentagon and I explained what we wanted to do. About an hour before we were to leave, he calls back and says: ‘The parking lot is yours. Just do us proud.’”
On the morning of the rally, Manzo spoke with the lieutenant in charge of the D.C. Police Motorcycle Division, which was to escort the parade. “I just explained to him why it was so important that we enter the city across the Memorial Bridge. He said to me, ‘You seem really sincere about this.’ Then he gets on his radio and says: ‘There’s been a change in the parade route. We’re coming across the bridge.’”

Crossing that bridge in 1988 were an estimated 3,000 to 5,000 bikers who’d been inspired by Manzo’s call. “It was like a natural high,” recalled Manzo. “Here’s all these people who don’t know me from Adam, who thought the ride was a worthy thing to do.”
Manzo anticipated that Rolling Thunder would be a one-shot deal. Its mission was to spur immediate action to force the U.S. government to resolve claims that American POWs were still alive in Southeast Asia. Nonetheless, with enthusiasm running high for the “Run,” Manzo agreed to lead the effort for “Rolling Thunder II” the following year.

In 1989 there was a dramatic rise in interest and riders, with more than 30,000 participants. Manzo’s idea had taken hold. “Washington was hearing us, and people were taking the issue seriously,” he said. The next three years saw the estimated number of bikers at Rolling Thunder approach 75,000.

As Rolling Thunder V came around in 1992, however, Manzo began to think time was running out for the POWs. “For me, Rolling Thunder was about getting something done immediately for the living POWs,” Manzo said. “It wasn’t something for me to do forever.”