Rolling Thunder® Inc. National Conference was held November 6th & 7th, 2015 at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City, Virginia.

Rolling Thunder®, Inc. Mission Statement

Our major function is to publicize the POW/MIA Issue. To educate the public of the fact that many American prisoners of war were left behind after all past wars. To help correct the past and to protect the future veterans from being left behind should they become Prisoners Of War / Missing In Action. We are committed to helping American veterans from all wars.

Rolling Thunder®, Inc. is a non-profit organization; each and every individual donates his or her time because they believe in the issue at hand.

Rolling Thunder President Joe Bean tells members want will be covered over the next two days.

Rolling Thunder National Chairman of Government Affairs Edward “Scooby” Rutledge explains how to approach their legislative members on visit to Capitol Hill.

Ed “Scooby” Rutledge and Gus Dante (Rolling Thunder Board of Directors) explaining that the primary bills/resolutions that we are concentrating on are: S-885/H.R. 1670 the National POW-MIA Remembrance Act of 2015 and S-901/H.R. 1769 the Toxic Exposure Research Act of 2015.

Live Prisoners of War – Our most important issue: Are the men who were left behind alive after all past wars? Research teams still search for bones but nothing is being done to resolve what happened to those left behind alive! Although, talks have ceased at this time . . . What are we doing to bring our American POW-MIA's home?

There were Capitol Hill visits, speakers and meetings held on Friday, November 6th, the National Conference was held on Saturday, November 7th. This full working day will be followed by dinner. It was a busy and informative weekend for our State chapters and also for National since they were conducting and hosting the weekend activities.

The primary bills/resolutions that we are concentrating on are: S-885/H.R. 1670 the National POW-MIA Remembrance Act of 2015 and S-901/H.R. 1769 the Toxic Exposure Research Act of 2015.

POW-MIA Flag at the White House: Why is the POW-MIA flag not flying 365 days a year over the White House as it has in previous administrations? This is Not an acceptable practice.

Always remember our Troops serving, those who have borne the battle and those that gave their lives for us so we can live Free!!!

PA Chapter 8 members meet with Darrell Owens (National Security Advisor & Military Legislative Assistant) to Senator Pat Toomey.

SD Chapter 2 members meet with Senator Mike Rounds people.

Rolling Thunder Secretary Elaine Martin show off another version of the POW-MIA National Chair of Honor.

Elaine also had info packets on how National approaches, gets Chairs placed.

Various Chapter members spoke of the Chairs of Honor placed by their respective Chapter.

Rolling Thunder Executive Director Artie Muller said there are several other pieces of legislation we must focus our attention on: S. 207, S. 374, S. 681, H.R. 517, H.R. 572, H.R. 577, H.R. 763, H.R. 941, and H.R. 969.

Beirut Gold Star Mother Judith Young (Chairman of the Gold Star Mothers National Monument Foundation)
spoke of support needed for the place in Arlington National Cemetery they wish to place this monument.

http://www.gsmmonument.org/index.htm

VVA POW-MIA Affairs: Grant T. Coates, Vice Chair

VVA Rick Weidman spoke about the Agent Orange/Dioxin and Other Toxic Exposures Committee

S-901/H.R. 1769 the Toxic Exposure Research Act of 2015.

Gold Star Father Dave Lalush and Judith Young discuss the Gold Star Mothers National Monument Foundation project.

J.B Reynolds Jr. ( VP Chapter 5 KY ) told his version of how Francis Scott Key wrote the Star Spangled Banner.

The POW-MIA National Chair of Honor.

Saturday's Conference meeting started off with a Salute to our Flag, moment of silence, Invocation/Opening Prayer and our Mission Statement

National Chaplain Tom “Big Daddy” Ransdell leads us in prayer.

Rolling Thunder Chairman of the Board Ted Zabohonski reads our Mission Statement.

Last years minutes are read by the Secretary.

“Missing Man” Ceremony

Cheryl Penn, Chapter 6 NC reads bios of “still missing” servicemen.

Gold Star Mother Brenda Shelton, proud Mother of Air Force Senior Airman Benjamin D. White KIA Afghanistan on June 9, 2010, holding the 'Flame of Freedom'.

Bob Penn, Chapter 6 NC takes the 'Flame of Freedom' over to the “Missing Man” table to light the candle.

Gold Star Mother Brenda Shelton is a member of Rolling Thunder Chapter 4 TN

Rolling Thunder President Joe Bean fills in for our ill parliamentarian Michael DePaulo

There were a number of discussions, topics included National Issues, Rolling Thunder® Inc. XXVIII, 2015 and XXIV, 2016 Runs, Chapter Reports, National Government/Veterans Affairs and the placement of “POW-MIA Chairs”.

Rolling Thunder Board of Directors member Tom McAtee speaks about a “in honor of” patch he wears.

It was mutually decide that no profanity patches should be worn on any Rolling Thunder® vest.

Rolling Thunder Vice President Tom D'Alessio addresses the membership.

Rolling Thunder Media & Public Relations person Nancy Regg talks about the press coverage received concerning Rolling Thunder® Inc. “Demonstration Ride For Freedom” XXVIII / 2015.

Vietnam Veterans of America POW-MIA Affairs: Grant T. Coates, Vice Chair

Rolling Thunder Vice President Tom D'Alessio