Lt Ken Ballard, my hero! Rolling Thunder

Since 1988, Rolling Thunder®, Inc. has organized motorcycle rides and demonstrations to call attention to and attempt to remedy this situation. This year, Rolling Thunder® XVIII is featuring Operation Carry the Flame™ IV in conjunction with The American Gold Star Mothers, Blue Star Mothers of America and The Vietnam Women's Memorial Project. Once again this year motorcycle riders will take a torch from the deck of the carrier USS Hornet berthed now as a museum in Alameda, CA to Washington, DC with 15 stops along the way.

The ride is a tribute to veterans, and so much more. The Olympic style torch is lit with military precision and ceremony at each stop and at the Candlelight Vigil held every year at The Wall on the Friday before Memorial Day in honor of all those fallen; POW/MIAs; and the sacrifices American families have made and still make sending their loved ones into harm's way.