If you would like more information about our organization, or you would like to make a presentation to the membership, please let us know at: (321) 446-4650, or you can simply fill out the contact form from the "Contact" tab above.

You do not need to ride a motorcycle to be a Member of our organization. Our membership is balanced between men and women, riders and non-riders, veterans and non-veterans. All that is required is a commitment to honor our veterans, past and present, and promote our cause of bringing home the 40,000+ still missing from previous wars and conflicts on foreign soil, defending our freedoms.

You've read or heard that the number of missing is in the 80,000 range, and that is true ... however, it is estimated that nearly 40,000 will never be returned because of burials and disasters at sea involving Navy, Marine, Air Force, Coast Guard, and Army POW's.

We do what we can to keep their sacrifices at the core of our mission. They should never be forgotten!

event photos

All of the photos published here come from a variety of sources, including uploads from members, social media, or availability in the public domain.

The quality of the images is determined by the source of the photos. 

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Our first meeting of 2025, January 26th, member Phillip Schmitz (L) receives his Boot Patch from Chapter president Dr. Lance Armstrong.
First Annual Space Coast Stadium "Salute to Service
"Know all the veteran community members who participated today in, and who will see the event via  follow up media,  the First Annual Space Coast Stadium  “Salute to Service” , will join me in thanking the USSSA team led by Bob Grey.  We also appreciate the great involvement of Sheriff Ivey’s BCSO and all First Responders.  They may have lost the opening game to the Patrick Space Force Base experienced team, but their role in the opening ceremonies, flyover, bagpipes and much more won the day!
 
Many great comments from fans, the 20 teams from around the country gathering for the four day tournament and others were passed to Bob Grey and many organizers , including me.   USSSA estimated 1500 there for the opening ceremony in weather that was great after a tough week.

MOTORCYCLES:  Rolling Thunder FL-1 and Combat Vets 20-1 did a great job and made a huge impact.   
GOLOR GUARDS:  Our Theme of History (Sons of the American Revolution  - SAR); Present Day Veterans (Marine Corps League) and the Future (Viera HS Army JROTC Color guard and 25 cadets in support) worked and brought a huge cheer.  
 
NATIONAL ANTHEM:   Great job Delinda Griffis.   Glad you brought your mom.  
 
VENDORS:   Great turnout.  Sorry not many customers.  Next years plan already in the  works to come early, position better and close down for the ceremony and first game.  
 
FIRST PITCHERS:  Though we were all outclassed by SMsgt Bottoms from PSFB,  the catcher did not miss any pitches even those with bounces. Thanks to Sheriff Ivey for asking me to represent the veteran community and bounce his first pitch.  
 
So, thank you!!!
 
This is expected to become and annual event, but clearly pretty good for the first time.  Wait until next year!!
 
Warm regards,
 
Donn" (Weaver)
November General Meeting - Veterans Memorial Center Library / Museum
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At our November Chapter meeting our new secretary Carol Michaels was sworn in. Chapter president Dr. Lance Armstrong administering the oath of office.
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At our monthly meeting on November 17th., our member Ruth Jones received her boot Patch. Please join FL1 in congratulating Ruth. Pictured (L-R) Gary McClain, (VP), Ruth, Dr. Lance Armstrong (President).
Short video of the Chapter escorting the Wreaths Across America Trucks to Cape Canaveral National Cemetery:
https://www.facebook.com/reel/1273641947394530/?s=single_unit&__cft__[0]=AZXwP92lpZtSLcPT91xsvlIyQduiBGBKTf0n35LGiRVc7t4vv9QwJO2mFJTS46_S_x76d76J-OmYShTP3JGjOApv3nHkEaC23_0RGgCzapiAfCbOQwqopZbCg4kdy52tncVRYLqr3Kt4TWN_4T8Hy8q2nCRYsoZIYxt9XME8UjAJZux9FwUUVje01RPGyPhrR6Q

At Florida 1's annual Christmas dinner, members Charles Grochowski (R) and Robert Wells (L) were presented their Rocker and Eagle patches. Vice President, Gary McClain (C) presents the patches. Please join us in congratulating them for earning their patches.
At today's membership meeting (10/27/24) Chapter 1's new officers were administered the oath of office.

(L-R) New Vice President, Gary McClain, current President, Dr. Lance Armstrong (administering the oath), New Treasurer, Steve Fritz, and New Chairman of the Board, Jesse Justice.

Please join us in congratulating our new officers.
Chapter 1 Florida President Lance Armstrong, and VP Gary McClain were in Daytona, for 2024 BIKETOBER FEST, over the weekend to promote Rolling Thunder. We handed out 400 fliers so people could go on line to see What Rolling Thunder is all about. We also presented plaques of appreciation to Froggy's Saloon and Boot Hill Saloon for their continuing support of our Veterans and Rolling Thunders Mission.

"UNTIL THEY ALL COME HOME".
Rolling Thunder Florida Chapter 1 had a great dinner tonight and presented a plaque in appreciation to Fishlips Waterfront Bar & Grill for supporting our cause for many years!

Thank you to the management, ownership, and incredible staff for all you have done to assist our cause. If you’re looking for one of the most outstanding places in Florida to enjoy a great dinner, beverages, incredible sports on approximately 40 TVs, wave goodbye to cruise ships or watch rockets launch, this is the place. Many employees are veterans including our server tonight, 25 years in the US Marines. Thank you for your service tonight and to the US military.

Thank you Mike, Rich (USCG Veteran) for all you do to help us. Please remember we have over 80,000 Missing in Action US military service members since World War I including my relative, Lieutenant Wallace P. Currie, who took off over Italy on 22 January 44 and never returned.

“Untill they all come home.”
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FL Chapter 1 delivered a replacement POW*MIA flag to another Brevard County School. The student safety patrol at Coquina Elementary in Titusville, FL, attached and raised the new flag. Board Member Walt Marshall assisting.
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Florida Chapter 1 delivered a replacement POW*MIA flag to Freedom 7 Elementary school in Cocoa Beach, FL. Board Member Walt Marshall assisting,
National POW*MIA Recognition Day, Robins AFB, Georgia
Members from several Florida Rolling Thunder® Chapters attended the POW*MIA Recognition Day Ceremony held annually at Robins AFB is Georgia. The following photo's, courtesy of  Chapter 1's Tom Tally, were taken Friday, the 20th of September, at the Aviation Museum at Robins.
POW*MIA Chair Of Honor Unveiled At Veterans Memorial Center Plaza
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Walt Marshall, RTFL1 (L) and Donn Weaver, VMC (R)
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Unveiling by Walt Marshal, assisted by Billy VanDoren, with VMC Honor Guard
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Billy VanDoren
Photo's courtesy of Anna Stewart
The family of United States Marine Corporal Daniel James Norton requested Florida Chapter 1 provide an escort of his cremains
from their home to Cape Canaveral National Cemetery
Veterans Memorial Center Plaza - Home Of New POW*MIA Chair of Honor
Today, Friday, August 9, 2024, the Rolling Thunder Florida Chapter 1 Chair of Honor was installed by Real Stone and Granite on the grounds of the Veterans Memorial Center (VMC), Sykes Creek, Merritt Island. A date for the unveiling will be determined later.
It took 30 years, but finally, Brevard County has a new Middle School!
On July 30th, with over 250 people in attendance, Brevard County held it's grand opening of Viera Middle School. The Veterans Memorial Center in Merritt Island provided the color guard as well as 20 members of Chapter 1 Florida in raising the National Ensign and the POW*MIA flag. Two years ago Chapter 1 provided and raised a POW*MIA flag at every school in the County - 86 in total.

Congratulations Brevard County School Board, the VMC, and Chapter 1 Florida for a magnificent ceremony.
Images from the Zachary M Martin Memorial Run
Photos courtesy of Tom Tally
Memorial Day Events
Memorial Day Ride For Freedom is now in the record books. Many thanks and much appreciation to Chapter 6 for hosting this awesome event. They certainly put on a fantastic event. One of may video's: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7U40EksdSM
Mike Erdman  Automotive Memorial Day event: https://www.facebook.com/SpaceCoastDaily/videos/851982370281307

https://www.facebook.com/reel/432960592783043 from AVET Project, Inc.
Photos courtesy of Lance Armstrong, President Chapter 1, taken Friday 5/24/24 at Florida State Ride For Freedom XXXVI Mid Florida, Port St. Lucie
The Chapter participates in the Wreath Laying Ceremony at the
Vietnam and All Veterans of Brevard Reunion at the Wall.

World War II  U.S. Army Air Force Staff Sgt. Franklin P. Hall - MIA -
finally found and rendered full military honors

Photos and video provided by Rolling Thunder® Chapter 1 Florida President, Lance Armstrong
The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) announced that U.S. Army Air Force Staff Sgt. Franklin P. Hall, 21, of Leesburg, Florida, killed during World War II, was accounted for July 13, 2023.

In January 1944, Hall was assigned to the 66th Bombardment Squadron, 44th Bombardment Group (Heavy) in the European Theater. On Jan. 21, Hall, a left waist gunner on board a B-24D Liberator Queen Marlene, was killed in action when his plane was attacked by German air forces near Équennes-Éramecourt, France. German forces quickly found the crash site and recovered nine sets of remains, which were then interred them in the French cemetery at Poix-de-Picardie. Hall’s remains were not accounted for after the war.

Beginning in 1945, the American Graves Registration Command (AGRC), the organization that searched for and recovered fallen American personnel in the European Theater, searched the area around Équennes-Éramecourt. None of the investigations uncovered any leads regarding the disposition of Hall’s remains. He was declared non-recoverable on March 01, 1951.
DPAA historians have been conducting on-going research into Soldiers missing from combat around Équennes-Éramecourt and found that X-391 St. Andre (X-391) and X-393 St. Andre (X-393), buried in Normandy American Cemetery, an American Battle Monuments Commission site, could be associated with Hall. X-391 and X-393 were disinterred in April 2018 and transferred to the DPAA Laboratory for analysis where it was later determined the remains of X-393 belonged to Hall.

To identify Hall’s remains, scientists from DPAA used anthropological analysis. Additionally, scientists from the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System used mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and Y-chromosome DNA  (Y-STR) analysis.

Hall’s name is recorded on the Tablets of the Missing at Ardennes American Cemetery, France, along with others still missing from WWII. A rosette will be placed next to his name to indicate he has been accounted for.
Hall was buried at Lone Oak Cemetery in Leesburg, Florida, on Sunday, January 21st, 2024.

For family and funeral information, contact the Army Casualty Office at (800) 892-2490.

For additional information on the Defense Department’s mission to account for Americans who went missing while serving our country, visit the DPAA website at www.dpaa.mil or find us on social media at www.facebook.com/dodpaa or https://www.linkedin.com/company/defense-pow-mia-accounting-agency.
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