Rolling Thunder® Inc. Florida Chapter 1
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Rolling Thunder® Inc. Florida Chapter 1

event photos

Tip: click on picture for full view/slideshow

As the sun was setting on this beautiful mid December evening, Rolling Thunder® Florida Chapter 1 raised the POW*MIA flag at the Brevard County Public Schools District office. Our goal in cooperation with the School Board, is to raise this flag at each of the nearly 68 Brevard County Public Schools. We thank the Military Officers Good Deeds Foundation for their donation to help defray the costs of the flags. We also thank the County Schools Superintendent and the BPS staff for their support. And lastly, a big thank you to Tim Shortt of Florida Today for contributing several photos. This was our last event of 2020.

If you would like to make a donation towards the purchase of flags, we could use your help. These flags we are giving away free, are not free to us, in fact they are very expensive. So, please just click on the the 'Donate" button. Thank you,

Family members of a fallen veteran asked the Chapter to escort their hero to the local National Cemetery.
Of course we did - and honored to do so.


On a bright and sunny day, Florida Chapter 1 proudly raised the POW*MIA flag at Rockledge Regional Medical Center.
Amanda Herrnkind of St. Francis Reflections arranged the flag raising and the veteran pinning that followed.

Florida Chapter 1 was honored to be invited and to extend Certificates of Appreciation
to Veterans at a local Adult Day Care facility.
Pastor Torres of Veterans Church attended with us.
*All participants were screened by the facility prior to the event.

 Florida Chapter 1 escorts Amanda Herrnkind, member, and St. Francis Reflections Media representative,
during the last leg of her Marine Corps Challenge 26.2 mile marathon.
 She was accompanied by a local Chapter of Young Marines.

Florida Chapter 1 says farewell to member and friend, Tom Mann,
as we escort him and his family to Cape Canaveral National Cemetery.

Photo's courtesy of professional photographer Nick Gehlman
www.nickgehlman.com



9/11 Remembrance Day
Veterans Memorial Center


INDEPENDENCE DAY 2020 'STATIC' PARADE
CO-SPONSORED BY THE
BREVARD COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE AND VETERANS MEMORIAL CENTER
Photos courtesy of Florida Today and Rolling Thunder® Florida Chapter 1


immortal 4 chaplains ceremony

The Chapter participates in the annual 4 Chaplain's ceremony at the Veterans Memorial Center. The story of these four amazing men can be found at www.fourchaplains.org/the-saga-of-the-four-chaplains/
Member Donn Weaver - member - Gold Star Father, and Chapter Chaplin Chip Hanson address guests
Member Jeannie Weaver - Gold Star Mother - Master of Ceremonies
Chaplin Chip Hanson places life preserver on cross
Member "Rabbi" David Fern places life preserver on Star of David
Entertainer Delinda Griffis of Lonnie & Delinda Band sings Amazing Grace

missing man table dedication

The Chapter dedicated a Missing Man Table display at the Cape Canaveral National Cemetery. We are grateful for this opportunity to share our mission with the many veteran families who come to visit or prepare a family member for burial on this sacred ground.

Each member present was presented an item to set up the table. Member and Cemetery volunteer Marylou Wade presented the items.
Billy VanDoren - Board of Directors
Tommy Hembree - Road Captain
Joan Sheline - Vice President
Cindy Flowers - Board of Directors
Ira Weinstock
Dan Sheline
John Juliano
Kathleen Collins
Dee Ann Miller
Tommy Clayton - Road Captain
Dan Moore
Mike Schulz - Secretary
Jim "JJ" Justice - President
Dreama Justice - Photographer
Chapter and guests
Chapter with Don Murphy - Director of Operations, Cape Canaveral National Cemetery

escort of ww ii army veteran

Member and local chiropractor Lance and his wife Dena Armstrong requested the Chapter escort his cousin Clark Armstrong and his family to the Cape Canaveral National Cemetery. We were honored and privileged to do so. We were also joined by American Legion Riders, and Patriot Guard Riders stood a flag line.
Dee Ann Miller, Flo walter and rabbi david fern
billy vandoren, david williams, and 'turtle' tommy clayton
lower left shirley mc cain, far right dena armstrong
"JJ" meeting Lance's father, a WW II Navy Veteran
David fern and joe capraro
gathering at lowe's in titusville
one of only a few shade trees
left to right - kim schulze, flo walter, dena armstrong, mike schulze, tommy hembree, gary mc clain, JJ justice
Lance armstrong prior to briefing
Kim schulze
Legion Riders
armstrong family and friends
kim schulze, dee ann miller, cindy flowers
patriot guard riders
Chapter president "JJ" justice
Chairman of the board bob ericson and lance armstrong
Taps
Military honors
dena and lance
presentation of flag to clark armstrong's father
final prayer and farewell
paying our respects

Recent Flag Raising
September 20, 2019 - The Chapter was honored to raise the POW flag at the Veterans Real Estate of Brevard office in Cocoa Beach. If you have a real estate need, give them a call and tell them Rolling Thunder sent you.
Cheri white with bob ericson
bob ericson is assisted by rich bolognini and jerry lipson
jj justice with joe jeppi, ira weinstock and vice president joan sheline
Also on September 20th we were invited to raise a POW flag and Brevard County Rescue Station #42 in Merritt Island.
rabbi david fern taking it all in
Waiting for the rest of us to arrive - with Dreama justice
Our pledge of allegiance
President JJ Justice presents the flag
A passing motorist gave us a salute with their horn
Come on Charlie - photo op

The Ride Home 2019
Several members attended The Ride Home in Warner Robins Georgia, and Andersonville, during the National POW/MIA weekend. New friendships were born, and a deeper appreciation of the sacrifices our POW's made during wartime. For more information about The Ride Home, click on this link.
Photo op before leaving
Road Captain Lance Armstrong making sure everyone is ready
Being goofy
Member Cindy Flowers helps install panels from the traveling Vietnam Memorial wall
In the center of this panel is member Marylou Wade's brother Herbert C Crosby
Making friends with 92 year old former POW
Member and POW spouse Flo Walter with another POW whom she has known for over a decade, Ed Demente

September 11th Commemoration Ceremony
The Veterans Memorial Center, in conjunction with the Brevard Veterans Council, hosted an event to pay tribute to and remembrance of those innocents who were murdered by Islamic terrorists on September 11, 2001. Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey was one of the keynote speaker and what he had to say brought the audience to a standing ovation. Chapter 1 and riders from several veteran motorcycle groups joined us for a BCSO escort to the Veterans Memorial Center.
Chapter 1 member gather before BCSO lead procession
Member Peter Puzzo - former NYFD Chief
In the lead trike, POW spouse Flo Walter - Chapter 1 member
Pentagon survivor tells her story

National Purple Heart Day
The Space Coast Chapter of the Military Order of the Purple Heart hosted a wreath and brick laying ceremony at the Veterans Memorial Center on Merritt Island. Chapter 1 members assembled at an abandoned food market before the event.
Marylou Wade (L) and Vice President Joan Sheline
"Rabbi" David Fern
Director Dave Richards (L) Alt Director Flo Walter
Dee Ann Miller
"Selfie by Cindy"

Fallen Hero's Escort
The Commander of VFW Post 4643 requested a motorcycle funeral escort to Cape Canaveral National Cemetery for one of the post’s members SSG Bruce Clark, U.S. Army, with no known family. We staged at the funeral home and escorted this hero home.
President "JJ" Justice (L) Chaplin Chip Hanson

Presentation of long lost footlocker
In the summer of 2001, Alyce LaGasse  of Vancouver WA, was at a garage sale when she came upon a WW II military footlocker with the owners name and rank stenciled on the side. Failing to locate any family member after exhaustive searches, she put the footlocker in storage. The entire story is featured in the August edition of The Mission Newsletter.

The footlocker was presented to family members by American Legion Post 200 Commander, and Rolling Thunder Florida 1 member, Ty Barker. The Chapter was pleased to be present at this special event.
 

Escorting one of our own
The Chapter was honored by escorting one of our own hero's home. The family and friends of Lloyd Camp, together with the Chapter, enjoyed a luncheon in remembrance. Member's Patrick and Colleen Ward hosted the event at their property on Merritt Island, and Member Mike Schulze and his wife Kim prepared the catered food and drinks.
Friend of the family - Cape Canaveral Commissioner's first time on a motorcycle
Theresa Camp - Honorary Member of the Chapter
Colleen Ward (L) and Kim Schulze (R)

2019 Fourth of July Parade

After a 20 year hiatus, the Brevard County (FL) Sheriff's Office and the Veterans Memorial Center present this years
4th of July parade. Florida Chapter 1 was honored to have been a part of the celebration.
Photo credits individual members, Florida Today, Roger Scruggs

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Thank you Sheriff Ivey and all of your officers and staff for all you do for the community! And especially for our veterans.

Also thank you Veterans Memorial Center for hosting the after parade party, and all of the vendors and volunteers who made this an extremely successful day.



2019 Rolling Thunder XXXII "Ride For Freedom"
Some estimates say the number of vehicles that participated in this year's ride were in the range of 1.2 - 1.5 million,
then add another 25% or so for additional riders. That's a hoard of motorcycles and people!
But, will it be the last? Who knows ...
Photo credits to individual members, Patrick Hughes, Jennifer Berry, and other social media sites
Massive storm hits Arlington
Damage done to large oaks
Exactly 1 "foot"
Staging Chapter's 1, 6 and guests
Briefing
Blessing of the bikes
Photo op before leaving
And they're off - JJ leading
Hyatt under ground parking
Group on Friday
Visiting Arlington National
Member visiting brother's grave
Newlyweds
USAF Retired
Former State Liaison and Chapter member
Member and civilian DOD Vietnam Vet - AFRTS
Newlyweds ... again
Marylou and Cindy
New day, new shirts
Group with Senator Bob Dole
And again ...
Marylou with Senator Dole
Actor Robert Patrick with Reggie Lloyd
Senator Dole never misses an Honor Flight welcome
POW Spouse and member Flo with Senator Dole
First Rolling Thunder as Mr & Mrs
At the Wall early
Gold Star Mother's lead procession for Candlelight Vigil
Invocation
Executive Director Artie Muller
Robert Patrick, Terminator 2: Day of Judgement
Ride formation - EARLY
Guest Rick Fida (in red shirt, vest)
In good hands
Traffic jam getting to the Pentagon
Very early arrivals
Filling up
A sea of men and machines
Thank you FD for heat relief
Barely visible - the Pentagon
Paying tribute to the 'Saluting Marine" Tim Chambers
Presenting Colors - stage at the Reflecting Pool
Artie Muller
National President Joe Bean

Vietnam and All Brevard County Veterans Reunion
and our May 2019 Membership Meeting

Chapter 1 hosted a tent at the Reunion, and later held it's membership meeting at a pavilion at the Traveling Wall.
We also conducted a Missing Man Table Ceremony
Walt Marshall, Patrick Ward, Rich Bolognini, Colleen Ward
Candles - Joan Sheline, Barbara Morris; Army - Mike Schulze; Navy - Bob Ericson; Marine Corp - Tommy Claton; Air Force - Mike Bowers; Coast Guard - Cindy Flowers; Civilian - Patrick Ward. Lead by President Jim (JJ) Justice
VP Joan Sheline - Rob Medina (Rep Posey's office) - Chairman of the Board Bob Ericson
Joe Jeppi, Flo Walter, Bobbie Keith, Bev Puzzo
Dorothy Walsh - coordinated today's event
Members of Vietnam Unforgettable Memories Foundation and Dorothy Walsh, Ladies Aux Post 344 receive Honorary Membership
Our new 'Honorary' Chapter 1 members
Peter 'The Pooze' Puzzo donates his personal tip money to the Chapter
Navy nurse (guest) addressing the Chapter
Ira Weinstock receives his Eagle & Rocker, and Robyn Barker her Boot Patch
Vietnam Unforgettable Memories Foundation
Keynote Speaker - Col. Danny McKnight
Patriot Guard Riders stood a flag line. Joan Sheline, Barbara Morris, Mike Schulze
Rifle Team

2019 Wreath Laying Ceremony - Vietnam Traveling Wall Memorial
at Wickham Park in Melbourne, FL

The next day was the Wreath Laying Ceremony and the official beginning of the Vietnam and All Veterans Reunion. The Chapter will have a tent in vendors row beginning Friday May 10th, so come by and say hello.

We will also be presenting the Missing Man Table ceremony at 1:00 PM on Saturday, May 11th at the Wall.
Who's missing ?
Members from VFW Post 4206
Members from VFW 4206
Of course there's always some chatting going on ...
President & Vice President lead the way
Presenting our POW/MIA wreath and Gold Star Families wreath
Chapter 5 member "Spyder" and his wife

2019 Traveling Vietnam Memorial Wall Escort
The Chapter was joined by members of Chapter's 3,5,6 & 8 to escort the Vietnam Moving Wall
from Eastern State College in Cocoa to Wickham Park in Melbourne.

Photo credits to Erika Reece who so graciously provided the pictures.
Florida Rolling Thunder members - Chapters 1, 3, 5, 6, and 8
Patrick & Colleen Ward
Tommy Hembree
Tommy's grandson - wearing Tommy's uniform
Walt Marshall
John Juliano
Mike & Grace Bowers, Tommy Clayton
Ditto
Ira Weinstock, and the rear end of Bob Ericson's trike
Rich Bolognini, Ty Barker
Rich, Mike Bianco, Ukn
Marylou Wade, Charlie Donovan
Walt Marshall, Unk
Mike Schulze
JJ Justice
Larry & Barbara Morris
Chapter ?? rider
Jerry Lipson

2019 JROTC Scholarship Presentations
Each calendar year, Rolling Thunder® Inc. Florida Chapter 1, and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4206 award joint scholarships to senior high school JROTC students who complete an application and submit it for consideration. Every high school in Brevard County who has a JROTC program is sent an application package at the beginning of the year. We award two scholarships, worth $750 each, in memory of two former Chapter 1 POW's.

The 2019 winners of these scholarships are: Cadet Fernando A. Barros Muchado, Jr. from Merritt Island High School, and Cadet Sean Verner from Cocoa Beach Jr/Sr High School. Due to technical difficulties, we are not able to post pictures from the Merritt Island High School presentation. The pictures below are from the Cocoa Beach High School presentation.
Tommy Hembree, Bob Ericson, Cindy Flowers, JJ Justice, Grace Bowers, Charlie Donovan, Mike Bowers
Chapter 1 President - VFW Post 4206 Commander
Member Carl Miller presents the Order of the Purple Heart award
Can we have a moment of silence?
Cadet Sean Verner

2019 Son's of the American Revolution Presentation of the
Last Naval Battle of the Revolutionary War

The Chapter was honored to have participated in the massing of the colors at an event sponsored by the
Son's of the American Revolution commemorating the last naval battle of the Revolutionary War.
The Veterans Memorial Center hosted the event on March 9th.
BTW - this battle was just off our coast.
IRA Weinstock, Lance Armstrong
Bob Ericson
Lance Armstrong, Bob Ericson, Ira Weinstock, Jerry Lipson, Mike Schulze, JJ Justice, John Juliano, Denny Wilcox

2019 Four Immortal Chaplin's Ceremony
Veterans Memorial Center

The Chapter was honored to be part of the Four Immortal Chaplin's Ceremony at the Veterans Memorial Center on
February 3rd. A big thank you to Darcy Otranto for many of these photos.
Ty Barker, Bob Ericson, Robyn Barker, JJ Justice, Kim Schulze, Joan Juliano, Rick Vincent, Dee Ann Miller, Tommy Clayton, Walt Marshall, Cindy Flowers, Ira Weinstock, Jerry Lipson, Dave Richards, Billy Van Doren, Denny Wilcox, Joe Jeppi
Tommy Clayton - directing traffic
Chaplin "Chip" Hanson
Center - Member and Gold Star Mother, Jeannie Weaver
Ty Barker, Billy Van Doren, Mike & Kim Schulze
Walt Marshall, Bob Ericson (with Flo Walter), JJ Justice
Denny Wilcox

Missing In America Project - Call to Honor
Cape Canaveral National Cemetery

Chapter 1 participates in the escort of cremains for the Missing In America Project (MIAP) Call To Honor #18
at Cape Canaveral National Cemetery on February 2nd.

Key Lime Pie Festival
Veterans Memorial Park

The Chapter holds its first 2019 fundraiser at the 2nd annual Key Lime Festival at the
Veterans Memorial Park on Merritt Island on Sunday January 19th.

Wreaths Across America
Cape Canaveral National Cemetery

Rolling Thunder Florida Chapter 1 joins several other volunteer groups to remove wreaths from veterans graves.
These were the donated wreaths placed in December by Wreaths Across America volunteers.
Florida Chapter 1 donated $1,000 towards this event.
Rich Bolognini
Kim Schulze
"JJ" Justice
Tommy Clayton
Mike Bowers
Bob Ericson
Steve Fritz
DONE

Thanks to Rolling Thunder Florida Chapters, children in Bay County (Panama City) will have a happier Christmas thanks to the Chapters donating over $3,500 worth of toys to those who lost so much during hurricane Michael.
Thanks to all the Chapters, especially Chapter 5 for organizing this giving event.

Members of Chapter 1 purchase $1,000 worth of toys for the children of Panama City affected by Hurricane Michael
Dee Whitfeld (L), Jim Weatley (C), JJ Justice (R)
L>R: Mike Bianco, Cindy Flowers, JJ Justice,Grace Bowers, Jim Weatley, Dee Ann Miller, Tommy Clayton, Dee Whittfeld, Bob Ericson

Volunteers from the Patriot Guard Riders, American Legion Riders, Rolling Thunder Florida Chapter 1 and other organizations participate in a Missing in America Project (MIAP) ceremony at Cape Canaveral National Cemetery.
Mike and Grace Bowers
Ira Weinstock
Cindy Flowers (L), Diane Luzier (R)
Bob Ericson, Grace Bowers, Mike Bowers
Cindy Flowers, Joan Sheline (R - Blue)
Dan Sheline
Donn Weaver (L), Chapter Chaplin Chip Hanson (C-R)
Gold Star Father, Chapter 1 member, and Veterans Memorial Center Activities Director, Donn Weaver
Patriot Guard Riders
Chapter Chairman of the Board, Bob Ericson
Member Bill Johnson
Dan Sheline
Chaplin Chip Hanson
Board Member Cindy Flowers
Chapter Secretary, Mike Schulze
PGR

 While attending a committal ceremony at Jacksonville National Cemetery, we were fortunate and honored to pay tribute to the grave of Mrs. Mary Hoff - a woman instrumental in the development of the POW/MIA flag.
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Billy, Bob, JJ, David, Cindy, Joey
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Rolling Thunder® Inc. Florida Chapter 1 is an all volunteer 501(c)(4) organization
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