ROLLING THUNDER® CHAPTER 1 FLORIDA
The major function of Rolling Thunder® Inc., is to publicize the POW*MIA issue. To educate the public that many American Prisoners of War were left behind after all previous wars and to help correct the past and to protect future Veterans from being left behind should they become Prisoners Of War (POW) or Missing In Action (MIA). We are also committed to helping American Veterans from all wars.
Our members donate their time and resources because they believe in the POW*MIA Issue.
To Join, simply call (321) 446-4650, or send an email to: RTFL1membership@gmail.com
To Join, simply call (321) 446-4650, or send an email to: RTFL1membership@gmail.com
From the Chapter Chaplin
I hope all had a wonderful Thanksgiving Day. Now we are continuing with our very festive time of year. Coming next at Sundown December 7th begins the seven-day, eight-night celebration of Chanukkah which celebrates two things: a miracle in which one day’s worth of oil burned in lamps for eight days and the victory of the Jewish freedom fighters over the Syrian-Greek forces that tried to wipe out Judaism.
In a larger sense, then, Chanukkah celebrates a reaffirmation of freedom and a re-commitment to the spiritual quest. December 25th, Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. The current celebration as we know it began under the Roman Emperor Constantine. He had accepted the one true God, and Jesus Christ as his Savior. The population of Rome was not converting easily. Constantine met with Christian leaders together they agreed to change the celebration of the winter solstice to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Thus began Christmas, as we now know it.
Christmas Memory
I would like to share a personal Christmas memory with all of you from when I was a Marine in Vietnam in 1968. The original unit that I had been assigned to had been almost wiped out, those who were left were assigned to different units in Vietnam. While I was traveling to my newly assigned unit, I received a ride on a convoy heading in the direction I needed to go.
When the convoy reached its destination, I got a ride from a Marine in a jeep who was headed to the 1st Division headquarters, my destination. When we arrived, I reported in and I handed my orders to a Marine who would give transportation to my unit. He asked me if I was in a hurry to get to my unit. I told him no. He asked me to stow my gear and come with him; I and Several Marines got to go to a USO show. We went to Danang and joined about a thousand others where we were treated to the Bob Hope Christmas show.
On Christmas Eve 1968, my team was assigned to set up in a large Vietnamese Cemetery. Each grave had a circular mound on top of it. We set up using these mounds as a barrier in case of a firefight. At midnight the sky lit up from red and green flares. I spent Christmas 1968 on top of a grave in Vietnam. The next week at the same grave at the same time the sky lit up proclaiming the first day of 1969. This meant I was officially a short timer (less than 90 days in Vietnam.)
Matthew 2:11
After coming into the house, they saw the Child with Mary, His mother, and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
God Bless and protect Israel.
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY CHANUKKAH
Chaplain Chip Hanson
In a larger sense, then, Chanukkah celebrates a reaffirmation of freedom and a re-commitment to the spiritual quest. December 25th, Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. The current celebration as we know it began under the Roman Emperor Constantine. He had accepted the one true God, and Jesus Christ as his Savior. The population of Rome was not converting easily. Constantine met with Christian leaders together they agreed to change the celebration of the winter solstice to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Thus began Christmas, as we now know it.
Christmas Memory
I would like to share a personal Christmas memory with all of you from when I was a Marine in Vietnam in 1968. The original unit that I had been assigned to had been almost wiped out, those who were left were assigned to different units in Vietnam. While I was traveling to my newly assigned unit, I received a ride on a convoy heading in the direction I needed to go.
When the convoy reached its destination, I got a ride from a Marine in a jeep who was headed to the 1st Division headquarters, my destination. When we arrived, I reported in and I handed my orders to a Marine who would give transportation to my unit. He asked me if I was in a hurry to get to my unit. I told him no. He asked me to stow my gear and come with him; I and Several Marines got to go to a USO show. We went to Danang and joined about a thousand others where we were treated to the Bob Hope Christmas show.
On Christmas Eve 1968, my team was assigned to set up in a large Vietnamese Cemetery. Each grave had a circular mound on top of it. We set up using these mounds as a barrier in case of a firefight. At midnight the sky lit up from red and green flares. I spent Christmas 1968 on top of a grave in Vietnam. The next week at the same grave at the same time the sky lit up proclaiming the first day of 1969. This meant I was officially a short timer (less than 90 days in Vietnam.)
Matthew 2:11
After coming into the house, they saw the Child with Mary, His mother, and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
God Bless and protect Israel.
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY CHANUKKAH
Chaplain Chip Hanson
A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT OF CHAPTER 1 FLORIDA
Yes I am a U. S. Air Force B-52G IRN Veteran., but this post is not about me. This post is to you, if you wish to help Veterans! Consider joining Rolling Thunder Florida Chapter 1 or a chapter in your area. Corporate and non-corporate donations to "Rolling Thunder Charities" supports Veterans in your area, and is a tax deductible donation. Our next meeting is at the Brevard Veterans Memorial Center next Sunday (19th) at 2 PM.
rollingthunderflorida1.org
Rolling Thunder does great work for Veterans, Veteran families and military members in need. This chapter was just recognized as the 3rd largest in the nation, and we want to be the largest! Come join us--anyone can, at just $40/year. Your membership recognizes those 80,000+ Missing in Action US service members since WWI. My family has a MIA WWII pilot, and I greatly thank this organization for reminding our US Legislators we want them all to be recovered, and come home. At this meeting a recap of a fascinating speech at our National Convention on MIA recovery by DPAA and University of Wisconsin will occur. Your invited!
Thank you
Lance Armstrong, DC
RTFL1 President
rollingthunderflorida1.org
Rolling Thunder does great work for Veterans, Veteran families and military members in need. This chapter was just recognized as the 3rd largest in the nation, and we want to be the largest! Come join us--anyone can, at just $40/year. Your membership recognizes those 80,000+ Missing in Action US service members since WWI. My family has a MIA WWII pilot, and I greatly thank this organization for reminding our US Legislators we want them all to be recovered, and come home. At this meeting a recap of a fascinating speech at our National Convention on MIA recovery by DPAA and University of Wisconsin will occur. Your invited!
Thank you
Lance Armstrong, DC
RTFL1 President
who we are:
our members:
Our membership is balanced between men and women, motorcycle riders and non-motorcycle riders, veterans and non-veterans.
All of the events we organize and attend are made possible by the efforts of our volunteer members. We are not a motorcycle club, or a veterans fraternity, and you do not need a motorcycle to become a member. Our members have a common goal - bring our missing home, and care for those veterans that need help. The services that we provide to our Veterans and their families are totally voluntary. Our members are dedicated to POW*MIA awareness and supporting those presently fighting for our freedom. All donations regardless of how large or small, whether monetary, products or services go directly to supporting the programs we provide for Veterans. |
Chapter 1 Florida participates in many veteran activities, functions, and events.
We are proud to wear our specially designed red shirts each Friday in honor and support of all of our men and women in uniform. These shirts are available in our store. Help us to Remember Everyone Deployed (R.E.D) by wearing red on Friday's. Thank you. |
It is vitally important that local municipalities honor our active duty service men and women, and protect the values of our mission to preserve the dignity of those who have suffered dramatically at the hands of an enemy as a prisoner of war (POW), and never forget those who never got the chance to come home, our missing-in-action (MIA). The POW*MIA flag is the instrument we use to inform the public at large of the suffering of our POW's, and the agony felt by the families of the missing.
It has come to our attention that a town in Connecticut has removed the POW*MIA flag from several locations within their township. We, as a Nation, need to respond to the leadership of this town, and impress upon them the importance of reversing their decision. Please click on the following link:
https://www.courant.com/2023/10/11/veterans-protest-connecticut-towns-decision-to-bar-the-pow-mia-flag-from-flying-on-town-property/?fbclid=IwAR0BN67EygiotMtuHb7Iojhab9aiyezkPQScK-sM-cMxn901YmDESYc8Z9o
It has come to our attention that a town in Connecticut has removed the POW*MIA flag from several locations within their township. We, as a Nation, need to respond to the leadership of this town, and impress upon them the importance of reversing their decision. Please click on the following link:
https://www.courant.com/2023/10/11/veterans-protest-connecticut-towns-decision-to-bar-the-pow-mia-flag-from-flying-on-town-property/?fbclid=IwAR0BN67EygiotMtuHb7Iojhab9aiyezkPQScK-sM-cMxn901YmDESYc8Z9o
open letter to Sen rick scott & congressman bill posey:
"Good morning Barry Cotton, I hope all is well.
In light of all of this, It is quite difficult to pose this question to you, to pass on to Senator Scott, but I must. As Rolling Thunder Florida Chapter 1 President, the third largest chapter in the nation, we are a national POW*MIA advocacy group.
Is there a possibility of government funding an event at the 160th anniversary of the National POW museum in Andersonville, Georgia, next year on the national POW*MIA day, the third Friday in September?
If you ever visit Facebook, “Armstrong Chiro“, you will see four Facebook reels where I filmed from this location just a couple of weeks ago. What bothered me was my buddy (Gary McClain, Rolling Thunder® Chapter 1 Florida Board of Directors member) and I were the only two there!
Comparing this to the 23rd anniversary of 9-11, where 60 minutes the night before had an opening interview that struck a chord. The FDNY member interviewed stated, “we hope this never becomes a turn the page event, we hope no one ever forgets.“ Tragically we lost 3,000 people that day and the efforts since then have more than doubled that number.
In comparison. we have over 80,000 missing in action service members. Of that group we understand about 27,000 are recoverable. Rolling Thunder® greatly appreciates all DoD recovering efforts!
There was an annual event held at the National POW museum in Andersonville on that day, years ago. It has not continued. Numerous Ex-POWs from WWII, Korea, Vietnam, and the Desert would attend and rock your bones with their stories and accounts. Caring for them during this event would be the only expense.
Warner Robins Joint Base has an incredibly beautiful museum that hosted our dinner in 2019. These heroes and immediate family would be placed in any of the numerous local hotels on Thursday of the third weekend in September, and check out Sunday. Hosting a dinner for two nights and bus transportation (approximately four) with Georgia highway patrol escort to Andersonville has occurred in the past, and summarizes the main expenses. I estimate $100,000 to cover all expenses, including those at the national park. Any money not spent would be processed at US Senator Scott’s wishes. It could be used to prepare for this next year’s annual event, or donated to these two locations is my desire. I have included US Congressman Posey from my district on this email, so both houses of legislation know my intent.
Thank you both for your service to this country. I hope you’ll pass on my inquiry, my desire to again recognize these national heroes. I’m sure you are aware of how a few remain from World War II, and how quickly they are passing, like my father two years ago.
Lance, Armstrong, DC, PAC-F
Rolling Thunder® Chapter 1 Florida President
Former US, Air Force, B-52G IRN
(321) 506 4357”
In light of all of this, It is quite difficult to pose this question to you, to pass on to Senator Scott, but I must. As Rolling Thunder Florida Chapter 1 President, the third largest chapter in the nation, we are a national POW*MIA advocacy group.
Is there a possibility of government funding an event at the 160th anniversary of the National POW museum in Andersonville, Georgia, next year on the national POW*MIA day, the third Friday in September?
If you ever visit Facebook, “Armstrong Chiro“, you will see four Facebook reels where I filmed from this location just a couple of weeks ago. What bothered me was my buddy (Gary McClain, Rolling Thunder® Chapter 1 Florida Board of Directors member) and I were the only two there!
Comparing this to the 23rd anniversary of 9-11, where 60 minutes the night before had an opening interview that struck a chord. The FDNY member interviewed stated, “we hope this never becomes a turn the page event, we hope no one ever forgets.“ Tragically we lost 3,000 people that day and the efforts since then have more than doubled that number.
In comparison. we have over 80,000 missing in action service members. Of that group we understand about 27,000 are recoverable. Rolling Thunder® greatly appreciates all DoD recovering efforts!
There was an annual event held at the National POW museum in Andersonville on that day, years ago. It has not continued. Numerous Ex-POWs from WWII, Korea, Vietnam, and the Desert would attend and rock your bones with their stories and accounts. Caring for them during this event would be the only expense.
Warner Robins Joint Base has an incredibly beautiful museum that hosted our dinner in 2019. These heroes and immediate family would be placed in any of the numerous local hotels on Thursday of the third weekend in September, and check out Sunday. Hosting a dinner for two nights and bus transportation (approximately four) with Georgia highway patrol escort to Andersonville has occurred in the past, and summarizes the main expenses. I estimate $100,000 to cover all expenses, including those at the national park. Any money not spent would be processed at US Senator Scott’s wishes. It could be used to prepare for this next year’s annual event, or donated to these two locations is my desire. I have included US Congressman Posey from my district on this email, so both houses of legislation know my intent.
Thank you both for your service to this country. I hope you’ll pass on my inquiry, my desire to again recognize these national heroes. I’m sure you are aware of how a few remain from World War II, and how quickly they are passing, like my father two years ago.
Lance, Armstrong, DC, PAC-F
Rolling Thunder® Chapter 1 Florida President
Former US, Air Force, B-52G IRN
(321) 506 4357”
We encourage everyone reading this to contact their representatives in the House and Senate to get on-board with our proposal for the government to fund the next Andersonville event. //Webmaster
If you would like to make a donation, please make your check payable to "Rolling Thunder® Inc., Chapter 1 Florida" and mail it to:
Rolling Thunder® Inc., Chapter 1 Florida 400 S Sykes Creek Pkwy Merritt Island, Florida 32952-3547 
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We call upon you to show your support of our organization. Your contribution or donation will help us achieve our goal of helping Veterans of all wars, showing our Veterans that we appreciate their sacrifice and service to our country. Your donation will also help us promote the awareness of the POW*MIA issue and to continue to demand full accountability of our prisoners of war and those still missing in action (POW*MIA). We thank you in advance for your generosity and support. We can't advance our cause without your help. Remember, your donation is tax deductible.
Thank you for visiting the Rolling Thunder® Inc., Chapter 1 Florida website. There are many things to discover on this site, and we continue to update it on a regular basis.
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