Rolling Thunder Story

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Membership in Rolling Thunder®, Inc. is open to anyone with an interest in the causes for which we stand “Educating the public regarding the Prisoner of War-Missing In Action (POW-MIA) issue and Helping veterans of all wars regardless of race, color, creed or sex. All persons must be 18 years of age or older.

A “Junior Membership” program is available.

Membership Requirements
Every member must abide by the constitution and by-laws of Rolling Thunder®, Inc. National.

A new member must attend 3 meetings or sanctioned events, or a combination thereof, during the 120–day membership trial period to become a full member. Anyone who joins and does not meet his/her obligation will not be a member in good standing and may be considered for termination from this organization.

All members (excluding junior members) will receive a Rolling Thunder®, Inc. membership State Boot patch (from the chapter) when they become a full member at the end of a 120 – day trial period. During the 120 – day trial period, a member must attend three meetings and or events and must demonstrate loyalty and be courteous and respectful and display no conduct which will project adversities to the organization.

If a member meets his/her obligations before the 120 day period, they are entitled to receive their Boot patch, provided they meet all other (loyalty and conduct) requirements. (Approval from National is required.)

After a member completes his/her first year (from the day they receive their boot patch) as a member in good standing they then will be eligible to be issued the Eagle & Rocker back patch. (Effective 10/01/01)

To be a member in good standing one must attend no less than 3 meetings and 3 events per year. If attending meetings or events because of work conflicts special conditions will apply. “Special conditions” one must donate time to help in other ways, such as: organize a run, parade, fund-raiser, demonstration, and/or speak at schools etc. Special conditions will be coordinated with the chapter officers.

Members in the Military may be excused from meetings and events only when they are on official or active duty, i.e., TAD, TDY, deployed or under PCS orders. At all other times, Military members must attend meetings and events.

If deployed, they will remain a member of the Chapter they joined until they return or transfer to another chapter.

Military Veteran Members:
Any Rolling Thunder® member who is a United States Military Veteran is required to provide to their chapter a copy of his/her DD-214 (notice of separation). The DD-214 will be kept on file with the Chapter for the duration of their membership. In case of a transfer between Chapters, it will be sent to the new Chapter. The Chapter will supply a copy of the DD-214 to the family only. Any United States military veteran who does not turn over a copy of his/her DD-214 to their Chapter will not be permitted to display any pins or patches on their Rolling Thunder vest or jacket indicating that he/she is a veteran. The pins/patches are to include, but are not limited to, military awards, decorations, unit patches and armed forces insignia. Non-veteran members may not display aforementioned medals, ribbons, military awards, pins, and or patches, as described, unless designated as “In Memory Of/In Honor Of” or display any U.S. Military medals, ribbons, military awards, pins and/or patches that they did not earn.

In other words: if you are planning to display any military patches, insignias medals etc. you must provide a copy of your DD214.

Rolling Thunder®, Inc. relies on volunteers to donate their time. If you cannot volunteer your time and attend meetings, please do not sign up for membership in our organization. We can only accept you as a member if you can donate your time to the issue.

We thank you for considering membership in Rolling Thunder®, Inc.

Applications are available at the membership meetings.