Rolling thunder has its last ride in washington, d. C.

THE END OF A TRADITION Rolling Thunder is ending its 32-year tradition because of “Pentagon Security Police/Washington police officials continued lack of cooperation, increased harassment to

our supporters and sponsors,” says a statement from Muller, now the group's national executive director, and Joe Bean, its national president. They also blame event staging costs that

rose to $200,000, paired with a lack of corporate sponsorship and declining merchandise sales, as a drain on the organization's funds. Although not a veteran himself, Bean joined the

organization 20 years ago after attending a local Rolling Thunder event where his youngest son asked him to get involved. He has been its president for eight years. "I know it cost

money to run things and stuff like that, but in my eyes, this is all about veterans, and you would think the Department of Defense would cut us a break sometime,” Bean said. “An event the

size and scale of a Rolling Thunder ride is a complicated and lengthy process,” Pentagon spokesperson Sue Gough said in a statement. “We are proud of our history of providing a safe

operating area for events on the Pentagon Reservation, to include Rolling Thunder every year. The Pentagon civilian workforce, including [the Pentagon Force Protection Agency], have a large

veteran presence, and we especially appreciate the opportunity to support events that honor those who've served and sacrificed." Rolling Thunder's 90 chapters throughout the

country are already coordinating demonstrations for Memorial Day weekend in 2020. The group hopes that supporters who have not been able to make the trip to Washington will participate in

their own state, garner greater media attention and attract more politicians to fight for their cause. "There's never a politician, usually, in D.C. when we're down there,”

Bean says. “Usually they are all home having their little picnics. So, we look at it, if I can take this across the country, maybe I can get more politicians involved to help us out.” The

event has attracted the attention of presidents. George W. Bush attended the event and several times invited Rolling Thunder members to the White House. President Trump participated before

he was elected. Bean said he is not giving up on the Rolling Thunder ride. “I will keep it going as long as it takes,” he said.