A Memorial Day tradition ends

The iconic Memorial Day motorcycle parade in Washington, D.C., Rolling Thunder “Ride for Freedom,” will end this year.

Organizers say the event, which draws thousands of motorcycle riders, faces high costs of up to $200,000 a year along with complicated bureaucratic red tape.

For 31 years the parade has moved from the Pentagon to the Vietnam War Memorial wall, a tribute that started in 1988 with just an idea for a one-time rally in remembrance of all Prisoners of War (POW) and those Missing in Action (MIA).

The original 2,500-participant demonstration has increased to about 900,000, the world’s largest single-day motorcycle ride and the most attended Memorial Day event in the nation.

Despite financial help from Harley motorcycles and other groups, Rolling Thunder will be putting on the brakes after this year’s ride.