Rolling Thunder Across America"Operation Carry the Flame" 2007
This is the 10th year Rolling Thunder Across America Operation "Carry the Flame" will conduct a motorcycle ride across the country which begins in Modesto, California and ends in Washington D. C. for Memorial Day weekend ceremonies.

Carry the Flame mission:
1. Remember our POW/MIAs and support the mission to find them and bring them home.
2. Escort Gold Star and Blue Star Mothers and assist in fundraising efforts for their costly missions.
3. Help raise funds for scholarships for children's grief training who have lost a father or mother to the present wars. These children can suffer PTSD in some sense just the same as a soldier can.
4. To support, respect and honor our brave military men & women who protect America's freedom.

Riders: Every Rider is Welcome to join this mission:

It's not too late to make reservations for the Rolling Thunder Across America Operation "Carry The Flame" ride. Even if you are not sure about making this year's ride all the way or just going half way or will be riding a few days, I suggest you make reservations because it will be easier to cancel than to make reservations at the last minute. All rooms could be gone if you wait too long. Arrangements have been made for discounted lodging under the name Rolling Thunder "Carry The Flame". At some stops more than one motel/hotel are listed, please call the first one on the list and use the local number. If you have a problem making a reservation, please contact Josie Kakar-Delsi, Ride Route Coordinator at 520-836-1022. Should you need to cancel a reservation, please contact Josie in case someone else needs a room. After you make your reservations e-mail or call me (316-788-4766) so I can put you on the local list. Depart Washington DC on Monday 28 May and head home.
Visited this link for motel/hotel information www.carrytheflame.org or e-mail quartermaster@carrytheflame.org.

King Cavalier, the President of RTAAOCTF, has made some changes to the schedule to make the days shorter so we can get to the motels earlier to rest up. He also had to buy Riders Insurance to protect all of us and the Operation Carry The Flame organization from injury and wrongful death lawsuits. This had to be done because of law suits filed and won against the "Run To The Wall" motorcycle organization in 2004 in which a rider was killed in an accident during the ride. The insurance company of the rider who died sued "Run To The Wall" and the Leadership. The lawsuit exhausted the Run to the Wall funds. Their generous members and sponsors are making donations to keep the mission alive. The "Run To The Wall" Military Veterans will keep rolling, as we all know that.

King Cavalier purchased insurance for the Rolling Thunder Operation "Carry The Flame" mission/ride, each person will be required to pay $25 a day. All of us commended and thanked King for getting the insurance through AMA so the mission could continue. I realize this sounds like an unreasonable amount of money to most people. However, please remember that the reduced group motel rate which includes breakfast, lunches & dinners provided by VFW's, Harley Davidson Dealership's and Big Dog Dealership saves riders money each and every day.

To be able to ride with the core group, participate in the ceremonies, receive the motel group rate, and free lunches/dinners we all have to register. Count the days you plan on riding and multiple by $25 and include in your registering. There are 3 forms we have to fill out: Application of Participation, Participant Release, and Medical/Vehicle Form. I will order the forms so we can pre-register and have that much done ahead of arriving. When you pre-register you will receive a CTF short sleeve T-shirt, 1-OCTF pin, 1-pewter GSM monument pin, 1-POW/MIA bracelet, and 1-2007 vest patch tab. You can register when you join at any stop with a Road Captain or Josie Kakar-Delsi Ride Route Coordinator.

We (Derby/Wichita area riders) will be departing Sunday 13 May 2007 (0700 hr--7AM) QT K15 & 71st south Derby, KS this will be a 2 day ride to
Flagstaff, AZ. and stay at Gray Mountain. Sunday 13 May departure morning we will choose a motel in NM that evening. We have 2 routes in planning, (1) is to ride to Santa Rosa, NM. (2) Las Vegas, NM. The weather in May and convenent fuel stops will play a big part in which ride route to take. Each day riding to Flagstaff will be a approx. 490 miles. Make your Gray Mountain reservations for 2 nights 14 May & 15 May. The next morning Tuesday 15 May tentative plan to ride up US 89 to 64 Hyw and view southern brim of Grand Canyon. Or visit the Sunset Crater Nat"l Monument on south US 89. The afternoon of Tuesday 15 May approx. 1430 hr (2:30PM) we will meet the RTCTF Riders north of Flagstaff on Hwy 89 at a Conoco Station. From the Conoco Station we will ride 8 miles to a afternoon Ceremony. This will allow us plenty of time to be able to meet RTCTF Riders and be ready to ride into the Native Indian Reservations and be part of CTF ceremonies starting Wednesday 16 May 2007.

If you can't go on this mission please plan on attending the ceremony at the VFW in El Reno, Okla. on Sunday 20 May 2007. There will be venders in the parking lot and lunch provided inside (donations accepted) just like the last few years.
VFW Post 382 El Reno, Okla. (I-40 exit 125, south on Hwy 81 turn left on hwy 66 at 1st stop light follow hwy 66 1 mile VFW located on east side.)
The Rolling Thunder "Carry the Flame" riders will arrive around 1230 hr (12:30PM) after riding through El Reno escorted by the police.

Remember "Riders you need to be self-propelled & self-contained" "Helmets required & protected clothing"

Remember the many reasons why we do this mission.

Terry "Darkhorse" Houck cell-316 619 3265
Wild "Bill" Logan cell-316 2580264
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