lol finding 1 bike in that crowd will be like looking for a needle in a hay stack. there will be thousands and thousands of bikes there. Be sure to tour DC while you are there, Arlington cemetary and the wall, but do not get too close to the white house the secret service do not like that much. (don't ask me how I know)

 

You mean like finding a needle in a stack of needles.....

 

i went down a few times, and i will never go back. its to damn crowded and 1/2 the people there are there to party and forget what the ride is all about. if you never went then u should go once, but i dont like crowds like that. last year it took me hours to get out of the city

 

I live just south of DC and will be riding with the Dumfries RT.

 

Didn't mean to look for me at the parade. Or did you mean looking for me in the Days in parking lot is like looking for one bike out of thousands? If so, nevermind! LOL

 

I couldn't agree more. Many go for the right reasons, but it seems many more lately just consider it an excuse to ride and party, and the commercialization is outrageous. It has gotten way out of hand. What sickens me even more are all the supposed "veterans" who hang around the wall in various cammie outfits (funny how everyone was a Green Beret or SEAL, no clerks or jerks), often wearing mixed uniforms and mixed decorations from various services. I didn't say all, but many. Add that to the crowds as previously stated, and my PTSD acts up to the point it's not good for me there. If someone really wants to go there for cathartic reasons, or to just properly pay their respects, then they should go during quieter times where reflection is possible without the posers and commercial interests overwhelming the moment. Just my $.02...
Just a thought...of all the riders who make the trek to DC to support the MIA/POW issue...how many have actually ever written, or even called their elected representatives regarding the issue? How many even know the status of the issue in our government? What is the role of the VFW/AMVETS/MOAA/DAV and other the organizations on the issue? Have they ever heard of or been involved with JTF-FA or JPAC and their respective initiatives? Why wouldn't the rally be focused on the governments of Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia? What about MIAs from other conflicts...WWII (over 30 thousand) and Korea (over 8 thousand)? If someone feels strongly enough to ride their motorcycle across the country to DC, get a hotel, and participate in the "festivities" (notice I didn't say memorial or awareness rally), then why wouldn't they be involved or have knowledge of the aforementioned? If true, let's be honest shall we? It's really just an excuse to ride (I have somewhere to go!), meet friends, party, and do it under the guise of "concern for POW/MIA issues". The concern only lasts as long as the event. Not trying to **** on anyone's parade (pardon the pun), but...well, I've said enough. My apologies if I've offended anyone with true concern or intent...enjoy yourselves and the spectacle. I'm out.

 

Thunder Beach in Panama City baby! 4/29-5/2

 

Pretty tough to offer my $.02 after Airborne's post because a lot of what he says is true. For me, it's not about the 'party'. It's about the patriotism that's still alive in & for this country.

Medic - here's a suggestion for ya. Once you get in the parkig lot, most likely you'll walk up the hill for a view of the sea of bikes. Since you'll have some time, head to the Pentagon 9-11 Memorial. It's a pretty short walk and well worth it. While standing in the Memorial, look at the Air Force Memorials 3 spires, and that's the flight path of the hijacked plane that hit the Pentagon.

 

I'm probably gonna go down for the day im only an hour away. I dont really like getting into crowds that large but I think I might check it out. I havent been yet because of the horror stories I hear of huge crowds and not being able to move but I guess I'll just make a long day of it.

 

Do it for whatever reason you want.
The parade from the Pentagon parking lot is an advanced ride. Have skills and pay attention. Don't blame someone else for dropping your bike.
There will be drunk people on bikes.
It will be loud.
I live 40 minutes from D.C. It's nice to see all the bikes for a weekend. I rode in the parade once (2001). Everyone should. I won't do it again and mostly do everything I can to stay the hell out of the city - bunch of crazy folk living there.

P.S. Don't **** on the grass. That is highly frowned upon. The United States Park Police will arrest you for it.