By Barbara A. Preston | Posted May 21, 2024
Memorial Day weekend will be energized by the approaching Rolling Thunder event on Sunday, May 26, with a thunderous celebration of freedom and remembrance. About 350 veterans on motorcycles from the tri-state area plan to roar into Montgomery Township as part of a magnificent parade that begins at Raritan Valley College, passes through Bridgewater, Manville, Somerville, and Hillsborough, and ends at Skillman Park.
MOTORCYCLISTS to take part in the Rolling Thunder ride from Raritan Valley College to Skillman Park in Montgomery Township on Sunday, May 26. (File photo by James Williams/Military Times)
Montgomery residents may view the parade, which will enter Montgomery Township in Belle Mead, on the border with Hillsborough, at about 12:30 pm. A police escort, provided by the Somerset County Sheriff's Office, will lead the procession south on Route 206. When the bikers arrive at Sunset Road, they will turn right on Sunset Road, then left onto Burnt Hill Road, and finally right into Skillman Park. (See map below.)
The party in the park is open to all. It begins at about 1 pm and ends at 5 pm. The alcohol-free, family-appropriate festivities will include: Opening Ceremonies, food trucks, venders, a POW~MIA Table, and DJ services provided by SOUNDfx Entertainment.
"It is open to the public — you don't need to have a motorcycle," says PR/Media Representative Nicole Sforza Chati of Rolling Thunder National.
ROLLING THUNDER PARADE route into Montgomery Township. The day begins at 9 am with a demonstration at Raritan Valley College in Branchburg, and will include a motorcycle parade, as well as a party with speakers, food, and music at Skillman Park from about 1 pm to 5 pm.
RSVP online. The registration fee is $10 per bike or car.
Date: Sunday, May 26, 2024
Assembly Location: Raritan Valley Community College 118 Lamington Rd., Branchburg, NJ 08876
Time: 7 am to 12 pm
Kickstands Up (KSU): 12 pm sharp
Police Escorted Ride
Village Elementary School, 100 Main Blvd, Skillman, 08558
Skillman Park
12:30 pm until about 5 pm
At Skillman Park:
Rolling Thunder Dignitaries
Opening Ceremonies
POW~MIA Table
DJ services are provided by SOUNDfx Entertainment
Guest speaker: Bill Spadea of 101.5 FM Radio.
The guest speaker will be Bill Spadea, the morning-drive talk show host on 101.5 FM. For seven years he also hosted a show on FOX TV, “Chasing News with Bill Spadea." He was the Republican nominee for United States Congress in New Jersey's 12th congressional district in 2004. Most importantly, Spadea is a former United States Marine receiving an honorable discharge in 1999.
Red, White & Brews
1 Soldier 1 Dog 1 Team (This organization rescues shelter dogs and matches them with a veteran and/or first responder suffering from PTSD.)
Treasure World
Ozzie Mobile Cleaning
D & S Beads
Christian Motorcycle Group
Special Event Cigars
Casey’s Cuban Truck
Mahlon’s Italian Ices
50/50
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Rolling Thunder, Inc. National dedicated a “POW/MIA Chair of Honor” to Montgomery High School on September 21, 2018 on National POW/MIA Recognition Day. Opening remarks were by Mike Maloney, Marine, Rolling Thunder, Inc. member and a Montgomery resident. Comments were made by then Congressman Leonard Lance; Former Somerset County Freeholder Mark Caliguire; Artie Muller, Army and Executive Director of Rolling Thunder, Inc. Unveiling and dedication made by Former Principal Paul Popadiuk and Artie Muller. Taps played by Frank Hughes, Bugles Across America. “Amazing Grace” on the bagpipes by Lance Evans, Rolling Thunder, Inc. member. National Anthem performed by the Montgomery High School Band.
The Chair of Honor is on display in the foyer at Montgomery High School.
Rolling Thunder® Inc. 501(c)(4) organization was est. in 1987 to seek accountability for all POW/MIA's from past wars.
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