Forbes to Ride in Rolling Thunder in Honor of Pow/MIAs - Washington Times

THE WHEELS TURN

Gears have definitely shifted. Rolling Thunder will not have a traditional audience at the White House to kick-start the 23rd annual "Ride for Freedom" rally. Officials from the mammoth motorcycle group tell Inside the Beltway they will not pay a call on President Obama this weekend when 900,000 riders gather in the nation's capital in the name of patriotism, and to honor active-duty troops, prisoners of war, those missing in action and veterans.

The informal, cordial welcome was an annual rite during the previous administration, capped off in 2008 when President George W. Bush met Rolling Thunder President Artie Mueller and others in the White House driveway, escorted them to the Oval Office and was made an honorary member of the group. Last year, Mr. Obama met with Mr. Mueller before the rally, with a few hours' notice. But alas, there's "no White House this year," a spokeswoman says.

Citing his "commitment to veterans," Rep. J. Randy Forbes, Virginia Republican, will ride at the head of the long line of bikers when they begin their momentous journey from the Pentagon to the Mall - joined by, among many others, former Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Richard B. Myers and singer Nancy Sinatra.