For Immediate Release

Contact: Miles Migliara, Chief Communications Officer

(573) 528-4219 | media@amvets.org

Pro-Veteran Demonstration Ride Will Stage on Streets

of Washington D.C., Breaking with 33-Year Tradition

WASHINGTON (MAY 7, 2021) – For the first time in the 33-year tradition of a Memorial Day
demonstration ride taking place in Washington D.C., riders will stage in the downtown area, as
opposed to the Pentagon north parking lot. The decision comes after a late disapproval from the
Pentagon to allow staging and a rushed attempt to secure RFK stadium parking lot.

“The lack of communication we’ve had with the Pentagon unfortunately created a domino effect
in the planning and backup planning of this demonstration,” said AMVETS National Commander
and retired U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sergeant Jan Brown. “ We’re hopeful that we can pick
back up with Pentagon leadership after May and work toward a successful Memorial Day 2022,
but as for now we are looking forward and are determined to create safe and efficient staging
downtown.”

The staging will involve heavy collaboration with D.C. metropolitan police, which AMVETS has
maintained since discussions for the 2021 event began.

“AMVETS made it a priority when we decided to host this demonstration to build good
relationships with each agency in D.C. and to keep open lines of communication,” said AMVETS
National Executive Director Joe Chenelly, a Marine Corps combat veteran of the wars in
Afghanistan and Iraq. “We are working closely to finalize staging with the District’s Metropolitan
Police, who have been great. The new staging area will work well, providing for a safe,
responsible setting. It will be moving. It will be impactful.”

“I’m grateful that AMVETS is continuing the tradition in Washington D.C. on May 30th that was
started by Vietnam Veterans over 30 years ago,” said Tim Chambers, best known as The
Saluting Marine, who has held a salute on 23rd and Constitution annually during each
demonstration for nearly two decades. “It is fitting to have one of our nation’s leading veteran
service organizations take the lead, on a safe, legal, pro military demonstration to not only
highlight POW/MIA awareness but also veteran suicide. There is more to be done, we must
stop the dominoes from falling and provide accountability for those never accounted for and the
families left behind.”

The latest information on where Rolling to Remember will stage, the demonstration route, and
what to expect may be found at rollingtoremember.com within the next few days.

AMVETS is a Congressionally chartered, nonpartisan veterans service organization,

representing the interests of more than 19 million veterans. Its membership requirements are
the most inclusive of any veterans service organization, open to all who have served in the
United States military regardless of when or where.

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