Welcome all to our website,
Rolling Thunder®, Inc. Chapter 2 New York was founded over
21 years ago by Frank Appice, some members from earlier chapters, and a few
guys with the common interest of helping veterans. Since that little get
together in that diner, Chapter 2 NY has grown to over 80 members, and we
are continuing to grow.
Our meetings are held on the first Tuesday of
every month at the American Legion Gold Star Post 1365, 17 Cannon
Ave Staten Island, NY 10314 at 6:30 pm. Our meetings are open to the public, so
come down one Tuesday night and see what we are all about!
There may be a few misconceptions about Rolling Thunder®, so
I would like to address those for you:
- We are NOT a motorcycle club, nor
have we ever been. You do not need to own or ride a motorcycle to be a member
of Rolling Thunder®. You need only to believe in our cause and be willing to
donate some time to help veterans.
- You do not need to be a veteran to be a member. While we
do have many Veterans, MOST of our membership has never
served.” We serve those that served”.
Membership is not limited. We have Veterans, non-veterans,
men, women and children. Yes, you read that right, children. We have nearly 25
junior members, as you must be 18 years old to become a full patched member.
Our junior members are an important part of our organization, as they will be
the ones to hopefully continue our mission someday.
Our membership is more of a family. We all respect one
another, and we work together to achieve incredible results for our veterans.
These are just a few of the things that we do:
- Our annual Frankie” Towkar” Appice Memorial 3-Boro run and
after party, are held on the last Sunday in July at the West Shore Little League located at 340 Walker Street Staten Island, NY 10303. As of this writing, we have
raised over $150,000 for local veterans in need, the National and local
chapters of the Disabled American Veterans (D.A.V.) organizations.
With our Rolling Thunder® 501c3 Charities account, we have
helped countless veterans with their rent/mortgages and utility bills and aided
former homeless veterans furnish their apartments with furniture. We have also aided disabled veterans in constructing ramps at their homes and
repaired their wheelchairs.
We are constantly fighting for veteran’s legislation in the
house and senate. We collaborate with our local politicians, as well as attend
meetings and visit our representatives in Washington DC. Rolling Thunder® is
not a political organization. We don’t care what party you support; we support
our veterans!
Finally, we are always proudly supporting the “22 too many" campaign. 22 veterans commit suicide daily in the United States. The 22toomany.org "mission is to honor fallen military lost to suicide, provide support to their grieving families, share helpful resources for those battling post-traumatic
stress disorder (PTSD), and increase awareness."
All of this sounds like a lot, I know, but with so many
wonderful members, and with tremendous support from our community, we get it
done. “A lot of people doing a little is better than a few doing a lot”. So
please, I ask you to check out our website and event calendar & come out
and support us at any of our many events.
Help us help a Veteran. I promise you;
you won’t be sorry!
See you out there!
Vin “VINMAN" Perno
Our Mission Statement:
THE MAJOR FUNCTION OF ROLLING THUNDER® INC, IS TO
PUBLICIZE THE POW-MIA ISSUE: TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC THAT MANY AMERICAN PRISONERS
OF WAR WERE LEFT BEHIND AFTER ALL PREVIOUS WARS, AND TO HELP CORRECT THE PAST
AND TO PROTECT FUTURE VETERANS FROM BEING LEFT BEHIND SHOULD THEY BECOME
PRISONERS OF WAR-MISSING IN ACTION. WE ARE ALSO COMMITTED TO HELPING AMERICAN
VETERANS FROM ALL WARS.
