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 Home > News & Policies > May 2008

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
May 25, 2008

President Bush Welcomes Rolling Thunder Leadership to White House
South Lawn

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12:54 P.M. EDT

THE PRESIDENT: It's been a pleasure of my presidency to get to know the leaders of Rolling Thunder. For our fellow citizens who don't know Rolling Thunder, Rolling Thunder is the moment in time here in Washington, on Memorial Day Weekend, when thousands of motorcyclers come to the nation's capital to pay tribute to those who have died in service, to those who sacrificed, and those who serve. And it's a magnificent sight.

Members of the motorcycle group Rolling Thunder watch President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush land on the South Lawn of the White House from a visit to Camp David. White House photo by Chris Greenberg We just choppered in, Artie, and saw your brothers and sisters cranking up their machines and driving through the nation's capital -- many of them have got the flag on the back. And I am just so honored to welcome you back. I want to thank you and all your comrades for being so patriotic and loving our country as much as you do. I think this is the -- I don't know if this is the eighth time we've been together here, but it's pretty close.

MR. Muller: Pretty close, sir - maybe one more.

THE PRESIDENT: Yes, one more. (Laughter.) Anyway, Artie is the main man and this is his board of directors who have continued to rally people around the country. I went to Greensburg, Kansas, Artie, and I came into a town that had been destroyed by a tornado -- I was going to give the high school graduation speech, and rode in from the airport and the motorcyclers were all lining the streets with the flags and it made me feel great. When people go to protest at the funeral of one of our brave soldiers that died in combat, Artie's folks are there to make sure that those protestors don't denigrate the moment.

So you're doing a lot for the country.

MR. MULLER: Thank you.

THE PRESIDENT: And our troops appreciate you, the veterans appreciate you and your President appreciates you.

MR. MULLER: Thank you, Mr. President.

THE PRESIDENT: Welcome.

END 12:56 P.M. EDT
President George W. Bush greets Artie Muller, the National Executive Director of Rolling Thunder on the South Lawn of the White House. White House photo by Chris Greenberg
President George W. Bush stands with National Executive Director of Rolling Thunder Artie Muller and other members as he gives a statement to the press about the importance of the work the motorcycle riders do on behalf of the military. White House photo by Chris Greenberg