May 2019
www.branchburgnews.com
Rolling Thunder: “Not Going Away”
Serving Suggestion – This scene from a 2018 Food Truck & Music Festival in Chester suggests what the May 11 Branchburg event might look like. -- photo provided by JMK Events
After 32 years, the 2019 Rolling Thunder® annual motorcycle ride and demonstration in Washington DC on Memorial Day weekend (May 26 this year) will be the final such event. But it’s not the end of the Rolling Thunder advocacy organization for veterans and United States POW/MIAs unaccounted for from the Iraqi War, Afghanistan, Gulf War, Vietnam War, the Korean War, Cold War and WWII. The national group, led by Branchburg resident and Vietnam veteran Artie Muller (Army Sgt.), founder and executive director, was celebrated at the Mar. 27 Township Committee meeting. Rolling Thunder received proclamations from the Township Committee and the New Jersey Senate and General Assembly. The Memorial Day weekend tradition in Washington started in 1988 with about 2,000 motorcyclists. In 2018, there were more than 500,000 riders. Muller was quoted in a “Stars and Stripes” ar-
Branchburg Food Truck & Music Festival Debuts May 11 The inaugural Branchburg Food Truck & Music Festival is scheduled for Saturday, May 11, from 11 am to 7 pm at White Oak Park. It is sponsored by the Rotary Club of Branchburg, in conjunction with Branchburg Township. Admission is $5 and kids under 10 are free. Leashed dogs are permitted. It is a rain or shine event. If there are any changes for the event, they will be announced on the Facebook event page: https://www. facebook.com/events/white-oakpark/branchburg-food-truck-music-festival/764585090600912/ (Or just google Branchburg food truck facebook). About 20 gourmet food trucks are expected, along with bands, vendors and kids’ activities (for example, face painting, games, and bounce house). There will be a beer and wine garden, also serving margaritas, separately cordoned off within the larger festival. It will
have its own conrtrolled entrance for those of legal age, and there will be a police presence. The location of the event is approximately where the Branchburg Country Fair sets up its tent every September. Branchburg Recreation Director Glenn Burrell wrote: “That is the first choice, however, weather and field conditions may dictate a secondary location within the park.” Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets, and a non-perishable canned or boxed food item to help support the food pantry. Dr. Julie Ann Juliano, Rotary president, wrote “The Branchburg Rotary is thrilled to be the sponsor of this community event. Come with your chairs or blankets – plan for a day listening to music, eating to your heart’s content and spending the day with family and friends.”
Mayor Anna Columbus wrote that she is “so excited about this new event that is coming to Branchburg. A large part of my mayoral pledge is to bring the community together. I urge all of you to come out and enjoy the day and the delicious food. Come for lunch and stay for dinner.” The mayor provided the following list of food trucks expected at the event: Angry Archies, Bearded One BBQ, Cheezen LLC, Jersey Rollz, Jersey Johnny’s, Pitas and Platters, Sauced and Rubbed Ribs, Taxi Cab Burger, Thai Food Addict, Zoelly Empanada, Little Sicilian, Chick Wings & Things, Brownie Bar, Carnivale Donut Bar, Cold Stone Creamery, Flying Pie Guy, Glazed and Confused Donuts, Good Mood Truck, House of Cupcakes, Maddelena’s Cheesecake Co.
Celebrating Rolling Thunder at the Township Committee meeting: From left, Sen. Kip Bateman, Artie Muller, Township Committeeman James Schworn, Mayor Anna Columbus, Elaine Muller – photo by Joe Bonin
ticle that the 2018 “Ride for Freedom” cost more than $200,000, and the money generated by Rolling Thunder would be better spent helping veterans, service members and their families. https://www. stripes.com/news/rolling-thunderto-end-annual-memorial-day-ridein-dc-after-2019-1.560494 During the Township Committee meeting, Artie told the crowd: “Just for the record, this is not going to be the last ride. It’s the last ride in Washington DC. But we are
going to keep doing demonstrations the day before Memorial Day. In 2020 we’ll start, nationwide. East Coast, West Coast, Midwest, up north and down south. We’re not going away.” Rolling Thunder currently has 90 chapters across the country. For more info, visit https:// www.rollingthunder1.com/ Postal address is Rolling Thunder, Inc. National, PO Box 216, Neshanic Station, NJ 08853.
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