Loading Video…

This browser does not support the Video element.

Bikers ride past the Lincoln Memorial during the annual Rolling Thunder motorcycle rally May 26, 2002 in Washington, DC.(Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Motorcyclists participating in the 17th annual Memorial Day Rolling Thunder Rally make their way across the Memorial Bridge May 30, 2004 into Washington, DC. (Photo by Brendan Smialowski/Getty Images)

Motorcycle riders participating in Rolling Thunder ride past the Lincoln Memorial May 29, 2005 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

Bikers cross the Memorial Bridge during the 19th Rolling Thunder May 28, 2006 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Brendan Smialowski/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON - Rolling Thunder -- the motorcycle event that honors military members who are missing in action or prisoners of war -- will ride for the last time in 2019.

Since 1988, hundreds of thousands of motorcycle riders have come to the nations capitol along with other veterans for the Rolling Thunder 'Ride For Freedom.'

Vice President Pete Zaleski cited cost as the major factor for making next year's May 26 rally its last scheduled ride. He noted that it costs $200,000 to hold the event, with the main cost coming from security, porta-potties, and cleanup. He said the huge coordination issue with the Pentagon drives most of the cost.

Zaleski says regional chapters will still hold Rolling Thunder rides, but the national one will no longer meet in D.C.