Rolling Thunder, the group that has organized the long-running annual motorcycle ride into Washington that honors military members who are missing in action or prisoners of war, will end its tradition after 2019.

The event that brings thousands of bikers to the nation's capital will be discontinued after next year's event on May 26, Pete Zaleski, the organization's vice president told WRC-TV .

The group has decided to end the annual tradition because of rising costs and continuous communication problems with the Pentagon Police Department. According to Zaleski, the cost of the event has increased over the years, and last year's ride cost about $200,000. The money is spent on security, portable toilets and cleanup.

Historically, the group has relied on donations and registration fees to fund the ride, but the group says it is no longer enough.

"If we could get relieved of some of those costs, we would certainly try to keep it going," Zaleski told the TV station.

Rolling Thunder held its first ride to the District in May 1988. Established by two Vietnam veterans, the founders had "concerns about the POWs and MIAs from the Vietnam war" and "were deeply troubled by the abhorrent neglect of attention given to those who did not make it out with their lives or their freedom."

So, Artie Muller and Ray Manzo set out to raise awareness. They reached out to family, friends, veterans and veterans' advocates "to unify and form a march and demonstration in the nation's Capital," announcing their arrival "by the roar of their motorcycles."