Some area motorcycle enthusiasts braved the heat for some special rides over the weekend. One of them raised money to help support the Vermilion County War Museum. Proceeds from the other will benefit the Vermilion County Handicapped Association – a group that builds free ramps at homes of people needing them.
Danny Mullins of Bismarck is the director of American Legion Riders from Post 210 in Danville. He noted Saturday’s ride supporting the War Museum was the 7th ride held in honor of Sparky Songer. He was a past president and founder of the Vermilion County War Museum – who started his military service during World War II….
{AUDIO: ”…(he) subsequently was a P-O-W captured by the Germans in the Battle of the Bulge. And he subsequently escaped. Now if you can image a man that was a P-O-W when the war ended the Korean Conflict broke out – and he re-enlisted. A man that was a P-O-W (Prisoner Of War) re-enlisted and was in the military during the Korean Conflict and Vietnam – which made him a three war Vet.”}
(Riders prepare to depart on ride supporting the Vermilion County War Museum on August 28, 2021.)
(File photo of Harold ‘Sparky’ Songer.)
Mullins says those involved in Saturday’s nearly 115 mile ride felt honored to do it…
{AUDIO: ”Truly honored. The first year that we did this we did it in the month of October, and it was freezing rain and spitting snow. And so if you can image – we were at one end of the spectrum then, and now we’re at the other where it’s 90- plus, standing here sweating.”}
The Vermilion County War Museum is located at 307 North Vermilion in Danville. It contains memorabilia and artifacts…some of which date back to the Revolutionary War.
