It’s happening this Saturday, a chance to raise money for the Vermilion County War Museum. The Eighth Annual Sparky Songer Memorial Ride begins at the museum at 307 North Vermilion at 11 AM Saturday. It’s rain or shine, and all vehicles are welcome. This event is hosted by American Legion Post 210, and American Legion Rider Danny Mullins reminds us that Sparky Songer was a longtime Danville resident born in Veedersburg, Indiana; who was a founder of the museum and long time president of its board of directors. And he had an amazing resume of service to our country.
AUDIO: A three war Vet, a POW during World War II captured by the Germans in the Battle of the Bulge. And as many individuals and bar owners throughout Vermilion County can attest to, Mr. Songer would save cans, millions and millions of cans. And he would cash these cans in to get the War Musuem, located where it’s at today.
Mullins describes where Saturday’s ride is headed.
AUDIO: Our first stop will be in Hoopeston, at the Legion in Hoopeston. And then our second stop will be at the Elks in Attica, Indiana. And then from there we’ll be going to Cayuga, Indiana. And then the American Legion in Georgetown, and then back to Post 210.
Registration will begin at the War Museum before 10 AM Saturday for the 11 AM start. Call 217-474-8280 for more information. The $25 per vehicle fee includes admission to the War Museum for a tour that day or on a later date, and also the meal at Post 210 at the end of the ride. This year’s ride is a “poker run” to give the riders who are donating a chance to win something, and then all proceeds go to the War Museum, which Mullins reminds us is a treasure for Vermilion County.
AUDIO: They have artifacts that date all the way back to the Revolutionary War, all the way up to the current conflicts that we’re experiencing now. So there’s so many things to see inside there.
We should mention that Vermilion County War Museum Board president Jim Kouzmanoff says one of the next big projects is going to be a remodeling of the Medal of Honor Room
