Freedom Folks: Illinois Freedom Run

Jake and I had the privilege of attending the Illinois Freedom Run yesterday. What is the Illinois Freedom Run, you ask? It involved motorcycles, music, food, and thousands of patriots honoring our troops. Our day went something like this...

We were hoping to beat the motorcycles to the tiny town of Marseilles, but no such luck...they passed us on the highway, flags and red, white and blue streamers flapping from the backs of their bikes.

Overpass after overpass was lined with people who had come out to cheer the motorcyle patriots on and land their support to our troops.
We arrived in Marseilles to find the main street lined with a sea of bikes -- an all-American sight if ever I saw one.
The main event took place at Shehorn Park, which is nestled on the Illinois River.
There you will find the Middle East Conflicts Wall Memorial, engraved with the names of those who have fallen in these conflicts.
We checked out a small display of military vehicles, manned by some of the nation's finest.
The ceremony began with the color guard.
The flag was presented,...
...raised, then lowered in honor of those who have given their lives. We joined in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Then were treated to the national anthem by Wayne Messmer, "The Voice of Wrigley Field."

Then came the reading of the names that were added since last year. 906 of them. The readers included Illinois Freedom Run members, Illinois Lieutenant Governor Pat Quinn, families of those who have lost loved ones, and those who have served us so well from across the branches of military.

Thank you, brave warriors, for your service and sacrifice. May you rest in peace.

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The conservative cat