Day 8 – May 20th – Davenport, IA

Veterans Memorial Park – Davenport, Iowa

State Coordinators: Patrick Martindale, IA – Ken Richardson, IL

Locations:

Begins in Davenport, IA, on to Marseilles and Portage, before ending the day in Michigan City, IN

Weather:

Rain, occasional downpours, intermittent showers, and short episodes of dry accompanied by high winds. The good news is, it did not rain during the outdoor ceremony at the Middle East Conflicts Wall Memorial.

Agenda:

Breakfast w/Illinois Escort, Davenport, IA

Breakfast at the hotel was convenient and they opened early, making the coffee in time for our group to start coming in at 5:45.
Wayne’s message was brief but perfectly timed for a rainy day. He quoted Romans 5:3-5
- “…but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.”
The Illinois State Troopers and local Police were also there to begin the ride across Illinois. They gave us specifics on how best to handle puddles, excessive spray, fogged face shields, etc. All good refreshers. And we were off.

Middle East Conflicts Wall Memorial, Marseilles, IL

The rain abated for a short time just when we arrived for the ceremony.
A bus with five veterans, four men and one woman, from a local Vets Home were there waiting when we arrived. Buzz and HeadDog pinned the veterans and their driver. The weather prevented them from leaving the bus and joining the larger group, but those who went inside had a short visit with them and the vets really appreciated the personal attention.
The Mayor spoke introducing the event. Jerry Conner read a poem from 1934 that was a comfort to hear. We had no wreath due to the chase truck taking a broken bike into Michigan City for repairs. So we marched, did a salute of respect, a 21 gun salute, and taps.
We also picked up a couple of new riders, but we didn’t have much time to get to know them there since the rain was on our tail, so we moved on to our next location.

American Legion 235, Marseilles, IL

The members of American Legion Post #235 went all out and took great care of us. I always especially appreciate that they include a lettuce salad with lunch. Of course, Wayne most likes the cookies for dessert.
Ken Richardson, Illinois State Coordinator, thanked the Post Commander and the Auxiliary for the delicious lunch, served as we walked through the doors.
Ken introduced Virginia, the wife of a deceased Marine, who has been working to helps vets for a number of years, especially homeless vert and those down on their luck. Virginia offered lots of things we could offer to vets on or journey to DC, along with providing snacks for the riders that were delivered to the chase truck.
Finally, we had the treat of presenting two Freedom Medals, this time to two of the police who were part of our escort to and from Marseilles.
When back on the road on our way to Indiana, the Police cruisers took over for the motor officers. The year was probably the smoothest transition through the Interstate 80 & 90 merge, getting us across numerous lanes and into the fast lane. In addition they mostly blocked the lane to our right so we were able to ride without the additional spray from large truck tires.

JROTC Program, Portage, IN

We arrived in a short dry spell and made it inside without dripping all over their clean floors. The were ready and put on a very skilled and impressive display of their drills.
We learned that six of the seven graduating cadettes are going into the military; one Coast Guard, one Air Force, two Navy, and two Marine. Each graduating senior got a ride pin and we got to greet and speak to each of the cadettes.
Mike Stupar, Indiana State Coordinator, thanked the cadette Commanders and presented the Marine liaison/instructor with an NVAR certificate. He also had thank you certificates for the Portage Police and Fire Department.
Also, I spoke to one of the Marines who run the ROTC program. He said, “Not all go into military, maybe a third, but all learn valuable, practical habits that help them in jobs and in life. In this program they learn to be on time, to do what they’re told, and to work hard to do their very best.” Basic life lessons can often make a difference between what job you will get and how far you will go in the that job.
While gearing up for the next leg of our journey, the rain began again, with a vengeance.

Danny Bruce Memorial, Michigan City, IN

We staged for the ride to the memorial at the Harley/Honda parking lot where more bikes and cages joined the caravan to the memorial. Just before we were about to leave an orange rain cell passed overhead and dumped buckets of water on the bikes. The building fortunately had a large overhang and the two showrooms had lots of space for the majority of riders who took advantage of them to get warm.
Many were following the storm’s movement on Doppler radar. We started to gear up just in time so they could ride as soon as the heavy rain eased up. Then the ride to the memorial was relatively dry from falling rain, just the splash from the soaked roads.
As always this memorial humbles and awakens us to the sacrifices made in war time. Danny Bruce, a mere nineteen years old, gave his life to save three of his brothers-in-arms. His sacrifice extended the wife widowed while still pregnant with their child and the baby born never having a chance to know its father. We are honored to stop here every year to ensure Danny Bruce, Marine, will never be forgotten.
Mike Stupar presented certificates to the Police and Fire Chief who were our escorts to and from the Danny Bruce Memorial. An extra treat, while at the memorial, we learned one of the Fire Chiefs is a veteran from the Global War on Terror. We were able to take this moment to present him with a Freedom Medal.

The Wall Gang Clubhouse, Michigan City, IN

Last minute changes put Mike into high alert looking for anywhere he might find a facility large enough to host a dinner for the NVAR riders with all the day-riders and escorts. When HeadDog heard of Mike dilemma, he offered The Wall Gang’s clubhouse.
Not only was The Wall Gang more than willing to host us, but the women of The Wall Gang stepped up in a big way, on short notice, and made it happen. And “happen” it did. It was a great celebration of familiar faces, riders from past rides not able to go in 2025, even babies that had grown a year since we’d last seen them.
The Quilts of Valor organization joined us again this year, awarding eleven quilts to military veterans. What a colorful display as they all got together for a photo opp.
I spoke to HeadDog’s sister-in-law who expressed that The Wall Gang is more a family than anything else. Any place else one might have described the scene tonight as “old home week,” but with The Wall Gang, it was more like a family reunion.

Thank a veteran today,

Thank You – Libby Worden – Sitrep Admin