thedrifter
09-02-07, 06:13 AM
Ride for troops honors fallen Marine
Tribute to St. Cloud man is part of cyclists' care-package effort
Mark Pino
Sentinel Staff Writer
September 2, 2007
A fundraising ride planned by a group of Osceola motorcycle enthusiasts Sept. 9 will take on more meaning this year because a local man killed in Iraq is being honored.
The ride through Osceola County raises money for USO care packages sent to members of the armed forces stationed overseas.
This year organizers are honoring St. Cloud's Jason Burnett, a 20-year-old lance corporal who was killed with three other Marines in an accidental crash when their tank plunged off a bridge during a combat patrol in Al Anbar province, Iraq, in May 2006.
Burnett's parents, Ron and Shelley, are participating -- as they have from the start in 2005.
"He'd have a huge smile on his face," Ron Burnett said about this year's event. "It's a program he believed in also. We'd send care packages individually. Some guys may never get anything. That's why it's even more enticing to get involved in raising funds for this program. It brings a touch of home to guys who may not get anything otherwise."
The ride's founder, Viola Pearce, said the idea came to her after seeing news reports about men and women serving in the U.S. military who did not have some needed items.
"I was driving to work one day, listening to the news about the soldiers who have died over there," she said. "I thought there's got to be something I can do. This isn't about the war. This is about supporting the troops over there who are defending our freedom and giving people the right to voice their opinion about the war."
Since 2001, the Operation USO Care Package program has distributed more than a million packages, which can contain prepaid international phone cards, snacks, sunscreen, disposable cameras, toiletries, compact discs and other requested items.
Hundreds of riders participated in the first two years of the Osceola fundraiser, and Pearce said she is hoping for 1,000 people to take part this year. The cost is $25 per person. It is possible to buy a meal ticket if you don't want to ride.
Last week, Pearce and others involved went to Old Town to promote the ride.
"It's going to be bigger," Pearce said of the event that will include lunch from Outback, entertainment and a silent auction with prizes such as vacations, golf packages and tickets to sporting events.
The police-escorted ride, about 90 to 95 miles, will start at 10:30 a.m. at Osceola Heritage Park and take to the back roads of Osceola County.
"It's very nice scenic ride. It's really, really nice," Pearce said.
The event has raised more than $25,000 in the previous two years, and Pearce hopes to raise that much this year.
Ron Burnett said he was touched by the tribute being paid to his son, as well as other Floridians who have fallen.
"There is still a lot of emotion attached," he said. "We're honored that there are efforts to carry on his memory in Osceola County and to let people know of the importance of the USO care package program and to remember our fallen military."
For details, call 407-556-5000 or go to USOBenefitRide.com.
Mark Pino can be reached at 407-931-5935 or mpino@orlandosentinel.com.
Ellie
Tribute to St. Cloud man is part of cyclists' care-package effort
Mark Pino
Sentinel Staff Writer
September 2, 2007
A fundraising ride planned by a group of Osceola motorcycle enthusiasts Sept. 9 will take on more meaning this year because a local man killed in Iraq is being honored.
The ride through Osceola County raises money for USO care packages sent to members of the armed forces stationed overseas.
This year organizers are honoring St. Cloud's Jason Burnett, a 20-year-old lance corporal who was killed with three other Marines in an accidental crash when their tank plunged off a bridge during a combat patrol in Al Anbar province, Iraq, in May 2006.
Burnett's parents, Ron and Shelley, are participating -- as they have from the start in 2005.
"He'd have a huge smile on his face," Ron Burnett said about this year's event. "It's a program he believed in also. We'd send care packages individually. Some guys may never get anything. That's why it's even more enticing to get involved in raising funds for this program. It brings a touch of home to guys who may not get anything otherwise."
The ride's founder, Viola Pearce, said the idea came to her after seeing news reports about men and women serving in the U.S. military who did not have some needed items.
"I was driving to work one day, listening to the news about the soldiers who have died over there," she said. "I thought there's got to be something I can do. This isn't about the war. This is about supporting the troops over there who are defending our freedom and giving people the right to voice their opinion about the war."
Since 2001, the Operation USO Care Package program has distributed more than a million packages, which can contain prepaid international phone cards, snacks, sunscreen, disposable cameras, toiletries, compact discs and other requested items.
Hundreds of riders participated in the first two years of the Osceola fundraiser, and Pearce said she is hoping for 1,000 people to take part this year. The cost is $25 per person. It is possible to buy a meal ticket if you don't want to ride.
Last week, Pearce and others involved went to Old Town to promote the ride.
"It's going to be bigger," Pearce said of the event that will include lunch from Outback, entertainment and a silent auction with prizes such as vacations, golf packages and tickets to sporting events.
The police-escorted ride, about 90 to 95 miles, will start at 10:30 a.m. at Osceola Heritage Park and take to the back roads of Osceola County.
"It's very nice scenic ride. It's really, really nice," Pearce said.
The event has raised more than $25,000 in the previous two years, and Pearce hopes to raise that much this year.
Ron Burnett said he was touched by the tribute being paid to his son, as well as other Floridians who have fallen.
"There is still a lot of emotion attached," he said. "We're honored that there are efforts to carry on his memory in Osceola County and to let people know of the importance of the USO care package program and to remember our fallen military."
For details, call 407-556-5000 or go to USOBenefitRide.com.
Mark Pino can be reached at 407-931-5935 or mpino@orlandosentinel.com.
Ellie