thedrifter
09-25-08, 06:49 AM
Memorial supporters get their motors running
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Motorcycle run to raise funds for tribute to Onslow Vietnam vets
September 25, 2008 - 12:39AM
ANIESA HOLMES
DAILY NEWS STAFF
A sea of roaring motorcycles will hit the highways to remember America's heroes.
The 2nd annual Onslow Vietnam Veterans Memorial Motorcycle Run will be held Saturday to help raise funds for a local wall honoring those who died in the Vietnam War.
The event is open to all motorcycle riders and will start on Montford Point road near the Beirut Memorial.
Kenji "Kat" Horn of Jacksonville, the current president of the Onslow Vietnam Veterans Memorial Foundation, is expecting big things from this year's event.
"We had about 700 riders last year, and we're expecting at least 1,000 this year," he said.
As the son of a Vietnam veteran and an avid motorcycle enthusiast, Horn noticed the positive trend of motorcycle fundraisers in the area and the military support they received.
"We had a tremendous response (last year) and raised a quite a bit of money with it and it also draws attention to our project," Horn said. "By having something this large it gets their attention and it gets them involved."
The Onslow Vietnam Veterans Memorial Foundation was organized in 1998 with the sole purpose and dedication to build an appropriate tribute to commemorate all members of the armed forces for their sacrifices.
The memorial is to be constructed at the middle of Memorial Gardens, near the Beirut Memorial. Phase I of the project is expected to be completed by spring.
"It will be like the wall in Washington, D.C. and it will be one of the few memorials in the nation that will include all 58,000 names," Horn said.
The estimated cost for the memorial is more than $4 million. The foundation has managed to raise $1 million from proceeds from last year's motorcycle run, sponsorships by Onslow County supporters, private contributions and other fundraisers.
Live music, food and prizes provided by New River Harley Davidson will be waiting for all participants after the event.
Horn said troops today are more gratefully welcomed home from war than Vietnam veterans were 30 years ago - it is time, he added, to give them the respect they deserve.
"Everyone that has contacted me has been grateful, the only remotely negative comment was that it has been long overdue," Horn said. "With Jacksonville's strong connection to military, we needed something to remember them by."
Contact Aniesa Holmes at 910-219-8453 or visit www.jdnews.com to read this story online.
MEMORIAL RIDE INFORMATION
What: Onslow Vietnam Veterans Memorial Motorcycle Run.
When: Saturday, 10 a.m.
Where: Montford Point Road, near Beirut Memorial.
Route: N.C. 24 to N.C. 172 and through Camp Lejeune to Sneads Ferry. Ride ends at Harley-Davidson/Buell on U.S. 17.
Fee: $20 per rider, $10 per passenger.
For info: Call 910-389-0004 or e-mail vietvetmemorial@yahoo.com.
Ellie
Comments | Recommend
Motorcycle run to raise funds for tribute to Onslow Vietnam vets
September 25, 2008 - 12:39AM
ANIESA HOLMES
DAILY NEWS STAFF
A sea of roaring motorcycles will hit the highways to remember America's heroes.
The 2nd annual Onslow Vietnam Veterans Memorial Motorcycle Run will be held Saturday to help raise funds for a local wall honoring those who died in the Vietnam War.
The event is open to all motorcycle riders and will start on Montford Point road near the Beirut Memorial.
Kenji "Kat" Horn of Jacksonville, the current president of the Onslow Vietnam Veterans Memorial Foundation, is expecting big things from this year's event.
"We had about 700 riders last year, and we're expecting at least 1,000 this year," he said.
As the son of a Vietnam veteran and an avid motorcycle enthusiast, Horn noticed the positive trend of motorcycle fundraisers in the area and the military support they received.
"We had a tremendous response (last year) and raised a quite a bit of money with it and it also draws attention to our project," Horn said. "By having something this large it gets their attention and it gets them involved."
The Onslow Vietnam Veterans Memorial Foundation was organized in 1998 with the sole purpose and dedication to build an appropriate tribute to commemorate all members of the armed forces for their sacrifices.
The memorial is to be constructed at the middle of Memorial Gardens, near the Beirut Memorial. Phase I of the project is expected to be completed by spring.
"It will be like the wall in Washington, D.C. and it will be one of the few memorials in the nation that will include all 58,000 names," Horn said.
The estimated cost for the memorial is more than $4 million. The foundation has managed to raise $1 million from proceeds from last year's motorcycle run, sponsorships by Onslow County supporters, private contributions and other fundraisers.
Live music, food and prizes provided by New River Harley Davidson will be waiting for all participants after the event.
Horn said troops today are more gratefully welcomed home from war than Vietnam veterans were 30 years ago - it is time, he added, to give them the respect they deserve.
"Everyone that has contacted me has been grateful, the only remotely negative comment was that it has been long overdue," Horn said. "With Jacksonville's strong connection to military, we needed something to remember them by."
Contact Aniesa Holmes at 910-219-8453 or visit www.jdnews.com to read this story online.
MEMORIAL RIDE INFORMATION
What: Onslow Vietnam Veterans Memorial Motorcycle Run.
When: Saturday, 10 a.m.
Where: Montford Point Road, near Beirut Memorial.
Route: N.C. 24 to N.C. 172 and through Camp Lejeune to Sneads Ferry. Ride ends at Harley-Davidson/Buell on U.S. 17.
Fee: $20 per rider, $10 per passenger.
For info: Call 910-389-0004 or e-mail vietvetmemorial@yahoo.com.
Ellie